Who (out of the favourites) do you want to win the tour?

[thirteen]

That far, I've been called "a pathetic person", "a loser", "a stupid person", "a hypocrite" and a few other things in the space of about twenty minutes. You'll have to forgive me if my levels of tolerance and forbearance are perhaps not all that they could be.

I have a mild distaste for the attitudes of people who habitually cheer for dominant favourites. Not for people who happen to have followed the career of someone from long before they were a dominant competitor and has always retained a soft sport for that individual. But for people whose general approach to sport is to associate themselves with the most predictable winners, hiding their own insecurities by basking in reflected glory.

There are many things wrong with the fan culture of a sport like football, but one of the admirable things about it is a general dislike of people who follow one of the most successful clubs despite not being from that town. "Glory hunting" is common, but also seen as something which deserves ridicule.

that's all i was asking for. content to back up what you were saying.

(i have no idea how long No_Balls has been a Contador fan... do you?)

 

[No_Balls]

Someone on a discussion forum. If you don't want your opinions questioned, don't present them.

And where are your opinions? You asked about Barcelona and said something about Schumacher and i said "No" i don´t like them.

(i have no idea how long No_Balls has been a Contador fan... do you?)

2007 to be precise. So i can´t say i match up to Zinoviev Letters high standards although the excuse COULD be that back in 2007 it was rather hard to figure out how successful Contador turned out to be.

I am partly spanish also. So i have the "nationalistic bias" with me as well.

 

[veganrob]

At the same time, if you win every race you ever enter, you won't remember any of them as special and eventually they lose their meaning with time.

For somebody like David Arroyo, finishing 2nd in the Giro last year is something that he'll remember for his whole life. To Alberto Contador, winning it this year is just another feather in a cap that's already coated in them. And that's why I root for the people like Arroyo.

And he will get beat. Everybody does. And when he does then more people will look for the chinks in his armor, and get braver. And AC will then try to step it up more if he can. Then it might get more interesting for you and everybody.
What I really admire about AC is the way he let LA know he ain't takin sh!t from him and went out and beat him. No words, mind games or anything Lance likes to do, just beat on the road. Case closed there.

 

[El Pistolero]

I don't have anything against Contador for continuing to race to win. I'm just explaining why I won't be supporting him.

I haven't yet got to the "oh ffs him again!!!" stage with Contador, and I may never do (some more likable champions can be like that) - but I would still like somebody to be able to step up to the plate and challenge him, I feel it will make future races more interesting.

What have been the most exciting stages Contador's been involved in lately? Mostly the ones where he's shown some kind of weakness (Alto del Morredero last year, Paris-Nice '09, Bordeaux ITT last year) or has been isolated with people unafraid to attack him (the aforementioned two, Rifugio Gardeccia), or has done something unexpected (Tropea).

You surely must have enjoyed Arcalis, Etna, Verbier and Angliru even though he dominated all those climbs. Pure art.

 

[Angliru]

In some ways, yes. At least that's some people's opinions. It's definitely not "pathetic". I realize English is not your first language, but be careful to not make your own opinions sound like insults.

Interesting how little discussion there is on Basso here. A proven winner and strategist, who could take advantage of a Contador-Schleck duel.

It's because the topic is who does one want to win. Quite a few have mentioned Basso as one of the riders they want to win, but if we are to change it to a poll of who is going to win or who has an actual chance of winning, based on his form leading up to the Tour and the unfortunate crash that left him with 12 stitches to his face, Basso hasn't had an ideal prep for the Tour. I'm personally hoping that he can put in serious training/racing miles to get him ready but I'm not optimistic.

If Contador doesn't take part (and even if he does with the Giro miles in him) I don't see anyone that can stop Andy Schleck from winning and ruining my summer.That is unless Andy can somehow muck it up with one of his legendary brainfarts (Chaingate 2010, Bonk 2008) and hand the victory to Evans, Samu or Gesink. I'm rooting for Samu who has shown a slow and steady progression up the Tour gc. It would be a true thing of beauty to have Euskaltel Euskadi winning the Tour with Samu and then have a battle royal between Contador and Anton at the Vuelta.

 

[Euskaltel!]

voted for samu out of sheer love for euskaltel and samu himself

we have a dutch mafia on here, but where's our basque mafia for all things euskaltel?? samu, anton, and nieve all performing in grand tours. anyone else interested in joining me in the formation of said basque mafia

We're here, we're just less vocal =)

 

[Angliru]

That far, I've been called "a pathetic person", "a loser", "a stupid person", "a hypocrite" and a few other things in the space of about twenty minutes. You'll have to forgive me if my levels of tolerance and forbearance are perhaps not all that they could be.

