Which small fish will squish under the Tourish bus?

[LeindersGains]

What's biggest, the chance of none or the chance of one?

Cycling as a sport has it's own charismatic megafauna of stars. Poaching just one of them would be a PR disaster for the future image of the sport. It can only be done retrospectively.

It has to be an uninteresting rider who isn't a part of the whole branding thing.

 

[veganrob]

All's good now. UCI got their guy. Let the Tour begin.

 

[42x16ss]

Re:

Which big fish is going to withdraw from the Tour citing some spurious illness or malady?

Kittel has ticked that box.

 

[42x16ss]

Re:

cant wait for this TTT, GreenEdge gonna crush this. MAtt White is genius DS, manager, and husband

#Poeslaw

Too hilly. Even White and Stephens aren't stupid enough to try and win that

My money is on Movistar, Tinkoff or Astana. I'd say Sky but they always underperform at TTT's

 

[Dear Wiggo]

Re: Re:

Which big fish is going to withdraw from the Tour citing some spurious illness or malady?

Kittel has ticked that box.

Kicked it and spat on it.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Re: Re:

Which big fish is going to withdraw from the Tour citing some spurious illness or malady?

Kittel has ticked that box.

Kittel did not withdraw. He was not selected

 

[Fortyninefourteen]

Re: Re:

Which big fish is going to withdraw from the Tour citing some spurious illness or malady?

Kittel has ticked that box.

Kittel did not withdraw. He was not selected

Can you say "Chris Horner"?

 

[S2Sturges]

Re:

Damn, UCI got me, I've almost lost my faith in their habit of these "warning" busts few days before the Tour, thinking... well, New Era, Cookson does not do this... but here we go... fits perfectly to the scenario, Androni team.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/appollonio-provisionally-suspended-for-epo

It is a perfectly timed farce, isn't it.. ? We all know that no one else will be busted this Tour, green light for everyone..

 

[staubsauger]

Wait! There are AFLD tests once again, everything's possible!

 

[Netserk]

Re:

Wait! There are AFLD tests once again, everything's possible!

The same as last year.

Anti-doping will fail to catch any of the dopers during the Tour, thus proving how clean it is

 

[thehook]

Just plating devil's advocate here. So please no Flaming.

In MLB. They took a look at the NFL. The NFL is a money making MACHINE. They are NEVER questioned on how a 300+ Lb. Lineman can run a 4.7 40 yd dash. If you watch the NFL you just know it is not legit. C'mon

Cycling in a push to improve and ultimately survive needs "The Show"
If everyone knows the rules. And can play within those testing parameters. That means NO BAD PUBLICITY! Which equals a much better marketing value. Which makes more money. And can lead to increased profits for the UCI, Teams, ASO, Bike Companies, Promoters, etc etc.....

Now the war with ASO & Teams is all about that "PIE"

If the Teams can keep the show growing they want more $. Which also can lead to the Team becoming a Franchise/Commodity $$$. A bad NBA team aka the LA Clippers just sold for 2 BILLION! SO if they are worth that. What are the NY Yankees, Dallas Cowboys worth???? HUGE $$$$$$

This all comes down to money. No Positives + Good Pub. = More $

Sorry for all the American References. Im in the USA. But IMHO that is what Cookson is doing. Trying to grow that PIE is his #1 Priority.

 

[Random Direction]

And?

What you said is quite obvious to most. The real question is do some get preferential treatment and are some of the power brokers strategically creating circumstance to line their own pockets?

Yes, fry a few small sacrificial goldeneye, perhaps salt and preserve them too. Only the police can keep it in line

 

[thehook]

Re:

And?

What you said is quite obvious to most. The real question is do some get preferential treatment and are some of the power brokers strategically creating circumstance to line their own pockets?

Yes, fry a few small sacrificial goldeneye, perhaps salt and preserve them too. Only the police can keep it in line

Sorry if I did not make myself clear. But Cookson. Is trying to keep the positives down. Which in the end means growth. And that brings the CASH!

 

[Dear Wiggo]

Re:

Just plating devil's advocate here. So please no Flaming.

In MLB. They took a look at the NFL. The NFL is a money making MACHINE. They are NEVER questioned on how a 300+ Lb. Lineman can run a 4.7 40 yd dash. If you watch the NFL you just know it is not legit. C'mon

Cycling in a push to improve and ultimately survive needs "The Show"
If everyone knows the rules. And can play within those testing parameters. That means NO BAD PUBLICITY! Which equals a much better marketing value. Which makes more money. And can lead to increased profits for the UCI, Teams, ASO, Bike Companies, Promoters, etc etc.....

