World Champs January 29th

[El Pistolero]

Niels Albert and Sven Nys are both more popular.

 

[Spine Concept]

Rather easy to be.

I'll have to repeat myself. We - true cyclocross fans - are not enthusiastic about big mouths and attention-seekers (and crybabies), we are enthusiastic about the sport of cyclocross itself and not what goes around it.

KP would never trash his opponents or make provocation in interviews. He's only aggressive on his bike, period. That's why he's still so popular, here.

Why would you have to repeat yourself with me? I think you're barking up the wrong tree here. I've never had this discussion with you before. Aside from that, you managed to miss my contention.
Regarding your comments though; I'm sorry, but there is no way to validate that you are a representative for the majority of ''true'' cyclo-cross fans. Thus I cannot take your word for it. Regardless, it was a simple observation which cannot be denied. I never said it was a character flaw, but evidently, he's a walking sedative. It seems that I am the one that has to repeat myself; He's a great cyclo-crosser, but has zero charisma.
Pistolero gave his reasons for not idolizing someone who appears to be dead on the inside, and I agree with him. Simple as that. I never questioned his popularity or his abilities on the bike. I simply gave my view on him as a person from what I've seen, and that remains unchanged no matter how many times you repeat yourself .

 

[theyoungest]

Rather easy to be.

I'll have to repeat myself. We - true cyclocross fans - are not enthusiastic about big mouths and attention-seekers (and crybabies), we are enthusiastic about the sport of cyclocross itself and not what goes around it.

KP would never trash his opponents or make provocation in interviews. He's only aggressive on his bike, period. That's why he's still so popular, here.

Has it ever occurred to you that people have different reasons for liking riders? Some riders get the sympathy vote, even if they might not be all that great on the bike, and some (like Pauwels) may be great on the bike but are hard to sympathize with (for some).

 

[Mich78BEL]

Niels Albert and Sven Nys are both more popular.

they have both been elite for much longer

 

[El Pistolero]

they have both been elite for much longer

Pauwels is older than Albert. He's been pro for longer.

 

[Mich78BEL]

Pauwels is older than Albert. He's been pro for longer.

elite doesn't mean pro, Albert is someone who matured quicker and has been elite as soon as he became a pro (4/5 years already), Pauwels has been elite for 2 years

 

[El Pistolero]

elite doesn't mean pro, Albert is someone who matured quicker and has been elite as soon as he became a pro (4/5 years already), Pauwels has been elite for 2 years

Actually, it does in cycling

So you're saying that no one was a fan of Pauwels before this year(and last year) because he had a boring wheelsucking race style? Couldn't agree more.

 

[Echoes]

Has it ever occurred to you that people have different reasons for liking riders? Some riders get the sympathy vote, even if they might not be all that great on the bike, and some (like Pauwels) may be great on the bike but are hard to sympathize with (for some).

The reason given by Spine-Concept shocked me.

Had he told us that he disliked KP's riding style, I would've said it was his right to say it (even though as I've always said he's always been an aggressive rider, but everyone is entitled to his opinion).

He says a rider should be a charismatic media-friendly character. In other words, a theatrical actor of a big show. I believe riders should first be loved or hated for their riding style.

Also sport stars in interviews are often VERY different than they are in real life. Vöckler is the best example for that. A true hypocrite.

I even have more sympathies with jerks like Wellens (I remember Boomcie telling us he was just arrogant irl, couldn't check myself) who are also jerks when in the spotlight (doesn't even regret his kung-fu take from Overijse 2005, just regret not having reached the guy) or with kids like Albert who would shamelessly weep before all Belgium just because supporters booed him. Yeah he might've changed since then but that was beyond pathetic.

KP is just the same on camera as off camera. Very shy but he wouldn't hurt a fly. Always ready to sign autographs even shortly before the race and being taken pics of with kids (while Nys would quietly warm up surrounded by three mobile homes to isolate him).

 

[Spine Concept]

The reason given by Spine-Concept shocked me.

Had he told us that he disliked KP's riding style, I would've said it was his right to say it (even though as I've always said he's always been an aggressive rider, but everyone is entitled to his opinion).

He says a rider should be a charismatic media-friendly character. In other words, a theatrical actor of a big show. I believe riders should first be loved or hated for their riding style.

Also sport stars in interviews are often VERY different than they are in real life. Vöckler is the best example for that. A true hypocrite.

I even have more sympathies with jerks like Wellens (I remember Boomcie telling us he was just arrogant irl, couldn't check myself) who are also jerks when in the spotlight (doesn't even regret his kung-fu take from Overijse 2005, just regret not having reached the guy) or with kids like Albert who would shamelessly weep before all Belgium just because supporters booed him. Yeah he might've changed since then but that was beyond pathetic.

KP is just the same on camera as off camera. Very shy but he wouldn't hurt a fly. Always ready to sign autographs even shortly before the race and being taken pics of with kids (while Nys would quietly warm up surrounded by three mobile homes to isolate him).

I'm going to say this one last time as it seems you have a serious problem with reading comprehension, which is the only real shock here. When have I ever said I hated KP because of his character? I never even said it was a character flaw. His demeanor is simply unappealing to ME, which obviously is not the case for you. I never said I did not like or recognize his abilities on the bike. Furthermore, I never said that a rider SHOULD be anything in order to be loved or hated. As I said before, things that are not appealing to me might not be of importance to others and vice versa. I can respect that. Please stop putting words in my mouth, it really does not make your contention any more compelling.
Thus, for clarity's sake, I like what I see from KP on the track, but I cringe every time I see him in an interview. That is my opinion based on several observations and it definitely does not mean that I hate him. Why does it have to be either one extreme or the other with you? Preposterous. I'm not a fanboy so I don't know what happens before or after races. Moreover, unless you know KP personally and hang out with him on a regular basis there is no way you can comment on how he is in real life. I can only form an opinion with the information I have. If you're a KP fanboy than there is really no use in stringing this out any further.

 

[El Pistolero]

I'm going to say this one last time as it seems you have a serious problem with reading comprehension, which is the only real shock here. When have I ever said I hated KP because of his character? I never even said it was a character flaw. His demeanor is simply unappealing to ME, which obviously is not the case for you. I never said I did not like or recognize his abilities on the bike. Furthermore, I never said that a rider SHOULD be anything in order to be loved or hated. As I said before, things that are not appealing to me might not be of importance to others and vice versa. I can respect that. Please stop putting words in my mouth, it really does not make your contention any more compelling.
Thus, for clarity's sake, I like what I see from KP on the track, but I cringe every time I see him in an interview. That is my opinion based on several observations and it definitely does not mean that I hate him. Why does it have to be either one extreme or the other with you? Preposterous. I'm not a fanboy so I don't know what happens before or after races. Moreover, unless you know KP personally and hang out with him on a regular basis there is no way you can comment on how he is in real life. I can only form an opinion with the information I have. If you're a KP fanboy than there is really no use in stringing this out any further.

He's like that in real life as well, I remember reading an interview with his mother and grandmother and they all say he doesn't speak a lot.