I have a mild distaste for the attitudes of people who habitually cheer for dominant favourites. Not for people who happen to have followed the career of someone from long before they were a dominant competitor and has always retained a soft sport for that individual. But for people whose general approach to sport is to associate themselves with the most predictable winners, hiding their own insecurities by basking in reflected glory.

There are many things wrong with the fan culture of a sport like football, but one of the admirable things about it is a general dislike of people who follow one of the most successful clubs despite not being from that town. "Glory hunting" is common, but also seen as something which deserves ridicule.

What is admirable about disliking people for what you perceive as their reasons ("glory hunting") for following a clubs/team/rider who is not of their own town/nation/region? The "ridicule" of others is an admirable action?

I'm from the States and have been a supporter and fan of the Spanish riders since the days of Delgado. Something about the Spanish climbers just made me want to root for them and it remains that way today. At the same time my love for those that accel when the road's turn upward and do it with style and grace made me become a fan of other riders especially Pantani and Simoni and to study the history of the sport which made me admirers of Lucien Van Impe, Gaul, Bahamontes and one of my all time fav's Jose Manuel Fuentes and the members of the Kas cycling teams of that era.

A riders style when they ride and are at their best and how they go about their "business" can be a reason why he/she is supported. The love for the sport and the sensations one gets watching particular riders is reason enough to throw your support behind those that personally enhance your enjoyment of the sport. It's not always quite evident what is the draw to particular riders in terms of their popularity and of course it is seldom the same attributes that attract them to everyone. For me Contador's humility, obvious love for the bike and competition, and the beauty in which he climbs is the attraction.

 

[Nikoloz]

kloden

)-:

 

[Chef_Vodnik]

I like my sporting favourites to be talented, but have flaws. Not personality flaws that make them dominant automatons, but that mean you have the chance of victory, but it will always be nervous. Alejandro Valverde, for example - great rider, but with a tendency to do something stupid and throw it away at the strangest possible time. Igor Antón - great climber, dreadful bike handler. Magdalena Neuner - fastest in the sport on the skis, woeful in the standing shoot. Juan Pablo Montoya - high energy, boundless talent, carves through the field... but you always feel like he's only half a second away from sticking it in the barriers.

Boy, you must love the Schlecks, then. Good climbers, bad descenders, bad time trialers, sometimes do stupid things.

You see, I'm in kind of a problem here concerning those two: They're from my country of origin and seem to be going well, so I'm inclined to like them. On the other hand, I really, really, REALLY despise the fact that they have started a kin
d of cycling craze in the country that does not feel genuine. You know what I mean, the sort of fake one where everyone is up in arms about what happens during one week in April and three weeks in July, not giving two shuts about the sport the rest of the year. The couch professionals have risen in big numbers, so to speak.

Imagine trying to enjoy this years LBL while you have the whole family in the background gushing and toutint nonsense in their uninformed ways - they now nothing concerning the sport, but somehow feel the need to watch it.

It's absolutely horrible.

And the worst is yet to come - during July, the whole country is suddenly filled with cycling experts watching in collectives on the biggest marketplace they can find to enjoy the public viewing. Three weeks later, nobody cares. The season's over. But while it lasts, the propaganda machinery in media, print and word of mouth is just unbearable.

It's comparable to 24/7 christmas carols during the winter period. Fun for the first two hours, but it sure as hell makes you want to stab people repeatedly in the groin until it finally stops.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I will sell my mom for a vino win here

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Boy, you must love the Schlecks, then. Good climbers, bad descenders, bad time trialers, sometimes do stupid things.

You see, I'm in kind of a problem here concerning those two: They're from my country of origin and seem to be going well, so I'm inclined to like them. On the other hand, I really, really, REALLY despise the fact that they have started a kin
d of cycling craze in the country that does not feel genuine. You know what I mean, the sort of fake one where everyone is up in arms about what happens during one week in April and three weeks in July, not giving two shuts about the sport the rest of the year. The couch professionals have risen in big numbers, so to speak.

Imagine trying to enjoy this years LBL while you have the whole family in the background gushing and toutint nonsense in their uninformed ways - they now nothing concerning the sport, but somehow feel the need to watch it.

It's absolutely horrible.

And the worst is yet to come - during July, the whole country is suddenly filled with cycling experts watching in collectives on the biggest marketplace they can find to enjoy the public viewing. Three weeks later, nobody cares. The season's over. But while it lasts, the propaganda machinery in media, print and word of mouth is just unbearable.

It's comparable to 24/7 christmas carols during the winter period. Fun for the first two hours, but it sure as hell makes you want to stab people repeatedly in the groin until it finally stops.

