UCI World Championships 2010, Geelong: Early Thread

[Ferminal]

The worst thing that could happen to bike racing in Australia is for it to be accepted by the mainstream audience.

I'm not sure I could cope... Whenever I read an article in the local or national rag about cycling I just have to roll my eyes. Same whenever it gets a mention on the TV news.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

I only read about this the other day, nothing has been said here. I wonder what it will do to team cohesion on the road.

My guess it will help those in smaller teams - like the Cav - because the large teams won't be able to help each other as much - especially they'll need to stay compact just to communicate with each other.

Maybe the larger teams will help each other dominate the race by sharing information the get by going back and forth between groups.

 

[sublimit]

The worst thing that could happen to bike racing in Australia is for it to be accepted by the mainstream audience.

Track riders are slightly more mainstream here, Sir Chris Hoy,Victoria Pendelton, Boardman and one or 2 others are vaguely known by a small amount of the population because of the Olympics, but road racing goes over the heads of virtually everybody here. I reckon its quite neat..

 

[Spare Tyre]

So i hear the WC are going to be upstaged by some other match.

Anyone else see the irony?

Our thing, cycling is quite used to getting upstaged by bigger sports (fanbase wise). Football, F1 and Tennis.

And yet here, the world championships are given to Australia, and the sport will now be upstaged, for once, by a sport smaller than itself

Australian rules football. I mean, what the hell is that


Sad in a way isnt it.

Geez, you're obviously not a Melburnian. People here grow up breathing AFL. It's in the blood -- look at what being a Collingwood fan has done to ACF94 -- and you have to work at avoiding knowledge of it if you're not interested, because it is never out of the news.

I don't think anyone other than cycling fans have an interest in the cycling WCs, and having a footy grand final on the same weekend doesn't change that.

 

[The Hitch]

Geez, you're obviously not a Melburnian. People here grow up breathing AFL. It's in the blood -- look at what being a Collingwood fan has done to ACF94 -- and you have to work at avoiding knowledge of it if you're not interested, because it is never out of the news.

I don't think anyone other than cycling fans have an interest in the cycling WCs, and having a footy grand final on the same weekend doesn't change that.

Relax. I know what AFL is, its on Eurosport 2 now and again. And its equivalent in this country, by which i mean the sport which takes up all the newspapers, all the news time, etc is soccer.

To be honest, i would much prefer a sport like AFL to be what kids aspired to in this country rather than scum, stone stupid, weak, cheating footballers.

So, just so we are clear, i have nothing against AFL. I just feel ive read this story too many times.

 

[auscyclefan94]

It's a bit ****ed with the draw in the AFL. Still its only the 60k Collywobble bogans who'll be interested and I don't think any of them know what a bike is.

Oh and over here in the West, the World Championsihps have recieved ZERO coverage.

I resent that comment especially when I do know what a bike is!!!! i think yesterday on the 6pm news we got 30 seconds of news on it at the end of the sport with them talking to cadel, cadel laughing and cadel riding around the circuit.

I'm not sure I could cope... Whenever I read an article in the local or national rag about cycling I just have to roll my eyes. Same whenever it gets a mention on the TV news.

Especially when 90% of the writers who actually write about cycling already in the australian media don't have a clue what they are talking about and spurt out blabber to their audiences.

 

[battery89]

So this is the coverage the race is getting in the local newspaper:

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/09/25/213651_news.html

And no coverage at all in the sports section

 

[The Hitch]

While we are talking about how little coverage the race is getiting, on the + side, our thing always gets huge crowds. Who cares what the media does or doesnt thing about the race if come mens rr day, hundreds of thousands of fans are packing the course.

I barely knew the Tour of Britain was on and im a _ cycling fan in Britain. And yet, when i watched the highlights today, there were thousands on every stage.

This is the world championships. Regardless of whether the press decide to cover it or not, there will be millions of people who do care ( and not all of them relations to Cadel Evans )

 

[Ferminal]

You guys are forgetting the power of Cadel's mighty win, it's been pumped quite hard, people have known about this for a year.

In other news, the Turnbull Stakes Group 1 has been moved from Saturday to Sunday.

