Is Alessandro De Marchi a Hero?

[the delgados]

Remember Gino Bartali?
He was the TdF rider who hid forged documents in the frame of his bicycle to help Jews escape persecution and inevitable death during WW2. He is rightly considered a hero to this day.
Alessandro De Marchi is not exactly risking life and limb, but Bartali came to mind when De Marchi announced that he will not support a team sponsored by a country that basically every nation represented in the UN confirms is committing a genocide right before our very eyes.
Those are not just my words: It's a verifiable fact.
It's fun to drop by every now and then to make silly jokes about my man Carlton Kirby, but it's not fun to be banned for introducing a topic of conversation. This will be the third time I've tried to introduce this topic in a respectful manner without getting banned, and I'm not trying to "troll" or taunt anyone. I'm just genuinely curious to learn what people think of the role (if any) that athletes should play in the global political theatre.

 

[Red Rick]

Let's see. He risks nothing to speak out what seems to be an extremely popular opinion.

If Alessandro de Marchi is a hero, the word 'hero' has lost all meaning. And that's not me speaking about politics, that's just saying the modern meaning of the word 'hero' has come to be "guy who did something I approved of"

 

[Tim Cahill]

If anything I respect him less.

You don't get to take the money then start opining after retirement, you can't have it both ways.

Very few sportsmen actually risk anything or put their money where their mouth is with this sort of thing, I'll respect those that do, that's why Ali was so special.

 

[the delgados]

Let's see. He risks nothing to speak out what seems to be an extremely popular opinion.

If Alessandro de Marchi is a hero, the word 'hero' has lost all meaning. And that's not me speaking about politics, that's just saying the modern meaning of the word 'hero' has come to be "guy who did something I approved of"

Oh, don't get me wrong -- he's far from heroic-like status. Like I said, he's risking absolutely nothing by speaking his mind. I think another rider from the same team did something similar in recent days.
I just find it interesting that people like Bartali are considered hero's 80 years after the fact while mere mention of stuff that is going on in real time are taboo subjects. Who knows -- maybe this guy will be considered a hero 100 years from now.
There's nothing heroic about talking about what's going on in the world -- at least it shouldn't be.

 

[the delgados]

If anything I respect him less.

You don't get to take the money then start opining after retirement, you can't have it both ways.

Very few sportsmen actually risk anything or put their money where their mouth is with this sort of thing, I'll respect those that do, that's why Ali was so special.

I see what you're saying: Everyone's gotta make a buck, you know? I don't know when his contract was signed, and I don't know who this rider is, but it would be interesting (and fair) to ask him questions about how and when he shaped his opinion.

 

[Potomac]

Not a hero.

I have never heard him called a hero. So I find the question very odd.

I can only assume the OP believes he is a hero and looking for us to validate his belief in de-marchi's heroism.

 

[the delgados]

Not a hero.

I have never heard him called a hero. So I find the question very odd.

I can only assume the OP believes he is a hero and looking for us to validate his belief in de-marchi's heroism.

I can only assume you haven't read what I wrote.
I already said he is not a hero, adding that it does not take a hero to introduce a conversation.
Any half-wit can introduce a topic of conversation.
What I find odd is you -- a total stranger -- thinks I think I'm a hero for asking a question.
I'm certainly not looking at you -- a total stranger -- for any form of validation.
Please go back and read what I wrote.
Let's stay on topic here.
p.s. I just came back to fix a typo and add that my dog thinks I'm a hero (I think. Maybe the guy is rewarding me for feeding him and taking him for walkies.) and that's all I need to feel heroic. I don't need a rando in the comment section to make me feel important. Main reason being is this is not about me. So yeah, carry on. What do you think about riders talking out about current world events?

 

[Unchained]

If anything I respect him less.

You don't get to take the money then start opining after retirement, you can't have it both ways.

Very few sportsmen actually risk anything or put their money where their mouth is with this sort of thing, I'll respect those that do, that's why Ali was so special.

I often wonder where the world would be if Muhammad Ali had his faculties and was able to speak, express his lifelong message immediately after 9\11. We could have certainly used wisdom and leadership Ali gave most of his life.

