Landa disrespects contador and Spain

[sartoris]

As many of you know, Mikel Landa hails from Vitoria in the País Vasco (Basque Country) in the north of Spain. There are many Basques, particularly amongst the young people, who don't consider themselves Spanish and hate all things Spanish (funny at least, when they are the most prosperous region of Spain thanks, in part, to a privileged tax system to which the whole of Spain contribute). Let us not forget the 1000 innocent people murdered (the last one only three years ago) by the Basque terrorist group ETA in the name of the Basque independence and "liberation" from Spain ...

Anyway, he FAILED to remove his cap while the Spanish national anthem was blasting through the speakers.

Deliberate? Forgot about it? If the first, I think he's started off his career as an elite rider on the wrong foot. Many Spanish people won't forget that. Twitter and Facebook are on fire. Hope he matures as a cyclist and as a human beign.

Let's hear his response, but at first sight it seems an absolute lack of sportsmanship and respect.

 

[hrotha]

I don't think it was deliberate, but if it was, good for him. Sounds like a perfectly reasonable, dignified and indeed respectful way to send a message.

If Twitter and Facebook are on fire that's because people are morons. Who cares?

 

[Velolover2]

I don't know if this forum is the best to discuss politics and separatism. Maybe that should go to "General".

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

Re:

I don't think it was deliberate, but if it was, good for him. Sounds like a perfectly reasonable, dignified and indeed respectful way to send a message.

If Twitter and Facebook are on fire that's because people are morons. Who cares?

Good post.

 

[ggusta]

Re:

I don't know if this forum is the best to discuss politics and separatism. Maybe that should go to "General".

Agree. It's worth a discussion, but not here, fwiw I tend to remove my cap when hearing the anthem, but it is easy to forget.

Move thread pls

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

What Hrotha said. If it was deliberate, it was a peaceful political gesture.

Go Landa

 

[No_Balls]

Re:

A respectful message would have been to engage in politics or trying to change peoples perception about whatever he feels is wrong with the society. But i am not at all surprised by this given that he comes off as a royal douche overall.

And i think it was deliberate.

 

[burning]

I think that is a perfectly fine way to show your political gesture and I think that he could be sending a message to Astana.

 

[Carols]

I must say that I noticed he didn't seem to respect his own flag. I was thinking 'isn't he Spanish'. Oh well not for this forum I think.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Landa... I like that guy more and more (also to mention the interview he said "could be mine"). I just hope he keeps things in check and won´t have clinic issues.

 

[staubsauger]

I don't get this guy.

If this action was willfully, great behavior. Making a clear statement and showing your intention without any thought about being controversial and bringing up polemics. I quite like that.

But I would've preferred if had shown that mentality on the road before!

I don't want to do any evaluation regarding the Basque versus Spain conflict. But if we bring in ETA, shouldn't we bring in Franco as well?

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Re:

I don't get this guy.

If this action was willfully, great behavior. Making a clear statement and showing your intention without any thought about being controversial and bringing up polemics. I quite like that.

But I would've preferred if had shown that mentality on the road before!

I don't want to do any evaluation regarding the Basque versus Spain conflict. But if we bring in ETA, shouldn't we bring in Franco as well?

You and I know he wanted but wasn´t allowed.

 

[hrotha]

Re:

I must say that I noticed he didn't seem to respect his own flag. I was thinking 'isn't he Spanish'. Oh well not for this forum I think.

Wut. It has nothing to do with "this forum".

 

[Miburo]

Don't see the issue.

 

[staubsauger]

Re:

Don't see the issue.

This!

It's not like he yelled something or was insulting.

But no need to be hypocrite contrariwise.

 

[Jancouver]

Must have been deliberate as he was watching hundreds of people taking their hats off and he got a pretty good view from the podium. If so, good for him.

Or he is just compete moron

 

[robertocarlos]

Aru is not Spanish and had his hat off. Landa should done the same. Contador had his had I hand over his chest, Mikel should've stood like Aru. I am not Catholic but if I step into a church I would take whatever head garment I am wearing, just our if respect even though I am firmly against Catholicism. On the other hand why do organizers in most professional sports keep on playing national anthems? They are professional athletes bit Olympic amateurs.

 

[ILovecycling]

Re:

I must say that I noticed he didn't seem to respect his own flag. I was thinking 'isn't he Spanish'. Oh well not for this forum I think.

This is his flag

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Aru is not Spanish and had his hat off. Landa should done the same. Contador had his had I hand over his chest, Mikel should've stood like Aru. I am not Catholic but if I step into a church I would take whatever head garment I am wearing, just our if respect even though I am firmly against Catholicism. On the other hand why do organizers in most professional sports keep on playing national anthems? They are professional athletes bit Olympic amateurs.

Indeed. He does not have to put his hand on his chest or anything like that but like any other athlete he should pay respect when the national anthem is played. See Aru. He is Italian but removed his hat for the Spanish national anthem. Landa removing his cap would not have meant he feels he is Spanish, it would just show he respects other athletes.
This comes across as a bit childish IMO "look at me I am not taking off my cap because I hate Spain "

 

[Velolover2]

Does the Basque Country even have a national anthem? I know the people of Flanders have De Vlaamse Leeuw.

 

[Metabolol]

Yeah, I noticed that. Didn't like it at all. Very good climber but haven't really made a good impression on me.

 

[SeriousSam]

Good if deliberate. Who cares if not. Poor guy was probably down because he wasn't allowed to ride and felt he could have won the Giro.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

I don't think it was deliberate, but if it was, good for him. Sounds like a perfectly reasonable, dignified and indeed respectful way to send a message.

If Twitter and Facebook are on fire that's because people are morons. Who cares?

Out of interest hrotha from which part of Spain are you? (I seem to remember Catalunya?)

 

[hrotha]

It's not comparable with Aru's reaction, as Italy has no real grievances against Spain. When/if those grievances are resolved, the most radical Basque nationalists will most likely take off their caps without second thought.

I don't think he disrespected Contador, either. It had zero impact on Contador's moment on the podium.

 

[hrotha]

Re: Re:

Out of interest hrotha from which part of Spain are you? (I seem to remember Catalunya?)

Nope, Madrid!
Maybe I should have saved this information for later, though. Spanish nationalists never expect a guy from Madrid to hold my views, so the reveal always throws them off (usually after they've made fools of themselves for a couple of posts ).