Now the war with ASO & Teams is all about that "PIE"

If the Teams can keep the show growing they want more $. Which also can lead to the Team becoming a Franchise/Commodity $$$. A bad NBA team aka the LA Clippers just sold for 2 BILLION! SO if they are worth that. What are the NY Yankees, Dallas Cowboys worth???? HUGE $$$$$$

This all comes down to money. No Positives + Good Pub. = More $

Sorry for all the American References. Im in the USA. But IMHO that is what Cookson is doing. Trying to grow that PIE is his #1 Priority.

The problem is: no one pays to watch the Tour live. No one.

Solve that and you're home and hosed.

 

[Archibald]

Re: Re:

Just plating devil's advocate here. So please no Flaming.

In MLB. They took a look at the NFL. The NFL is a money making MACHINE. They are NEVER questioned on how a 300+ Lb. Lineman can run a 4.7 40 yd dash. If you watch the NFL you just know it is not legit. C'mon

Cycling in a push to improve and ultimately survive needs "The Show"
If everyone knows the rules. And can play within those testing parameters. That means NO BAD PUBLICITY! Which equals a much better marketing value. Which makes more money. And can lead to increased profits for the UCI, Teams, ASO, Bike Companies, Promoters, etc etc.....

Now the war with ASO & Teams is all about that "PIE"

If the Teams can keep the show growing they want more $. Which also can lead to the Team becoming a Franchise/Commodity $$$. A bad NBA team aka the LA Clippers just sold for 2 BILLION! SO if they are worth that. What are the NY Yankees, Dallas Cowboys worth???? HUGE $$$$$$

This all comes down to money. No Positives + Good Pub. = More $

Sorry for all the American References. Im in the USA. But IMHO that is what Cookson is doing. Trying to grow that PIE is his #1 Priority.

The problem is: no one pays to watch the Tour live. No one.

Solve that and you're home and hosed.

I can just imagine the ASO dudes at the base of l'Alpe trying to ask for €5 from each spectator wanting to go up the mountain... might solve the encroaching/running nutjobs problems?
ignoring that they'd have to be there about a week in advance, and then question every motorhome whether it's just passing through or camping out...

 

[Dear Wiggo]

Re: Re:

Just plating devil's advocate here. So please no Flaming.

In MLB. They took a look at the NFL. The NFL is a money making MACHINE. They are NEVER questioned on how a 300+ Lb. Lineman can run a 4.7 40 yd dash. If you watch the NFL you just know it is not legit. C'mon

Cycling in a push to improve and ultimately survive needs "The Show"
If everyone knows the rules. And can play within those testing parameters. That means NO BAD PUBLICITY! Which equals a much better marketing value. Which makes more money. And can lead to increased profits for the UCI, Teams, ASO, Bike Companies, Promoters, etc etc.....

Now the war with ASO & Teams is all about that "PIE"

If the Teams can keep the show growing they want more $. Which also can lead to the Team becoming a Franchise/Commodity $$$. A bad NBA team aka the LA Clippers just sold for 2 BILLION! SO if they are worth that. What are the NY Yankees, Dallas Cowboys worth???? HUGE $$$$$$

This all comes down to money. No Positives + Good Pub. = More $

Sorry for all the American References. Im in the USA. But IMHO that is what Cookson is doing. Trying to grow that PIE is his #1 Priority.

The problem is: no one pays to watch the Tour live. No one.

Solve that and you're home and hosed.

I can just imagine the ASO dudes at the base of l'Alpe trying to ask for €5 from each spectator wanting to go up the mountain... might solve the encroaching/running nutjobs problems?
ignoring that they'd have to be there about a week in advance, and then question every motorhome whether it's just passing through or camping out...

And then France (et al) would raise an eyebrow about the free police force at ASO's disposal for the duration. If you've ever costed road closures and police presence you'll understand it's not cheap.

 

[Archibald]

Re: Re:

Just plating devil's advocate here. So please no Flaming.

