Why are British cyclists so much better than Australian cyclists?

[auscyclefan94]

Can anyone tell me if there are any future gc riders or strong climbers after evans?

 

[PACONi]

Can anyone tell me if there are any future gc riders or strong climbers after evans?

Jack Bobridge

 

[auscyclefan94]

Jack Bobridge

Bobridge is not really a gc guy. He's a tt guy who's come from the track which obviously suggests he is a sprinter or a lead out man.

 

[PACONi]

Bobridge is not really a gc guy. He's a tt guy who's come from the track which obviously suggests he is a sprinter or a lead out man.

Like Wiggo.

Give him some time to see what he can do before pidgeon holing him.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Like Wiggo.

Give him some time to see what he can do before pidgeon holing him.

I hope your irght because i just don't see any gc guys coming through for aus at the moment. Not many climbers either.

 

[PACONi]

I hope your irght because i just don't see any gc guys coming through for aus at the moment. Not many climbers either.

Good reason for that. Not a lot of mountains near population centers in oz (as you would know).
Its not all about GC. We were happy for many years watching O'Grady, McEwen and co go for classics and stages. I just want to see competitive racing, not all my favorite riders have to be Aussies.

 

[Offtheback]

Good reason for that. Not a lot of mountains near population centers in oz (as you would know).
Its not all about GC. We were happy for many years watching O'Grady, McEwen and co go for classics and stages. I just want to see competitive racing, not all my favorite riders have to be Aussies.

You're right, serious riders have to put in a lot of Ks riding through traffic to hit any good hills. Brisbane's not too bad with Mt Glorious and the back of Mt Nebo, or even Mt Mee.

One advantage our riders have is good weather and the fact that pros can keep their legs in here in the winter, while the Europeans have to contend with rain, snow and cold. (Unless they are fortunate and rich enough to have another home base in the Mediterranean).

Bike sales are going well here and I have confidence that cycling will increase in popularity generally - they say it's the New Golf. Track seems to be waning in popularity, so hope we do not lose our strengths in Fast Men.

 

[badboyberty]

Can anyone tell me if there are any future gc riders or strong climbers after evans?

Tim Roe is looking the goods too, just left local outfit Savings and Loans to become a neo-pro at Trek-Livestrong for 2010. He's been doing well in hilly stage races (2 stages plus 3rd overall Tour of Korea, Genting Highland stage and the overall win at the Tour of Jelahjah in Malysia) but only time will tell where he'll get to.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Good reason for that. Not a lot of mountains near population centers in oz (as you would know).
Its not all about GC. We were happy for many years watching O'Grady, McEwen and co go for classics and stages. I just want to see competitive racing, not all my favorite riders have to be Aussies.

Even though australia is not overly mountainous, i think there is enough mountains to train on. i don't see any gc guys coming through.

 

[Boeing]

 

[stefrees]

now thats what i call a BREAKFAST!

 

[PACONi]

You're right, serious riders have to put in a lot of Ks riding through traffic to hit any good hills. Brisbane's not too bad with Mt Glorious and the back of Mt Nebo, or even Mt Mee.

One advantage our riders have is good weather and the fact that pros can keep their legs in here in the winter, while the Europeans have to contend with rain, snow and cold. (Unless they are fortunate and rich enough to have another home base in the Mediterranean).

Bike sales are going well here and I have confidence that cycling will increase in popularity generally - they say it's the New Golf. Track seems to be waning in popularity, so hope we do not lose our strengths in Fast Men.

The UCI are doing a good job of killing (endurance) track cycling by looking at taking the 4000m indi pursuit/points/madison out of the Olympics. Whether or not this will affect our developing riders, I'm not sure, since most don't stay full time trackies for long anyway.

Cycling is taking off, it'd be intetresting to see if that correlates to an increase in CA race licences, or if they're all recreational. I've just started racing track and I've got to say its the best format of racing that I've ever done. My club does 3 races per meet so you can get some good variety.

I feel like I should know more about Tim Roe (one of my best mates is in China with the team now doing some physio work for them), its name I've seen about, but never really looking at. My mate reckons he is an awesome climber, dunno how that compares with other kids his age.

 

[Offtheback]

now thats what i call a BREAKFAST!

That's what an Aussie would call a snack! (In the outback that is).

 

[thehog]

An excellent article in the Australian press about Governments paying sports stars to come to Australia: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/so...-culture-develops-a-cringe-20091205-kb9i.html

Makes me feel a little sick how Australians behave like this.

