Voeckler: nine out of ten riders don't like me...

[Benotti69]

Chapeau Voekler, nothing like upsetting the peloton.

Boohoo the peloton.

As for hogging the camera, has he got a GoPro on his handle bars and the controls to the broadcast????

He gives good TV and entertainment and fans dont like it. WTF!!

 

[El Pistolero]

Thomas Degendt is an entertaining attacking rider. Voeckler is the one sucking his wheel till it's time to sprint.

 

[B_Ugli]

I have to say that I used to find him a tad annoying and still do (mainly because he pedals like he has square cranks and pulls stupid faces).

Having said that he has done very well in recent years and his attacking and clever riding style have one him over many who were previously sceptics. He probably wouldnt have such attacking freedom in a bigger team. I wonder what he would have done in the Tour last year had he conserved his energy in the first week?

Boonen top rider but he has a track record for intimidating lesser riders into not attacking. I think there was a stage of the Tour of Britain where he did similar to a UK rider.

 

[Boeing]

This is progress at an international level. typically the French have no idea how the rest of the world views them.

 

[LugHugger]

This is progress at an international level. typically the French have no idea how the rest of the world views them.

Coming from an American, that's deliciously ironic

 

[Microchip]

I like him. I particularly like that he looks like he's making a great effort. Plus I've gotta support my Caribbean cyclists!! (Well, he had a start here in the Caribbean!)

 

[pmcg76]

I can see why he'd be a "controversial" figure in the peloton, but I don't see why I, as a fan, should really be all that interested in the peloton's views. I want entertainment and Voeckler, precisely because of his showboating and annoying (to his colleagues) attacks, is entertaining. Plus, the previously mentioned stuff about him being primarily responsible for saving an endangered team.

Similarly, I doubt if Hoogerland is all that popular a guy to have in a break with you. You know he's going to pull some idiotic attack at a point where the break's interests are best served by continuing to work together. But he's entertaining to watch, so really, why would I care if the other riders are happy about his presence?

Agreed, the peloton never likes riders who attack a lot, they are viewed as stupid and attention seekers. Jacky Durand was not exactly popular within the peloton either but liked by fans.

Somebody mentioned Millar and Hinault earlier but that was early in Millar's career when he was a young rider, he head learned the ropes well later in his career. I remember he declared Peter DeClercq as the most stupid rider in the peloton. De Clercq was another rider who liked to attack a lot and do crazy things.

What about Paul Kimmage complaining about Eduardo Chozas attacking early in the Tour mountain stages "stupid Spanish ******* who does this every years, attacks early on a tough mountain stage when everyone wants to take it easy"

Yes the peloton hates them but we as fans should really appreciate them as they makes races far more entertaining. I am not at all surprised that Voeckler is so unpopular within the peloton especially when there is an anti-French vibe at the best of times.

 

[Froome19]

I read in cyclesport a couple of months ago a whole interview with Voeckler where he related how he races and all his tactics and the truth is that the guy is an absolute genius. His techniques and tips on attacking and outgunning your opponents in close situations were amazing and it explains as well why other riders might not like him because though they deserve to win, Voeckler out manourveres them and though they had the strength they don't have the brains.
Reading his interview also really made me appreciate cycling and how it truly is a sport for the tactician in "played" right.
In short the guy is a true ambassador of cycling due to his effort, down to earthiness and his incredible tactical acumen.

 

[Cobblestoned]

Always liked him.
Until July 2011.

When he immediately attack after you could see some his companions were flying through the air.
When he pushed definition of drama and overacting to a whole new level when riding in yellow. Compared to the good act that was the exhausted Kohl in the barriers, Voeckler really earned himself a Golden Raspberry Award.

 

[hatcher]

Agreed, the peloton never likes riders who attack a lot, they are viewed as stupid and attention seekers. Jacky Durand was not exactly popular within the peloton either but liked by fans.

Somebody mentioned Millar and Hinault earlier but that was early in Millar's career when he was a young rider, he head learned the ropes well later in his career. I remember he declared Peter DeClercq as the most stupid rider in the peloton. De Clercq was another rider who liked to attack a lot and do crazy things.

What about Paul Kimmage complaining about Eduardo Chozas attacking early in the Tour mountain stages "stupid Spanish ******* who does this every years, attacks early on a tough mountain stage when everyone wants to take it easy"

Yes the peloton hates them but we as fans should really appreciate them as they makes races far more entertaining. I am not at all surprised that Voeckler is so unpopular within the peloton especially when there is an anti-French vibe at the best of times.

But Vino seems to be one of the most popular riders in the peloton.

I'm not sure it's so much the attacking that's the issue, it's what goes on after the attack. As mentioned up thread he has a reputation for not doing his share in breaks, except for when the camera bike is there. Whether that reputation is fair or not I'm not sure, but that's the thing with reputations.