 

[easytiger]

I resent that comment especially when I do know what a bike is!!!!

Pity you don't know much about footy - supporting the Magpies!

I just watched Robbie's video riding the circuit, and though the first climb will be brutal, the second one will make the selection so I will be at the top of Queens Park Rd next Sunday.

I will be in my armchair offering advice to anyone not listening about who is going to win and why, and perhaps you and I can relive the Colliewobbles glorious failure to win the replay.

Why is that everybody says I support my team and anyone that plays Collingwood?

 

[Stuart]

So this is the coverage the race is getting in the local newspaper: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/09/25/213651_news.html And no coverage at all in the sports section

And read the comments on this piece. That is why the World's should never have staged in the Bogan central city of Geelong. Most of the locals appear to be fully paid up red-necks whose favourite pastimes are drinking beer, fighting, racing their cars on the street and running over cyclists (check how many deaths there's been in that area over the last 3-5 years).

The World's should have been staged in Adelaide or somewhere in SA as they have the background with the TDU and a population that embraces cycling, unlike the Geelong locals who hate anything not petrol powered to be on the road. I would have gone to the World's from Sydney if they'd not been in Geelong but no way would I waste money on going to a place so unreceptive to cycling - I wouldn't want to give them my money.

And now we have a replay of the AFL final on the Sat to compete against - the sport that only one country in the world plays. CA should be kicked hard for thinking Geelong was a good idea.

 

[hoolaparara]

So this is the coverage the race is getting in the local newspaper:

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/09/25/213651_news.html

And no coverage at all in the sports section

I went out to look at the bridge because of all the talk and frankly it is a big mess but I did pick up yesterdays advertiser.

As well as Mark Cavendish on the front page and the article on red lights, page 4 was a story by a local rider who got invited to join the french on a training ride, page 5 was another map of places to be as well as a sidebar with 8 short news items.

In the sport section there was a story about Porte saying Cancellara wasn't a shoe in and a story on who will be the australian best chance.

oh and I loved the irony of the banners across the fencing through parts of the circuit with Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne all over them...

(btw I just checked The Age and found nothing from that event home paper.. oops small bit I thought was golf is actually there).

 

[auscyclefan94]

And read the comments on this piece. That is why the World's should never have staged in the Bogan central city of Geelong. Most of the locals appear to be fully paid up red-necks whose favourite pastimes are drinking beer, fighting, racing their cars on the street and running over cyclists (check how many deaths there's been in that area over the last 3-5 years).

The World's should have been staged in Adelaide or somewhere in SA as they have the background with the TDU and a population that embraces cycling, unlike the Geelong locals who hate anything not petrol powered to be on the road. I would have gone to the World's from Sydney if they'd not been in Geelong but no way would I waste money on going to a place so unreceptive to cycling - I wouldn't want to give them my money.

And now we have a replay of the AFL final on the Sat to compete against - the sport that only one country in the world plays. CA should be kicked hard for thinking Geelong was a good idea.

If you don't want the race to be in bogan central then you certainly would not have it in a backwater like Adelaide. I think your comment about Geelong is a bit harsh.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Just on radio:
Organisers have said that they are very annoyed about the result of the grand Final and that it is not good news for their event due to the lack of publicity now

 

[battery89]

I went out to look at the bridge because of all the talk and frankly it is a big mess but I did pick up yesterdays advertiser.

As well as Mark Cavendish on the front page and the article on red lights, page 4 was a story by a local rider who got invited to join the french on a training ride, page 5 was another map of places to be as well as a sidebar with 8 short news items.

In the sport section there was a story about Porte saying Cancellara wasn't a shoe in and a story on who will be the australian best chance.

oh and I loved the irony of the banners across the fencing through parts of the circuit with Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne all over them...

(btw I just checked The Age and found nothing from that event home paper.. oops small bit I thought was golf is actually there).

Well sounds like the print edition is doing it alright then.. probably the best you can expect! I was just disappointed after looking at their website.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Well sounds like the print edition is doing it alright then.. probably the best you can expect! I was just disappointed after looking at their website.

That is the Geelong newspaper not the main Newspaper in melbourne which is the Herald Sun.

