Do You Care If Your Favourite Cyclist Is a "Nice Person"??

[SirLes]

There are times when Cavendish has been a total ***. But there are other times he's been a rock and a true friend - just ask Jonny Bellis.

People's "real life" personalities are often a lot more nuanced than their "professional" personalities.

Very true and time now for this discussion to get philosophical as we can debate what consitutes "good", "evil" and of course "nice".
We can also analyse the complex nature of peoples' personalities and whether any of us are in a position to judge the worthiness of others.

We know that it makes life more interesting to have heroes and villians, goodies and baddies and the media do their best to provide them. What is fun about a relatively international forum like this is that national allegencies and the different portrail of riders in different countries allows riders to be both goodies and baddies at the same time. Plus the natural reaction of many on here to automatically take an opposite view to the one they know the media is trying to encourage adds to the fun.

 

[woodenswan]

Very true and time now for this discussion to get philosophical as we can debate what consitutes "good", "evil" and of course "nice".
We can also analyse the complex nature of peoples' personalities and whether any of us are in a position to judge the worthiness of others.

We know that it makes life more interesting to have heroes and villians, goodies and baddies and the media do their best to provide them. What is fun about a relatively international forum like this is that national allegencies and the different portrail of riders in different countries allows riders to be both goodies and baddies at the same time. Plus the natural reaction of many on here to automatically take an opposite view to the one they know the media is trying to encourage adds to the fun.

love your signature

 

[Boeing]

I say no but my most recent run in was at TOC and TJ's fiance was at the podium joking about how she is is "agent" and wants $ for autographs to a nice old couple who rode a tandem to the top of Baldy and asked for his sig and he didnt apologize for her. Still dig his riding but that left a dirty taste although he was spent Iam sure

If they are diks in person out on the town like not tipping etc then I care. If they are still punch drunk after an hour of aerobic threshold at the end of a long stage then they get a pass

 

[Mambo95]

I would also note that often some posters on this forum and others criticise riders for not giving another rider 'respect', due to some minor perceived slight. These posters are usually the ones that pour the most scorn and bile on riders.

My point is, that those that demand a rider is 'nice' are rarely particularly 'nice' themselves.

 

[williamp78]

I think you can fully appreciate a rider (or any sportsperson) without ever having to know them but to become a "fan" then you need to them a bit.

I for example am a fan of geraint thomas having followed his career from his early TdF with barloworld through to his time with team sky via beijing inbetween. He hasn't won many races on the road (though that olympic gold medal is pretty impressive!) but he seems like a real dead-on bloke in interviews (ned boulting references it in his new ebook), on his bbc blog, on his own website (including his videos) and on twitter. I wouldn't be as big a fan, or be able to root for him as much if it weren't for knowing him even just a little.

 

[DenisMenchov]

Yes, I do. Although when I became a fan of Alberto I wasn't aware of what kind of person he is, but if he had been a jerk, I would've forgotten about him a long time ago.

He is a jerk.

 

[Le breton]

I don't expect anyone to be nice in a race (or any sport event) or for about an hour after it. In fact, I prefer it if they're a little nasty in competition.

.

When I was about 16, I rode my bike some 40 km just to encourage one of my cousins - abit older than me - who was racing locally. I really liked the guy, he was always so nice, gentle, considerate.

As a racer however he wasn't very successful, unlike his father whom I am told used to win most of the events he entered.

When I reached the course I was so surprised : my cousin was in the lead with 3 other guys! Hard to believe.

So, I started shouting encouragement as he went by, just to be yelled back at to go hell and leave him alone.

Which I did, I left and rode my 40 km back.

 

[42x16ss]

After the Bilbao stage of the 2011 Vuelta, every rider decided that after 4 hours of riding in circa 40º heat, thanklessly for most, with just two days left of racing and with the team buses all parked up in an area with no shade in sight, getting on the bus, cleaning up and so on were the priorities. The fans could come see them in the morning; posing for photos, talking to fans, signing autographs and facing that unbearable heat was of no interest to any of the riders. Except one. That one was Amets Txurruka.

That's awesome

Yet another reason to love the little guy!