 

[Poursuivant]

But Vino seems to be one of the most popular riders in the peloton.

I'm not sure it's so much the attacking that's the issue, it's what goes on after the attack. As mentioned up thread he has a reputation for not doing his share in breaks, except for when the camera bike is there. Whether that reputation is fair or not I'm not sure, but that's the thing with reputations.

Probably because Vino pays them so handsomely.

I like Voeckler, he is great entertainment, and animates races.

 

[Michele]

Attacking your escape group after 2 of your escape-mates just got into an accident for try to win the stage etc cannot make you popular among the peloton.

 

[theyoungest]

I read in cyclesport a couple of months ago a whole interview with Voeckler where he related how he races and all his tactics and the truth is that the guy is an absolute genius. His techniques and tips on attacking and outgunning your opponents in close situations were amazing and it explains as well why other riders might not like him because though they deserve to win, Voeckler out manourveres them and though they had the strength they don't have the brains.
Reading his interview also really made me appreciate cycling and how it truly is a sport for the tactician in "played" right.
In short the guy is a true ambassador of cycling due to his effort, down to earthiness and his incredible tactical acumen.

And he wonders why his colleagues don't like him? Of course he knows, he probably just doesn't like to admit that most of his wins are "stolen" (i.e. achieved through the effort of others).

That's perfectly legitimate in road racing, of course, but don't expect to be popular with your colleagues whilst racing like that.

 

[Red Rick]

Haha, good job Boonen.

Yeah, +1 for Boonen for me too. Voeckler is just a bad actor, who happens to be a cyclist, and because the those damn patriotic french usually have no one to support for the gc.

His attack after Hoogerland fell in the barbed wires was just aweful sportmanship. I was cursing the tour everyday he remained in yellow.

 

[luv2ride]

And he wonders why his colleagues don't like him? Of course he knows, he probably just doesn't like to admit that most of his wins are "stolen" (i.e. achieved through the effort of others).

That's perfectly legitimate in road racing, of course, but don't expect to be popular with your colleagues whilst racing like that.

Same with sprinters. all of their wins are achieved through effort of others. i am a big fan of tv. he refused to give up the yellow jersey. i enjoy watching his aggressive nature

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

When I read this article, my first thought was he is this guy

 

[Red Rick]

And he wonders why his colleagues don't like him? Of course he knows, he probably just doesn't like to admit that most of his wins are "stolen" (i.e. achieved through the effort of others).

That's perfectly legitimate in road racing, of course, but don't expect to be popular with your colleagues whilst racing like that.

This. He gets in tries to get in every breakaway, and in each breakaway he gets in, he does the least work, unless he can pick up yellow.

I like the riders that attack, and help the breakaway succeed. Guy's like Hoogerland, Flecha en de Gendt always do their share of the work

 

[pmcg76]

But Vino seems to be one of the most popular riders in the peloton.

I'm not sure it's so much the attacking that's the issue, it's what goes on after the attack. As mentioned up thread he has a reputation for not doing his share in breaks, except for when the camera bike is there. Whether that reputation is fair or not I'm not sure, but that's the thing with reputations.

Ah yes, but Vino is one of the heads of state and I dont think many people would ever view Vino's attacks as pointless or attention seeking. Vino attacks to win rather than just for the sake of attacking.

I dont disagree with your point either and I also agree with others who say Voeckler's attack after the Hoogerland accident really alienated him amongst fans.

 

[theyoungest]

Same with sprinters. all of their wins are achieved through effort of others. i am a big fan of tv. he refused to give up the yellow jersey. i enjoy watching his aggressive nature

Sprinters are challenged by other sprinters who have wasted the same amount of energy as them (i.e. none).

 

[The Hitch]

Voeckler attacked ? As i remember he lulu and whoever else was there continued together no ?

 

[Polish]

When Voeckler said "9 of 10 don't like me", was he joking around lol or was it a sorrowfull lament sigh?

Was he smiling or frowning when he made the comment?

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Voeckler attacked ? As i remember he lulu and whoever else was there continued together no ?

That's how I remember it as well.

 

[Angliru]

When I read this article, my first thought was he is this guy

When I read the part about Boonen slapping Voeckler on the back, for some reason this is what came to mind:

 

[Poursuivant]

That's how I remember it as well.

Me too. Just because he got out of the saddle doesn't mean he attacked.

 

[Froome19]

Voeckler attacked ? As i remember he lulu and whoever else was there continued together no ?

Yeh I remember him totally killing himself in order to get the yellow jersey whilst Lulu and Casar just hitched on for the ride and then Lulu came around to get the win. He certainly wouldn't have been interested in attacking but rather just riding his way into yellow. He anyway effectively gave up that stage by killing himself for yellow