Worst things in Pro Cycling

[quiensabe]

Worst things

This. In Norway it seems like they try to get the name "Lance Armstrong" into every headline, no matter what. When I read the headline "Armstrong beaten by Oscar Freire" I literally started crying (some random race where Oscar Freire won the mass sprint and Lance was 50th or so...)

Norway, you're not alone!
Apart from attention grabbers, the worst things are:
Control from the director's car via earpieces.
Biased commentators. (Their job is to inform - not to cheer-lead.)
'Please-yourself', personalised versions of team kit.

 

[icefire]

Anything that makes races boring:

Lack of rider combativeness, whatever the reason might be (e.g.,team orders)
Bad course design

Add your items to the list.

 

[doddy13]

3/idiots who turn up on the champs elysees at 4pm on a certain sunday and are willing to kill you to get your space on the barrier when youve been there since 7am

I agree. Nothing worse than that, or idiots who think just because you're getting lunch and leaving other people "guarding" your spot, that they can then cram in and take it.

No you can't and i'll give you a few choice words (in french too)

 

[Big_Blue_Dave]

I agree. Nothing worse than that, or idiots who think just because you're getting lunch and leaving other people "guarding" your spot, that they can then cram in and take it.

No you can't and i'll give you a few choice words (in french too)

Its not about leaving the spot, its people who turn up at 4pm who decide that they deserve to be at the front and just push past everyone to get there. And yes, this is directed at the very fat German woman who attempted to do that this year to me and a numbre of people who had been around since the first thing in the morning. This reminds me that i'm taking tape next year to cordon off a large area for just a small number of people to get in, just like the Livestrong Army that are there every year bar 2006-2008. Also need to get some inflatable chairs.

 

[Race Radio]

The UCI

Hypocrites who spew hatred at Lemond, Simeoni, Mike Anderson, Betsy, Contador, Walsh, Ballester, Kimmage.......yet call anyone that questions the myth "haters".

Still plenty of good things about the sport. The diversity of the sport is encouraging. While the Pro Road side has been stagnate for years other parts of the sport, Cross, Marathon MTN biking, Gran Fondo's, etc. are growing strong.

 

[python]

corrupt inconsistent governing body that keeps gaining power whilst increasingly authoritarian and arbitrary.





.......



everything else is either small stuff or a consequence..

 

[MrContador]

This. In Norway it seems like they try to get the name "Lance Armstrong" into every headline, no matter what. When I read the headline "Armstrong beaten by Oscar Freire" I literally started crying (some random race where Oscar Freire won the mass sprint and Lance was 50th or so...)

Which leads to another point, incompetent press. In the same article you referred to, it stood that Freire would be one of Armstrong greatest rivals in the Tour that year, and that they would both ride the stage race Ronde van Vlaanderen next week.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

Black socks, oh criminy I'm there.

Coloured shorts (other than black obviously), too. Add in polka dot bikes as well.

Am I the only one who'd do away with dedicated TT bikes in stage races?

Oh, I see. Chiz chiz.

Riders whose sole focus is three weeks in July.

Sunglasses - don't like the whole RoboCop look they cause.

And another vote for the twerp with the horns. Couldn't he be pushed into a handy snowbank ?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Keep the devil and borat but get rid of the horned guy. looks like a total loser. It is probably one of lord pharmstrong's loyal servants

 

[53 x 11]

Cant stand those haters.........

But seriously the general ignorance in the Australian media of all things cycling and the hero worship of Lance-a-lot/Phligget drives me nuts.

 

[gatete]

-The ache when you find out your hero is a doper (ulrich, basso)
-Lance's cascading lies
-Lack of media uniformity
-The fuc kers who got caught but yet enjoyed what it feels like to be in the podium, while the more deserving ones are left to the side.

 

[Velo Dude]

The worst thing? It begins with "d" and ends with "rugs."

Danish throw rugs??

 

[Biciclette Bianchi]

Yellow and Red Polka Dot bikes at the Tour (for the GC and KOM leaders). Please, please, please, just wear the jersey and don't make your bike a ridiculous self-promoting billboard. (I still prefer wearing the jersey with team kit shorts, but the matching bibs pales in comparison to the custom paintjob bikes.)


Dave

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

Yellow and Red Polka Dot bikes at the Tour (for the GC and KOM leaders). Please, please, please, just wear the jersey and don't make your bike a ridiculous self-promoting billboard. (I still prefer wearing the jersey with team kit shorts, but the matching bibs pales in comparison to the custom paintjob bikes.)


Dave

Absolutely agree.

 

[Deagol]

Obviously, most of us all find a lot more that we love than hate with pro cycling, but, regardless, that doesn’t make the negative go away. Best not to ignore it, as that won’t make it go away …
My list:


1) The UCI corruption. special treatment for the super stars.

2) The pressure to win resulting in drug use that is so predominant in the culture.

3) that people who call into question the achievements of a certain rider who has been assigned the rank of demi-god by the P.R. machine are termed “haters”. Said rider has become an intimidating bully, backed by lawyers. That most believe the story.


