Figueira Champions Classic - Casino Figueira 2026 (Feb 14)

[Salvarani]

Yeah, in the absence of very clear evidence in any direction, that's a fair position to have. So we'll just have different views. I just refuse to completely believe that with the time investment required for following cycling as opposed to, say, a Usain Bolt 100m, there aren't a lot of people who aren't terribly excited to watch someone that regularly makes the sport look like a grown-up racing against children without any obvious advantage other than somehow going a lot faster.

I think it is human nature that a lot of people want to watch someone because they are great at what they do. A lot of sports have had stars like that or have stars like that currently. That has generated interest.

Just as I think it is human nature for people to grow resentment towards a team or someone winning a lot.

Was just my assumption. I might have over-interpreted your Pog enthusiasm during races.

Thats neither nor there on just discussing this matter, since it is much broader imo.

 

[Red Rick]

both of those are wildly off

san valentino had massive moves in gc, and the whole race suddenly felt far more alive

alone what yates did there was better than those two stages put together

Again arguing perception is everything.

We can stop pretending what happens on the road actually matters.

 

[Salvarani]

Now on the other hand there are definitely people who partly watch for the biggest starts, the people you don't want to watch cycling with cause the keep asking "where is Woutje" or "where is Mathieu", they don't know a lot of other riders. But again, take these stars out of the sport and they would still watch, cause they watch because of cycling, not because of the riders. Stars are made.

Of course Pogacar for example has made the sport way more popular in certain countries, like ofc Slovenia. But that's different.

I dont think its given they would watch or that they would have started an interest in the first place, if not for something or someone sparking it at one point.

 

[Netserk]

Again arguing perception is everything.

We can stop pretending what happens on the road actually matters.

do you want to count attacks (very different numbers, not comparable)

count time gaps?

what physically happened on the road between the main contenders were worlds apart

 

[Squire]

I think it is human nature that a lot of people want to watch someone because they are great at what they do. A lot of sports have had stars like that or have stars like that currently. That has generated interest.

Just as I think it is human nature for people to grow resentment towards a team or someone winning a lot.

I don't really need to discuss this infinitely, as I think both can see each other's points, but I'll just say that in my eyes there is a huge difference between sports in terms of what having one big star who's great at what they do does to the entertainment value. The problem with cycling and I guess some other endurance sports is that by far the most important factor is quite a constant and not very changeable one, so when that is very skewed, it can take away more from the competition aspect of the sport than what's the case with a lot of other sports.

Personally I like pretty much all cyclists, and ones that I favour slightly have come from both the dominant and outsider categories. But who I cheer for at any given time mostly depends on the specific race situation. So for me the only resentment is towards a boring race, not necessarily the riders being responsible for that boring race. Of course I notice there's a lot of 'my dad is stronger than your dad' on the forum, as in all sports. But I just want interesting and entertaining races where things are in the balance in some way, and not foregone conclusions. But I also resent artificial attempts at creating suspense. If someone is dominant, then that's just how it is. Just to add a perspective from someone whose interest is very not star-dependent.

Today's Figueira Classic was a great example of a very fun and interesting race, even if the pre-race favourite won.

 

[Samamba]

I dont think its given they would watch or that they would have started an interest in the first place, if not for something or someone sparking it at one point.

I mean they are Flemish, you don't start watching cycling because of some cyclist, it's cause it's on the tv in the background at every family gathering

 

[Red Rick]

do you want to count attacks (very different numbers, not comparable)

count time gaps?

what physically happened on the road between the main contenders were worlds apart

Attacks with or without substance? Cause without substance those Pirazzi Giro's were awesome.

 

[Salvarani]

Just to add a perspective from someone whose interest is very not star-dependent.

I dont disagree with you.

My point was just that one has to be careful that it is a perspective that "everybody" holds and one is probably in a minority in the grand scheme of things here.

 

[Squire]

I dont disagree with you.

My point was just that one has to be careful that it is a perspective that "everybody" holds and one is probably in a minority in the grand scheme of things here.

Yeah, I got involved here pretty much because I was countering that exact argument going in the other direction.

 

[Netserk]

Attacks with or without substance? Cause without substance those Pirazzi Giro's were awesome.

you get to set the bar.

how many times did yates attack towards san valentino?

 

[Samamba]

I completely forgot Morgado is only 1 year older than Widar and same age as Marti, still so young.