McQuaid: Cut Down the Giro and Vuelta, Embrace California

[online-rider]

Pat and Hein know their way to becoming more wealthy and more powerful is through developing the sport in other places where the UCI gets to control the entire product.

Think about it this way, which would the UCI want more,

1. independent race organizations that control the rights to their events and work at arm's length to the UCI. The UCI generates very little revenue in these situations.
2. events where the UCI owns the media rights whose promoters serve at the mercy of the UCI.

Then imagine that the UCI starts scheduling their events opposite the independent race organizations like, say, the Giro 'd Italia? The UCI event wins the war in every case except the Tour de France.

This 'total control' is a signature Weisel/Armstrong strategy.

You're right. Pats taking cycling to the pawn shop to make some quick smash. When, as the Hitch said ^^ us fans would sooner watch a Tour of Bolivia or Tour of Columbia with real cyclists and real fans on the road instead of some over-hyped Tour of California.

However I'm for the idea of a 2 week vuelta. Then you can slide the worlds back to August, Slide the Tour down Under to Feburary and start to clean up this mess we call a cycling calendar.

 

[Arnout]

BEcause globalisation works both ways in this case.

You bring Colombia a gt spot you dont only bring europe to Colombia, you bring COlombia to europe. More colombians will be known to european audiences and will get invited to european races.

I think they would have to have at least half the teams be Latin American. THe other half european. Make it a reward to those teams who have performed well over the season in europe.

By doing this you create a bridge between cyclings 2 bases.

Together cycling will become stronger.

Yeah it will probably be great for globalization. But why globalize? Cycling is good as it is. There are things in life that don't need to change.

 

[Kwibus]

Really for the Tour of California to be a sucessful GT it need only have an 8 day stage race in LasVegas. We already have a captive audience there, the riders would enjoy the sights, no doping would get out of Vegas, we have mock ups of Venice Paris and New York, how can you Euros bash our Haute coultre here in the states. It would be yet another monument for Armstrong, Boonen etc. to hang there hats on....

Ok guys. Stop feeding the troll. I was in doubt, but this post clearly is a troll post.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

pat can go to hell.
he's a cancer to the sport.

But luckily this will never happen.
Abuse of power like this will merely see the PT disband and races work on their own free will. Ultimately leading to less teams racing ToC / TDU etc and not at all 'globalizing' the sport.

 

[auscyclefan94]

pat can go to hell.
he's a cancer to the sport.

But luckily this will never happen.
Abuse of power like this will merely see the PT disband and races work on their own free will. Ultimately leading to less teams racing ToC / TDU etc and not at all 'globalizing' the sport.

You don't like the idea of globilisation of cycling.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

You don't like the idea of globilisation of cycling.

not at all my point.
Obviously globalizing is a good notion, but it shouldn't be at the expense of races like the giro.

My point was, alter races like the giro. Then these races say bye bye to the PT (the giro goes, then so do T-A, MSR etc...) and thus making the PT very thin... it would destroy the PT (not that I for one would care) because these teams want PT status for thier entry into races like previously mentioned... not for automatic entry into the tdu and californa... . And in reality have a negative impact on globalizing the sport. I wonder if as many teams would go to TDU without the PT? Yes some would still go....

I'm all for the concept, but that hack McQuaid is trying to do it in all the wrong ways.

 

[The Hitch]

Yeah it will probably be great for globalization. But why globalize? Cycling is good as it is. There are things in life that don't need to change.

In the case of LAtin America because it is already big on cycling. Your just linking the 2 to make it stronger.

as far as other continents go a far better case can be made against globalisation, but i personally support it because i want to see cycling grow.

Though obviously this proccess needs to be slow and planned, involving a bottom up strategy, and not the Pat mcqaid way - hoping the base comes from the race.

I'm all for the concept, but that hack McQuaid is trying to do it in all the wrong ways.

The wrong way would be if he tried to build up Cali as a future 4th gt.

Suggesting the shortening of BOTH the Giro and the Vuelta is not wrong. Its evil, because even Mcquak knows better.

 

[rhubroma]

Sorry in the US there is little interest in those races(Vuelta,Giro)

No coverage outside of cycling mags and computer cycling geeks. The Vuelta and Giro GTs are absolutly alien to our US culture. If you want to have the sport grow, the markets need to be expanded. Listen to McQuaid.

Sorry but the World and the US are two different things, in case you haven't realized.

Such arrogance is precisely built into a business model of ever expanding market horizons that is litterally killing all the beauty in those regional traditions that makes this lousy life still worth living for. It is also the typically shallow way a certain segment of business Americana has come to view the world, which says that so long as it earns bucks, sells, then to hell with all the rest.