There are a few books about Gino Bartali. Don't know if all are translated to English. An outstanding book about Bartali and his life..Road to Valor by Aili and Andres McConnon. It was published in 2012..it was available at my public library 10,12 years ago.. Excellent.
Alessandro de Marchi is a solid bike racer..don't know if surviving @15 years qualified him as a hero. Most of everything he is saying and doing is similar if not identical to exiting professionals that lasted @10-15+ years. Most are saying that everything is more intense, more scientific based, too much data driven racing no feel and that many of the nuanced things in bike racing are fading fast or already gone.. Even things like attacking when someone crashes might end up being a tactic instead of an off limits action. I agree with everyone else about how guys get bold as they see retirement, but the rest of the time ,they sit down, shut up and cash their paycheck.

 

[the delgados]

Talking about how racing has changed over the years is one thing. Refusing to ride for a team due to current geo-political events is something else.
I'm sure everyone here is familiar with Paul Kimmage. When he wrote Rough Ride and blew the lid off rampant doping in the peloton, he was derided by fellow riders and pundits as a pack-fill has-been. Nothing to see here, folks. The guy's just out to get attention.
Something similar is happening here -- i.e. avoiding the actual topic by maligning the person who's speaking.
So far, two riders have spoken out against the team they rode for. It seems that Derek Gee is trying to get out of dodge as well. I don't know the details of his situation, so maybe riding for Israel Premier Tech has nothing to do with it. In any event, he's definitely not washed up.
One day someone will write an in-depth story about what it's like to ride for this team. But as has been mentioned, chances of that happening right now are pretty slim. Not only are riders reluctant to talk, those involved in the sport don't want to talk about it either.
That's a shame.

 

[Netserk]

Remember Gino Bartali?
He was the TdF rider who hid forged documents in the frame of his bicycle to help Jews escape persecution and inevitable death during WW2. He is rightly considered a hero to this day.
Alessandro De Marchi is not exactly risking life and limb, but Bartali came to mind when De Marchi announced that he will not support a team sponsored by a country that basically every nation represented in the UN confirms is committing a genocide right before our very eyes.
Those are not just my words: It's a verifiable fact.
It's fun to drop by every now and then to make silly jokes about my man Carlton Kirby, but it's not fun to be banned for introducing a topic of conversation. This will be the third time I've tried to introduce this topic in a respectful manner without getting banned, and I'm not trying to "troll" or taunt anyone. I'm just genuinely curious to learn what people think of the role (if any) that athletes should play in the global political theatre.

While I'd wish that your post wasn't against the rules, and I would gladly discuss the issue if it wasn't, it is so I won't.

 

[the delgados]

While I'd wish that your post wasn't against the rules, and I would gladly discuss the issue if it wasn't, it is so I won't.

Forgive me, but I don't know what you're not trying to get at. That sentence contains a bunch of double negatives. What issue are you not talking about -- the issue of breaking "rules" or the issue that's the topic of discussion?
Regardless, why don't you want to talk about it?
I think both issues are important, so please, have at it.

 

[kingjr]

Forgive me, but I don't know what you're not trying to get at. That sentence contains a bunch of double negatives. What issue are you not talking about -- the issue of breaking "rules" or the issue that's the topic of discussion?
Regardless, why don't you want to talk about it?
I think both issues are important, so please, have at it.

Neither issue is as important as Carlton Kirby. You above all people should know that.

 

[the delgados]

Neither issue is as important as Carlton Kirby. You above all people should know that.

I respectfully disagree, good sir. Carlton is an icon, for sure. But he's just part of the society of the spectacle. He's a highly amusing part of the spectacle in many ways, but even the most ardent fans sometimes tend to think less of his brilliance and more about current events.
Which leads to the topic of professional athletes and the role they play in real world geo-politics.
Call me boring, but I don't think I'm the only one who is interested in what they have to say. It's also interesting to learn how people interpret what they say.
We've all heard the brilliant commentary of my man Carlton Kirby for years. Surely you don't think he's more interesting than current geo-political events, do you?