As an aside, I have come to observe that those who are termed “haters” seem to be the ones who love this sport, as opposed to a super-star within it, more than anyone else. They are so-named by those who cling to an admittedly inspiring story created by the P.R. machine. It’s like calling someone who hates drunk driving a “hater”.

 

[ImmaculateKadence]

I've noticed most people say the UCI, which I agree with, but I want to take it one step further and say the way the sport is ran....period. I think that goes beyond the scope of the UCI's grasp. From the UCI, to the doping federations, to the race organizers, to various countries having different and often conflicting rules (Valverde case for example). It's really just a big mess.

One of the things I love about cycling is how international it is. I mean one event can cover multiple countries, so naturally it would be difficult to run, but how hard is it get some consistency within the sport? To have one central governing body that oversees doping, organizes, plans, and carries out races, and doesn't allow other countries to discipline riders. Is it even possible?

 

[yetanothergreenworld]

Yellow and Red Polka Dot bikes at the Tour (for the GC and KOM leaders). Please, please, please, just wear the jersey and don't make your bike a ridiculous self-promoting billboard. (I still prefer wearing the jersey with team kit shorts, but the matching bibs pales in comparison to the custom paintjob bikes.)

Absolutely. It's the "more is more" approach to style. By the way, here's a neat window into how aesthetic taste in cycling has changed: it's Lucien Van Impe, "attempting" to break the Hour Record on a Belgian sketch comedy show. As you'll see, he's got a polka-dot helmet to go with his jersey, and the audience thinks it's just the funniest damn thing they've ever seen. I can't imagine what they would have made of today's KOM wardrobe . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gm-yczP4BY

 

[Psalmon]

The worst to me is that it always seems the sport is starved for money, begging for sponsorship even when it enjoys a large, passionate, growing and more global fan base.

When I read that Saxo Bank has to curtail its schedule, a team with Cancellara contending for classics, wearing Yellow, with Andy and Frank Schleck contending for the overall TdF podium, that's disappointing.

I read Astana has a $22 M budget for 2010, which would put it on par with a Nascar team sponsorship ($20-25M), but at the top end of the PT range. Sky has reportedly a 10 M pound budget. A 2006 study I found showed PT budgets from 4 M Euro (Saunier Duval not including pharma costs) to 15 M (T-mobile), with most around 7-8 M Euro.

The average US baseball team has an $80 M payroll, with most, chronically losing teams. You're not getting much for your $60 M if you're a Washington Nationals fan. Want "wait 'till next year?" How about $135 M for the Cubs (a number that could almost fund the entire PT!)?

I'm not sure I'd want NY Yankees kind of money in cycling frankly ($200 M ), but more, would have net positive effects IMO. Yes, there may be more temptation, but also more funds to address it. It's natural to assume over time we'd also have more talent, even more Tour contenders (on separate teams please), more Classic specialists and teams, someone who can beat Cav, new races, better event coverage (not Versus here in the US), maybe improved journalism, fewer hoarders of control, power, teams, maybe some longer contracts, teams that stay together longer, and maybe even save a couple of Olympics spots (rhythmic gymnastics will just have to go).

Maybe PT stability will help. Maybe some continued doping progress will help. Maybe some new personalities leading the sport will help. It'd be nice to maintain some of this momentum, but also see the $ in in the sport really take off.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Yellow and Red Polka Dot bikes at the Tour (for the GC and KOM leaders). Please, please, please, just wear the jersey and don't make your bike a ridiculous self-promoting billboard. (I still prefer wearing the jersey with team kit shorts, but the matching bibs pales in comparison to the custom paintjob bikes.)


Dave

I have to admit, I rather liked the polka-dotted Colnago Extreme-C.

 

[Murray]

The worst to me is that it always seems the sport is starved for money, begging for sponsorship even when it enjoys a large, passionate, growing and more global fan base.

When I read that Saxo Bank has to curtail its schedule, a team with Cancellara contending for classics, wearing Yellow, with Andy and Frank Schleck contending for the overall TdF podium, that's disappointing.

I read Astana has a $22 M budget for 2010, which would put it on par with a Nascar team sponsorship ($20-25M), but at the top end of the PT range. Sky has reportedly a 10 M pound budget. A 2006 study I found showed PT budgets from 4 M Euro (Saunier Duval not including pharma costs) to 15 M (T-mobile), with most around 7-8 M Euro.

The average US baseball team has an $80 M payroll, with most, chronically losing teams. You're not getting much for your $60 M if you're a Washington Nationals fan. Want "wait 'till next year?" How about $135 M for the Cubs (a number that could almost fund the entire PT!)?

I'm not sure I'd want NY Yankees kind of money in cycling frankly ($200 M ), but more, would have net positive effects IMO. Yes, there may be more temptation, but also more funds to address it. It's natural to assume over time we'd also have more talent, even more Tour contenders (on separate teams please), more Classic specialists and teams, someone who can beat Cav, new races, better event coverage (not Versus here in the US), maybe improved journalism, fewer hoarders of control, power, teams, maybe some longer contracts, teams that stay together longer, and maybe even save a couple of Olympics spots (rhythmic gymnastics will just have to go).