 

[battery89]

Yeah I know I was referring to the Advertiser after seeing their online comments, etc. I know the Herald Sun are generally really good with cycling.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Yeah I know I was referring to the Advertiser after seeing their online comments, etc. I know the Herald Sun are generally really good with cycling.

Their alright (Herald Sun) but Ron Reed and Leo Schlinck don't really know the sport well enough and make quite a few basic errors.

Their are two really good aussie cycling journo's imo:
1. Matt Keenan
2. Rupert Guinness

The rest are either mediocre or crap.

 

[53 x 11]

If you don't want the race to be in bogan central then you certainly would not have it in a backwater like Adelaide. I think your comment about Geelong is a bit harsh.

Once again you have not wasted an opportunity to be racist, xenophobic, ignorant or stupid. I'm surprised you can stay alive in this world with the attitude you display.

I not longer post much in this forum as it appears that all I can read is your stupidity, ignorance and petty *****ing about how others has wronged you or your little heros.

I know there are plenty of others in this place who have had enough of you and I would strongly urge you to think though your frenzied typing before hitting the submit button.

 

[woodie]

Hey guys, Im coming to the world champs and im thinking of bringing my bike. Are many other people bringing theirs?

 

[Galic Ho]

Once again you have not wasted an opportunity to be racist, xenophobic, ignorant or stupid. I'm surprised you can stay alive in this world with the attitude you display.

I not longer post much in this forum as it appears that all I can read is your stupidity, ignorance and petty *****ing about how others has wronged you or your little heros.

I know there are plenty of others in this place who have had enough of you and I would strongly urge you to think though your frenzied typing before hitting the submit button.

Give it a rest princess. Still pulling your pants down in front of old men and asking for a kiss? You really are a glutton for punishment. What racist or xenophobic comments? You don't like ACF94, get over it. Suck it up princess. He had a right to comment because Stuart is being a hypocritical git.

And read the comments on this piece. That is why the World's should never have staged in the Bogan central city of Geelong. Most of the locals appear to be fully paid up red-necks whose favourite pastimes are drinking beer, fighting, racing their cars on the street and running over cyclists (check how many deaths there's been in that area over the last 3-5 years).

The World's should have been staged in Adelaide or somewhere in SA as they have the background with the TDU and a population that embraces cycling, unlike the Geelong locals who hate anything not petrol powered to be on the road. I would have gone to the World's from Sydney if they'd not been in Geelong but no way would I waste money on going to a place so unreceptive to cycling - I wouldn't want to give them my money.

And now we have a replay of the AFL final on the Sat to compete against - the sport that only one country in the world plays. CA should be kicked hard for thinking Geelong was a good idea.

Wow champ, a new low. You advertise a comment section for a newspaper where you left your own little mark. Had enough ranting on two pieces? WTF are you on about? So what, some locals left some nasty comments. It is Australia, rot like that happens on Sydney papers commentary sections every day. Sydney is just as bad if not worse for Bogans and attitudes to cyclists...deal with it. You and 53x11 are being too sensitive. Man up and quit your *****in.

Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia. It is the end of footy season for the two primary football codes. The WC are always on this time of year. They were always going to distract non cycling fans away from the cycling. The course is irrelevant, it is not a mess and nobody will be run over. Hit a cyclist and face a manslaughter charge. Common sense people. Melbourne is the best choice. Adelaide is exclusively an AFL city that also has a crush on petrol guzzling race cars. They have the Sandown 500 and anyone who knows a thing about the V8 Supercar Series knows only bogans follow it. Adelaide too has bogans. Hop in your car and drive to Bathurst in a fortnight and you can meet 60K of them in full force. Your choice is arguably worse for bogans than Melbourne is. Melbourne is a multi-lateral sport loving city. Tennis, F1, all footy codes, swimming and cycling.

It is however great to see you here voicing your hatred. Why did you appear now from the woodwork? Why not months back? Wasn't Geelong a problem then? Be honest, did someone beat you up in Geelong? Did you get mugged there? You ex a Geelong native? Anyone who would like a list of the *** holes in Sydney packed with bogans, feel free to drop me a line, I'll gladly fill you in.