I hear you man. at every race I come in last few years I see these fake luxemburg fans, almost all woman too! that justr shout and scream when they see a schleck on the big screen, wether in peloton or in attack or behind, doesn't matter. they are totally clueless and they make me hate your country. horrible chauvinism

youy shoud;v'e been at cauberg at this years amstel gold race. when frank had his anual crash in the race I could seefans almost crying on the luxemburg side while all the dutch startred cheering and screaming. when andy was overtaken by quim in final metres the cauberg went nuts, when gilbert won the cauberg exploded. they like gilbetr but most of all hate the schlecks thanks to those fans

 

[Chef_Vodnik]

Exactly. And that is why, even though I really like them both, I don't want them to win.
I'll probably need a new pair of pants if they do well or even win a stage (Especially Frank, I somehow like him way better), but I sure as hell don't want Andrew to win or even ride in the yellow Jersey for a few days. Last time that happened we had some annoying ads and slogans involving jerseys, colors and being the best at everything.

What's worst about this is that I followed both of them as well as Kirchen before they had their REALLY BIG breakout results in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. It feels like I'm deliberately turning the hard shoulder on them for reasons they themselves take no guilt in.

 

[hrotha]

You'd think a country with a solid cycling tradition like Luxembourg wouldn't be so given to fangirlism.

 

[Chef_Vodnik]

You'd think a country with a solid cycling tradition like Luxembourg wouldn't be so given to fangirlism.

Ye olde bull**** - media can change that pretty quickly, it seems.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Boy, you must love the Schlecks, then. Good climbers, bad descenders, bad time trialers, sometimes do stupid things.

I didn't say I liked all people that fulfil those criteria. Just that almost all of the people I support show flaws and weaknesses like that.

I don't like the Schlecks, but it's more to do with their attitudes than them as cyclists. In fact, to be honest, I used to like Andy but dislike Fränk (partly the whole Fuentes thing being papered over and conveniently forgotten whilst simultaneously Valverde was the devil incarnate) but I'm finding it switching around a lot now. I dislike Andy, while I don't mind Fränk. He's got weaknesses, but he can climb and win on some really tough climbs (Malbun, for example), but mainly because he's in that Asier Olaizola/Simon Fourcade position of being somebody who works harder but just isn't as talented as their younger brother.

 

[DenisMenchov]

I will sell my mom for a vino win here

That would be really nice. I`m hoping anyone except Contador.

 

[boomcie]

I like my sporting favourites to be talented, but have flaws. Not personality flaws that make them dominant automatons, but that mean you have the chance of victory, but it will always be nervous. Alejandro Valverde, for example - great rider, but with a tendency to do something stupid and throw it away at the strangest possible time. Igor Antón - great climber, dreadful bike handler. Magdalena Neuner - fastest in the sport on the skis, woeful in the standing shoot. Juan Pablo Montoya - high energy, boundless talent, carves through the field... but you always feel like he's only half a second away from sticking it in the barriers.

Our sporting favorites are very similar apparently. I feel a lot of sympathy for 3 of those. It's just that I can't stand Valverde. There was a time that I liked him ( Illes Balears period), but that's a long time ago.

Still thumbs up for Neuner, Anton and Montoya.

I will sell my mom for a vino win here

Who's buying?

 

[patrick767]

I voted for Andy Schleck.

Chris Horner is a huge long shot, but that would amuse me just for the tears of impotent rage from the hate all things Radioshack, American, etc. crew.

 

[jaylew]

Voted for Sanchez but Contador, Evans and as a real long shot, Horner would be good too.

 

[Peccio89]

I would go with Basso, because he is a fellow Lombardian, and i have been cheering for him since he won the white jersey in 2003, it would be great to see him win the Tour.

If not Ivan, than i hope that Bertie will take it so that riders would finally realize that doing the Giro-Tour double is still possible.

 

[boomcie]

I would go with Basso, because he is a fellow Lombardian, and i have been cheering for him since he won the white jersey in 2003, it would be great to see him win the Tour.

If not Ivan, than i hope that Bertie will take it so that riders would finally realize that doing the Giro-Tour double is still possible.

The only thing they'll realize is that Contador can do it.

 

[Duartista]

The only thing they'll realize is that Contador can do it.

I'd probably go for Evans, mainly because he is one of the few riders who doesn't go on and on about peaking. Anyone other than Contador or Schleck would be great though.

 

[The Hitch]

Wow, the Sanchez crew is as big as the Gesink one.

Take note of how we handled ourselves in the Dauphine thread, compared to the 10 pages of panic from the Gesink lads

 

[hfer07]

If he wasn't part of the Shack- I'd love to see KLODEN finally getting a TDF win, but....... anyways- I'd go with Basso or Vino-I kind of like Evans too, but since he's destined to fail in the TDF- I count him out regardless

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Wow, the Sanchez crew is as big as the Gesink one.

Take note of how we handled ourselves in the Dauphine thread, compared to the 10 pages of panic from the Gesink lads

For Samu, it's the usual when he sucks in prep races. Hence, no panic

For Gesink, it isn't usual. Hence, panic

Winning. Duh