These traditions, however, form a Culture, without which civilization tragically looses part of its soul. And I'm not merely talking about cycling of course. This is what happens when everything, literally everything boils down to an economic consideration. A few get richer, while the rest of the question at stake looses its natural identity. While this sounds rather conservative, it is only in part; because it's not that expaning cycling around the globe is bad per se, just that such development should not come at the expense of the sport's history and traditions in my book.

But as far as cycling goes, the day the Tour of Cali becomes more significant than the Giro or Vuelta is the day cycling has gone beyond its expiration date. And I for one won't bother with watching anymore.

The Tour of Cali is a nice alternative at best, that the Americans can take pride in having. But it is not, and can never be, what the Giro or Vuelta have traditionally meant to this sport.

In light of this McQuaid's position has about as much foresight and class as the seeling points of a used-car salesman. Though this doesn't surprise in the least.

 

[movingtarget]

At least he is consistent. One man, so many idiot ideas. They butchered track cycling by removing traditional events that were extremely important to track fans and competitors. Shortening road stage races won't solve the doping problems. The races will just get faster. What next, removing most of the cobbled sections from the Paris-Roubaix ? It's getting close to Christmas, must be the silly season.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Bravo McQuaid. Not to dis you Europeans but in order to clean the scourge of you no what(prohibited substances) the GTs need to be easier and shorter.
Don't believe me ask a pro rider. I would add smaller teams in GTs also.
Also since cycling is an international sport it is important for the sport to have big races around the globe.
McQuaid is right, look at where the majority of the frames and components are made. Asia, correct? Where are the majority of bicycles sold? USA, North America, South America, Australia.
Cycling is an international sport, we need BIG races internationally.

Tour of Cali is nor big nor important nor illustrous

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Hitch, your hate of cycling is more powerful than my love for cycling. Yes I bow down to thee. I will heckle the start of a stage in the tour of California start in my town(Seaside). Please send me a hate banner so that I can display it in my front window!

I really don't like your stance on this

 

[flicker]

Tour of Cali is nor big nor important nor illustrous

Schleck will be at the 11 ToC race the 2010 tour winner, awarded posthumously. You know Wiggens,Cancellerea and Boonen will be here.
I know it may irk the traditionalists here but for some the ToC will be more than a vacation. For the domestic pros to race with the a for mentioned riders will give US cycling a boost. That is what I really appreciate about Amgen the promoters of the race, sponsors etc.
It gives Americans a chance to ride and learn from top drawer Euro pros.

 

[armstrong4ever]

But as far as cycling goes, the day the Tour of Cali becomes more significant than the Giro or Vuelta is the day cycling has gone beyond its expiration date. And I for one won't bother with watching anymore.

Well, you have watched your last cycling race then Tour of California, or the "4th Grand Tour" is already more significant than the Giro and Vuelta.

These quotes speak for themselves:

"I might even take it a step further by saying it’s second only to the Tour de France.” - Lance Armstrong

"The only race that's more important than the Amgen Tour of California is the Tour de France" - Michael Rogers

"It's definitely the most important race we do in the year" - George Hincapie

 

[Barrus]

Well, you have watched your last cycling race then Tour of California, or the "4th Grand Tour" is already more significant than the Giro and Vuelta.

These quotes speak for themselves:

"I might even take it a step further by saying it’s second only to the Tour de France.” - Lance Armstrong

"The only race that's more important than the Amgen Tour of California is the Tour de France" - Michael Rogers

"It's definitely the most important race we do in the year" - George Hincapie

HAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAha

* breathe in*

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

 

[flicker]

Well, you have watched your last cycling race then Tour of California, or the "4th Grand Tour" is already more significant than the Giro and Vuelta.

These quotes speak for themselves:

"I might even take it a step further by saying it’s second only to the Tour de France.” - Lance Armstrong

"The only race that's more important than the Amgen Tour of California is the Tour de France" - Michael Rogers

"It's definitely the most important race we do in the year" - George Hincapie

You know its true because;

#1 Lance,Michael R., and the smiling one with a small tooth gap don't lie.

#2 Charlie don't surf.

 

[jens_attacks]

=))))))))))))))))))
gtfo! are those quotes for real?
tour of california won't even exist in 3 years from now.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, you have watched your last cycling race then Tour of California, or the "4th Grand Tour" is already more significant than the Giro and Vuelta.