Financially speaking, Melbourne is the best bet for CA...the Victorian govt isn't skint. If you want to blame someone for SA not getting this race, look at the vampire who leeches blood, epo and money wherever he can...LA. Blame him and his private appearance fee for the TDU. That money alone could have swayed the organising committee to consider SA. The race would have been picked based primarily on money alone and resources. Melbourne is the smartest bet. After that, the Gold Coast/Brisbane. SA gets a look in at maybe 4th spot...they were never getting this race.

 

[easytiger]

Give it a rest princess. Still pulling your pants down in front of old men and asking for a kiss? You really are a glutton for punishment. What racist or xenophobic comments? You don't like ACF94, get over it. Suck it up princess. He had a right to comment because Stuart is being a hypocritical git.

Not to bring personalities or sexual orientation into the conversation! What exactly does any of what you say have anything to do with the topic?

Wow champ, a new low. You advertise a comment section for a newspaper where you left your own little mark. Had enough ranting on two pieces? WTF are you on about? So what, some locals left some nasty comments. It is Australia, rot like that happens on Sydney papers commentary sections every day. Sydney is just as bad if not worse for Bogans and attitudes to cyclists...deal with it. You and 53x11 are being too sensitive. Man up and quit your *****in.

I don't think he is the only one (where's that mirror?) who wants people to read what he has to say?

Financially speaking, Melbourne is the best bet for CA...the Victorian govt isn't skint. If you want to blame someone for SA not getting this race, look at the vampire who leeches blood, epo and money wherever he can...LA. Blame him and his private appearance fee for the TDU. That money alone could have swayed the organising committee to consider SA. The race would have been picked based primarily on money alone and resources. Melbourne is the smartest bet. After that, the Gold Coast/Brisbane. SA gets a look in at maybe 4th spot...they were never getting this race.

Correct me if I'm wrong but what Pro Tour event does Melbourne host? And before you start your rantfest on me, check on your facts about how much money LA brought into the South Australian and Adelaide economies. I think he is a w@nker, but he has a lot of pulling power.

The only thing that I regretfully agree with you about is that there are bogans everywhere. And regretfully I sympathise with some of those bogans from Geelong. Driving from Kangarilla to Willunga during the TDU, I got stuck behind a group of about 50 foreign cyclists hogging the road, riding over the centreline, and generally not giving a flying f*ck who was behind them and what effect they were having on the queue of traffic lined up behind them. And before you say I am a xenophobe - those cyclists were all Australian - they were foreign to SA, namely from Sydney or Melbourne, I could tell from their jerseys. It was like the cycling version of yobbos on a Contiki holiday overseas.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Once again you have not wasted an opportunity to be racist, xenophobic, ignorant or stupid. I'm surprised you can stay alive in this world with the attitude you display.

I not longer post much in this forum as it appears that all I can read is your stupidity, ignorance and petty *****ing about how others has wronged you or your little heros.

I know there are plenty of others in this place who have had enough of you and I would strongly urge you to think though your frenzied typing before hitting the submit button.

So Stuart can make comments about Geelong being a place full of bogans but I can't about South Australia? Complete Hypocrite. I think you need to get your facts right before you make a complete fool of yourself.

When was South Australia a race?

I just wish I was perfect as you are!

 

[Tuarts]

Once again you have not wasted an opportunity to be racist, xenophobic, ignorant or stupid. I'm surprised you can stay alive in this world with the attitude you display.

I not longer post much in this forum as it appears that all I can read is your stupidity, ignorance and petty *****ing about how others has wronged you or your little heros.

I know there are plenty of others in this place who have had enough of you and I would strongly urge you to think though your frenzied typing before hitting the submit button.

Leave him alone. If his username is correct then he's only a kid (16). You know what teens these days are like these days so I think its more of a case of more nurture then ridicule and take what he says with a grain of salt.

 

[53 x 11]

Leave him alone. If his username is correct then he's only a kid (16). You know what teens these days are like these days so I think its more of a case of more nurture then ridicule and take what he says with a grain of salt.

He/She claims to be 25. Old enough to know better.