In MLB. They took a look at the NFL. The NFL is a money making MACHINE. They are NEVER questioned on how a 300+ Lb. Lineman can run a 4.7 40 yd dash. If you watch the NFL you just know it is not legit. C'mon

Cycling in a push to improve and ultimately survive needs "The Show"
If everyone knows the rules. And can play within those testing parameters. That means NO BAD PUBLICITY! Which equals a much better marketing value. Which makes more money. And can lead to increased profits for the UCI, Teams, ASO, Bike Companies, Promoters, etc etc.....

Now the war with ASO & Teams is all about that "PIE"

If the Teams can keep the show growing they want more $. Which also can lead to the Team becoming a Franchise/Commodity $$$. A bad NBA team aka the LA Clippers just sold for 2 BILLION! SO if they are worth that. What are the NY Yankees, Dallas Cowboys worth???? HUGE $$$$$$

This all comes down to money. No Positives + Good Pub. = More $

Sorry for all the American References. Im in the USA. But IMHO that is what Cookson is doing. Trying to grow that PIE is his #1 Priority.

The problem is: no one pays to watch the Tour live. No one.

Solve that and you're home and hosed.

I can just imagine the ASO dudes at the base of l'Alpe trying to ask for €5 from each spectator wanting to go up the mountain... might solve the encroaching/running nutjobs problems?
ignoring that they'd have to be there about a week in advance, and then question every motorhome whether it's just passing through or camping out...

And then France (et al) would raise an eyebrow about the free police force at ASO's disposal for the duration. If you've ever costed road closures and police presence you'll understand it's not cheap.

it's all Jim Phelps/Nathan Hunt stuff really

 

[doperhopper]

Re: Re:

The problem is: no one pays to watch the Tour live. No one.

Solve that and you're home and hosed.[/quote]
I can just imagine the ASO dudes at the base of l'Alpe trying to ask for €5 from each spectator wanting to go up the mountain... might solve the encroaching/running nutjobs problems?
ignoring that they'd have to be there about a week in advance, and then question every motorhome whether it's just passing through or camping out...[/quote]

And then France (et al) would raise an eyebrow about the free police force at ASO's disposal for the duration. If you've ever costed road closures and police presence you'll understand it's not cheap.[/quote]

---------


This ASO problem can be solved quite easily: #boycottTDF2016, #moveGiroToJuly... and in couple of years nobody will remember such race existed. Next generation will only vaguely remember: yeah, wasn't this that race where some doped american won many times and nobody screamed "bullsh**".

 

[BYOP88]

Re: Re:

The problem is: no one pays to watch the Tour live. No one.

Solve that and you're home and hosed.

I can just imagine the ASO dudes at the base of l'Alpe trying to ask for €5 from each spectator wanting to go up the mountain... might solve the encroaching/running nutjobs problems?
ignoring that they'd have to be there about a week in advance, and then question every motorhome whether it's just passing through or camping out...[/quote]

And then France (et al) would raise an eyebrow about the free police force at ASO's disposal for the duration. If you've ever costed road closures and police presence you'll understand it's not cheap.[/quote]

---------


This ASO problem can be solved quite easily: #boycottTDF2016, #moveGiroToJuly... and in couple of years nobody will remember such race existed. Next generation will only vaguely remember: yeah, wasn't this that race where some doped american won many times and nobody screamed "bullsh**".[/quote]

David Walsh does not approve this post.

 

[The Hitch]

The London Olympics did charge to watch the race on the hill. Wasn't no fiver either. 30 squid or the equivalent of like 50 bucks for you Americans.

 

[thehook]

Just a general guess here. But ASO probably makes a BOAT load of cash on the tour. The only way for the teams too get more money is a strike. Who the heck would even watch on TV a bunch of Pro Continental teams race for a TOUR?

I get the coverage via NBC. In the USA. I still buy the mobile app. I wanna be able to watch it where, when I want. The digital era has made sporting huge cash. And cycling in the future wants that. Velon is correct in wanting to be compensated. The TV market for sporting is the largest growing market in commercial TV.

It is BUISNESS. Look at it that way for a moment.

 

[doperhopper]

Here we go, the usual June pre-Tour bust season. Last year there was the long saga of Astana's license, in 2014 we've had Kreuziger.

Any tips for this season? Maybe certain new miracles deserve attention (e.g. Gazprom guys - though they don't go to the Tour, so maybe off the radar)? Or shall we also expect Rio-targeted busts?

Someone has to be sacrificed in order to preserve the UCI image of DopeBusters. Ideally a dumba$$ failing a basic IQ test.

 

[Robert5091]

What odds that someone finds a motor in a cycle?