 

[Fatclimber]

I only care that they are portrayed as being nice, not that they really are. And righteous too. That's very important for racing a bike. Because, of course, athletes are role models.

 

[42x16ss]

All I ask from a rider is that they are capable of behaving in a sportsmanlike manner and don't need to inflict their ego/attitude onto the media/fans/competitors. I also have added respect for those riders who take the little bit of extra effort to acknowledge the fans and supporters - especially the kids.

I've been a fan of Simon Gerrans for a while now after he spent about 45 minutes signing autographs and taking photos with fans after a round of the Jayco Bay Series. The conditions were ridiculously hot and the race was FAST but he still took the time.

 

[RedheadDane]

I don't think is about being "nice" - Is all about being "genuine/authentic & sincere" rather than a two-faced person playing "nice" for the public/media while being a despicable human being in his actions.

Yeah.

There are times when Cavendish has been a total ***. But there are other times he's been a rock and a true friend - just ask Jonny Bellis.

Oh yeah. What was it sleeping under his bed? At least that was what Johnny Bellis thought.
Didn't Cav get some critique for not being in form that spring? With a lot of people not realizing that he'd been too worried about his friend to train proberly?

 

[LaFlorecita]

He is a jerk.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Lol, good one.

 

[airstream]

Of course, I do. That's why I root for the guy who has no fear to be misunderstood by the evil tongues and treat reservedly his main opponent who is a pathological liar.

 

[Havetts]

Of course, I do. That's why I root for the guy who has no fear to be misunderstood by the evil tongues and treat reservedly his main opponent who is a pathological liar.

Nice

 

[Maxiton]

I like how the poll is right now split down the middle (27/27). I voted "Yes", but the answer really depends on what's meant by "nice".

If nice means always pleasant and polite and careful of others' feelings even on the field of play, then no - in fact I'd prefer my cycling heroes not be that way. But I assume "nice person" means fundamentally decent, fair-minded and not corrupt - or only nominally corrupt - but still tough and still able to give as good as they get. In which case - if it does mean that - then, yeah, I do care.

 

[boomcie]

My two favorite riders, male and female:

So yeah, I guess I care.

 

[greenedge]

Earlier i would have said yes but Cadel seems to have matured a bit more, so no.

 

[personal]

I hope the thread title makes this obvious enough.

Yes.
Actually, it is the most important thing.

 

[auscyclefan94]

The fact that I have met my favourite rider confirms that I do care if they are a nice person. I can confirm that rider is a nice person.

 

[Swifty's Cakes]

When Cav gives the V-sign and Cadel threatens to cut peoples head off I like them more for showing some character.
They aren't my friends so I'm not bothered if they behave like prima donnas to the people that surrond them.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Obviously, i can only support a person, who i like.
I could never route for someone whom i don't like as a person. I mean of course from what i see on tele ect. I can't really know if they are nice persons. But i think everyone forms himself an opinion about somebody. And i only can support people who i think are good guys.
Frankly looks play a certain role, too. I can't imagine to be a fan of somebody who doesn't have a sympathetic face/look. I know that's superfiacial but it's the way it is. Both for male as well as for female athletes.

 

[auscyclefan94]

When Cav gives the V-sign and Cadel threatens to cut peoples head off I like them more for showing some character.They aren't my friends so I'm not bothered if they behave like prima donnas to the people that surrond them.

You clearly do not understand sarcasm but that's alright. I don't think he would need someone like you as a friend. Even though Cadel received bad press from that comment he still made a joke about it by selling t-shirts with that comment printed on the front. The money went to charity.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Obviously, i can only support a person, who i like.
I could never route for someone whom i don't like as a person.

Yeah, same here.

Sometimes, I see a rider race and I think; "Hey, that's a great rider" but then I find out he's a jerk and then I just drop him.

 

[Wiesmier]

I like to like riders. But I also like them to have character - not speal some corporate-speak.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Of course, I do. That's why I root for the guy who has no fear to be misunderstood by the evil tongues and treat reservedly his main opponent who is a pathological liar.

LOL!
Airstream, your posts never fail to make me chuckle.

Thank you.