These quotes speak for themselves:

"I might even take it a step further by saying it’s second only to the Tour de France.” - Lance Armstrong

"The only race that's more important than the Amgen Tour of California is the Tour de France" - Michael Rogers

"It's definitely the most important race we do in the year" - George Hincapie

would you like to put the rest of the quotes up rather than just selected wording. Both Rogers and Hincapie were talking from a sponsor persepective, both riding for american teams. Saying what the press wanted to hear and what their sponsors wanted them to say,.

Rogers said "FOR OUR TEAM the only race more...." to the toc press after winning..

Hincapie said "BECAUSE IM AMERICAN its definately....." to the toc press..

I can look on the PRESS PAGE AT THE AMGEN TOUR WEBSITE as well.

 

[kurtinsc]

I'm not one to buy in to all the TOC love. I want US races to thrive, but let's not be stupid and compare it to the GT's. Let's not even compare it to most of the pro-tour races. Maybe it fits in with the Tour Down Under or Tour of Poland somewhere in terms of importance of the race.

All that being said... there is the idea that extremely hard races encourage doping. I'm not sure if I agree with that or not, but at least that argument isn't completely idiotic.

Maybe a 15 stage event with 1 rest day would be better then 20-21 stages with two rest days. I tend to think it best to leave them alone for the most part... but maybe there's some merit to that.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Schleck will be at the 11 ToC race the 2010 tour winner, awarded posthumously. You know Wiggens,Cancellerea and Boonen will be here.
I know it may irk the traditionalists here but for some the ToC will be more than a vacation. For the domestic pros to race with the a for mentioned riders will give US cycling a boost. That is what I really appreciate about Amgen the promoters of the race, sponsors etc.
It gives Americans a chance to ride and learn from top drawer Euro pros.

Yes and Qatar had Cancellara ebh Boonen chicchi Cavendish etc...
Thus Qatar is one of the most challenging and hard races to win

 

[The Hitch]

Schleck will be at the 11 ToC race the 2010 tour winner, awarded posthumously.

That makes no sence.

If Schleck is awarded the Tour posthumously that means he is already dead and hence cant be present at the Tour of California.

If he is to be awarded the title posthumously in the future then that means that he is NOT the 2010 Tour champion and his presence is not that of a Tour champion.

Either way it doesnt make sence.

 

[flicker]

=))))))))))))))))))
gtfo! are those quotes for real?
tour of california won't even exist in 3 years from now.

Respectfully, sir you are a hater. Why would you not want another race on the UCI calandar.

As far as all the people here who hate McQuaid, Armstrong, Bruyneel, Amgen well you have shown your colors.

The Giro can stand on its own two feet without PR or hype. I think that most people who hate the ToC need to ride their bikes.

If you want there are some epic cycling routes here. If you hate the American sponsors who promote European cycling by campaigning international teams you mightwant to write (right?) he sponsors and also tell them that they are not welcome on your sacred traditional races and soil?

Someone old me nOt to walk backwards. That is my advice to the haters here. You are welcome.

 

[The Hitch]

Schleck will be at the 11 ToC race the 2010 tour winner, awarded posthumously.

That makes no sence.

If Schleck is awarded the Tour posthumously that means he is already dead and hence cant be present at the Tour of California.

If he is to be awarded the title posthumously in the future then that means that he is NOT the 2010 Tour champion and his presence is not that of a Tour champion.

Either way it doesnt make sence.

 

[Barrus]

That makes no sence.

If Schleck is awarded the Tour posthumously that means he is already dead and hence cant be present at the Tour of California.

If he is to be awarded the title posthumously in the future then that means that he is NOT the 2010 Tour champion and his presence is not that of a Tour champion.

Either way it doesnt make sence.

I already thought so, but dismissed it as a mistake on my part

Also Hitch, don't delete your posts while I'm quoting them, I thought my pc was acting up again when my quotes did not appear

 

[flicker]

That makes no sence.

If Schleck is awarded the Tour posthumously that means he is already dead and hence cant be present at the Tour of California.

If he is to be awarded the title posthumously in the future then that means that he is NOT the 2010 Tour champion and his presence is not that of a Tour champion.

Either way it doesnt make sence.

Although Contador breathes he has stated that he will quit cycling therefore his career and sponsorship is dead. Astana quit sending him pay checks in August.

Glad you caught my joke but what comes from Contadors' lips these days is a whisper.

 

[Barrus]

Although Contador breathes he has stated that he will quit cycling therefore his career and sponsorship is dead. Astana quit sending him pay checks in August.

Glad you caught my joke but what comes from Contadors' lips these days is a whisper.

Still that has nothing to do with SCHLECK getting the tour win post humously