 

[auscyclefan94]

An excellent article in the Australian press about Governments paying sports stars to come to Australia: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/so...-culture-develops-a-cringe-20091205-kb9i.html

Makes me feel a little sick how Australians behave like this.

Jake Niall (the writer of the article) is a guy who fawns over footy players as well. Complete Hipocrit but i do agree with the message.

 

[Ferminal]

An excellent article in the Australian press about Governments paying sports stars to come to Australia: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/so...-culture-develops-a-cringe-20091205-kb9i.html

Makes me feel a little sick how Australians behave like this.

Agreed, but at the same time there are plenty of people who genuinely follow many sports and passionately support Australia/their club/their individual.

The reference to Tiger is more about demanding acceptance which is fairly ingrained in our culture, and that goes beyond sport.

Asking others how you rate is a weird form of arrogance which is no better than say, Americans proclaiming how well they rate.

 

[thehog]

Agreed, but at the same time there are plenty of people who genuinely follow many sports and passionately support Australia/their club/their individual.

The reference to Tiger is more about demanding acceptance which is fairly ingrained in our culture, and that goes beyond sport.

Asking others how you rate is a weird form of arrogance which is no better than say, Americans proclaiming how well they rate.

Point in case: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/12/08/129561_news.html

Is it not enough to have the fr1ggin world championships in your own backyard?

 

[Boeing]

two words

John Smiths

 

[Ferminal]

Point in case: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/12/08/129561_news.html

Is it not enough to have the fr1ggin world championships in your own backyard?

Ok now that's just naive for them to suggest that bring Lance to the WC would mean something (to the sport).

Now I see the point, and yeh, it does annoy me.

 

[thehog]

Ok now that's just naive for them to suggest that bring Lance to the WC would mean something (to the sport).

Now I see the point, and yeh, it does annoy me.

I just don't understand. Yes for the Tour Down Under but for the world champs? The cycling elite will be there by virtue of the rainbow rings why bring Lance into it? Its show how stupid cycling authority is in Australia. But also shows how far cycling has fallen behind. The sport should sell itself and the world champs in your country will do it.

So if Robbie McEwen wins does that get overshadowed by some bloke who wants a million dollars to just ride?

btw/ I love the comment some aussie bloke has written at the bottom of the page!

"It would be fantastic if they can lure neilstrong to the bike ride. I'm also tempted to enter it, I just need to upgrade some parts on my mountain bike first.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I just don't understand. Yes for the Tour Down Under but for the world champs? The cycling elite will be there by virtue of the rainbow rings why bring Lance into it? Its show how stupid cycling authority is in Australia. But also shows how far cycling has fallen behind. The sport should sell itself and the world champs in your country will do it.

So if Robbie McEwen wins does that get overshadowed by some bloke who wants a million dollars to just ride?

btw/ I love the comment some aussie bloke has written at the bottom of the page!

"It would be fantastic if they can lure neilstrong to the bike ride. I'm also tempted to enter it, I just need to upgrade some parts on my mountain bike first.

It's competition between states. If SA have Lance and Cadel, melbourne have to have it. I would rather not have him there as he takes all the spotlight and what will he contribute to the race.

 

[thehog]

It's competition between states. If SA have Lance and Cadel, melbourne have to have it. I would rather not have him there as he takes all the spotlight and what will he contribute to the race.

There a bit slow down there in Geelong. International news has reached it's shores. Love this quote from the article:

"It's like having a golf tournament here with Tiger Woods ... Lance is bigger than the sport. (having him) would be the cherry on top of this already enormous cake."

- err Tiger S&M Woods?

 

[Anonymous]

got to remember, this is the same country that produced the girl that thought he was first man on the moon, and gave the rest of the world angry anderson....

nothing surprises me..

 

[Spare Tyre]

Wish we (Aussies) could just get over the international celebrity worship stuff and let the WC cycling speak for itself.

Also wish we (Victorians) would stop subsidizing F1 to the tune of 50 million dollars (or whatever it is) per year, but that's a similar story.

Yes, thank goodness for that bloke from Highton who'll have a go if he can just get his mountain bike upgraded in time. Give me him over LA any day.

 

[Ferminal]

Also wish we (Victorians) would stop subsidizing F1 to the tune of 50 million dollars (or whatever it is) per year, but that's a similar story.

Amazing really, the Middle East/India/Korea are far more profitable for F1 Management so to keep Melbourne in the game Ron just keeps writing bigger cheques.

All so Melbourne can call itself "The Sporting Capital of the World"... Yeh right, not when you are home to disgraceful beings such as Demetriou (but that's another matter...).