Maybe PT stability will help. Maybe some continued doping progress will help. Maybe some new personalities leading the sport will help. It'd be nice to maintain some of this momentum, but also see the $ in in the sport really take off.

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but the real problem is the source of funds. Cycling teams have to get their own sponsors year after year, while bigger $$ team sports (baseball, football, hockey, basketball) rely heavily on television revenues, have well run leagues, and player unions.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Cant stand those haters.........

But seriously the general ignorance in the Australian media of all things cycling and the hero worship of Lance-a-lot/Phligget drives me nuts.

+2 Billion
I also hate how they make our swimmers look like they are squeaky clean and then cyclists are all doping and taking drugs.

They make lance seem like a saint, especially tomolaris, he is a complete tool. Bring on Matt keenan, he is a superb commentator/ presenter.

 

[Ripper]

Cant stand those haters.........

But seriously the general ignorance in the Australian media of all things cycling and the hero worship of Lance-a-lot/Phligget drives me nuts.

Love it, love the Haterade pic. Awesome!

 

[Anonymous]

Its not about leaving the spot, its people who turn up at 4pm who decide that they deserve to be at the front and just push past everyone to get there. And yes, this is directed at the very fat German woman who attempted to do that this year to me and a numbre of people who had been around since the first thing in the morning. This reminds me that i'm taking tape next year to cordon off a large area for just a small number of people to get in, just like the Livestrong Army that are there every year bar 2006-2008. Also need to get some inflatable chairs.

taking chairs kind of helped this year..
its the random tourists who turn up at 4pm, have no idea what the tour de france is, and actually tap you on the shoulder and ask you to move so that they can stand at the barrier..

yes of course, ive been here since 8am for a laugh.. and when you resist, at which point you are pressed so hard to the barrier your ribs hurt, you look under your arm and realise you have a small head growing from each armpit, and another in your back, you get crushed..
jay actually had somone climbing up her legs in 2008 and then grabbing onto her shoulders trying to haul themselves up onto her back..

im considering electrifying a small stretch of fence and giving rubber gloves to a small select group of people..

 

[Ferminal]

The worst to me is that it always seems the sport is starved for money, begging for sponsorship even when it enjoys a large, passionate, growing and more global fan base.

When I read that Saxo Bank has to curtail its schedule, a team with Cancellara contending for classics, wearing Yellow, with Andy and Frank Schleck contending for the overall TdF podium, that's disappointing.

I read Astana has a $22 M budget for 2010, which would put it on par with a Nascar team sponsorship ($20-25M), but at the top end of the PT range. Sky has reportedly a 10 M pound budget. A 2006 study I found showed PT budgets from 4 M Euro (Saunier Duval not including pharma costs) to 15 M (T-mobile), with most around 7-8 M Euro.

The average US baseball team has an $80 M payroll, with most, chronically losing teams. You're not getting much for your $60 M if you're a Washington Nationals fan. Want "wait 'till next year?" How about $135 M for the Cubs (a number that could almost fund the entire PT!)?

I'm not sure I'd want NY Yankees kind of money in cycling frankly ($200 M ), but more, would have net positive effects IMO. Yes, there may be more temptation, but also more funds to address it. It's natural to assume over time we'd also have more talent, even more Tour contenders (on separate teams please), more Classic specialists and teams, someone who can beat Cav, new races, better event coverage (not Versus here in the US), maybe improved journalism, fewer hoarders of control, power, teams, maybe some longer contracts, teams that stay together longer, and maybe even save a couple of Olympics spots (rhythmic gymnastics will just have to go).

Maybe PT stability will help. Maybe some continued doping progress will help. Maybe some new personalities leading the sport will help. It'd be nice to maintain some of this momentum, but also see the $ in in the sport really take off.

Where does the TV rights money go? Surely the UCI TV rights are somewhere in the 000s of millions per year. Are teams not getting a big enough slice of the pie? The ASO rights would be worth a bit as well...

Are teams not looked after well enough? It seems like they just have to fight on their own and if their sponsors drop out, they bust. Does cycling need to take the FIA approach of introduce regulations and budget caps to make it easier for teams to stay in the game.

 

[Race Radio]

I read Astana has a $22 M budget for 2010, which would put it on par with a Nascar team sponsorship ($20-25M), but at the top end of the PT range. Sky has reportedly a 10 M pound budget. A 2006 study I found showed PT budgets from 4 M Euro (Saunier Duval not including pharma costs) to 15 M (T-mobile), with most around 7-8 M Euro.

What make these numbers even sadder is that they have been stagnet for years. The top team 4 seasons ago has the same budget as the top team in 2010. Banesto at a 13 million Euro budget.....in 1994.

For all this talk of the sport growing the reality is the Pro Road part has been flat for a long time while the rest of the sport has grown around it.