General Cycling Discussion - trashtalk in the peloton?

Is there trashtalk in the peloton? I mean, do the pros have cool little back and forth repartee? I was just thinking, it'd be hilarious to hear the equivalent of the stuff you hear on the basketball court, but instead while they're flicking each other at high speed ...

musing,

-alex.

yes, the things you hear are not for ladies ears :)

The pros in europe are no different. THere is plenty of talk

Well, I have never ridden in a Pro peloton. But I have noticed just the opposite among cyclists. Everyone shows up and says "hey, let's ride easy today". Then they go out, warm up and proceed to kill each other. I have never heard anyone show up and say "I am going to kick all your #$%@!!!"

So has their trash talk ever been picked up by the mic., as often the case with basketball/football... I thought pro cyclists had class. Another illusion shattered.I always thought I would like to be one in another life. I do recall cursing at a punk motorist when hit by either spit or soda..That is allowed.

yes, the things you hear are not for ladies ears :)

LoL, ever been in a pro women's field? Remember, women are much better at verbal communication than men (at least that's the majority). What's said in the women's pro field is sometimes not fit for men's ears. I think there's more verbal attacks in the women's peloton and a little less physical hooks and flicks and whatnot.

And, a note on what the others said, usually trash talk goes on between people who have a grudge against one another. You rarely hear people going after one another just for the heck of it, I believe.

Has it been picked up? sure,
evidence the witty reparte between Lance and Robbie
McEwan. Robbie was gonna put his fist in LA's throat
(or something like that). Yeah it gets out but the
cycling press do seem to keep the lid on it (in terms of
not printing alot of it).
Marty

LoL, ever been in a pro women's field?

No and if I were, trash talk would be the last of my problems!!
:D

Trash talk like Jordan does. Mess with people's head.
I don't hear alot of real hostile trash talking that bring on fisticuffs.

Naw, your kidding right? With people like Mario Cippolini and "Radar ears" Pantani there cannot possibly be trash talking in the peloton ;)

I can't imagine it either, though I'm sure it exists. You're out pedalling your ass off at 35-40 kph, sucking in O2 the best you can on some alpine stage of a 3 week race, and you want to talk trash? Sure Shaque can talk trash, Gretsky did. I just thought a lot of the pros did it in the press. Wasn't that were we learned that LA stepped aside to allow Elefante the win, and started all sorts of media hype between the two of them?

Pat I soo can identify with what you said here about riders showing up for a ride saying that they are going to "take it easy" then the ride starts going and they are hammering off the front!..I've learned to take that as, ok you're saying that you're going to take it easy, so I'll know and treat it like you're going to hammer and I'd better follow you when I hear that if I want to hammer also!!:)..

Benjamin

Never been there but I would expect it. Trashtalk is par for the course in all sport. If you can't take it don't go pro, in anything.

http://home.comcast.net/~sec1955/talk.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~sec1955/talk2.JPG

I remember reading one of Bob Roll's essay a few years ago. He described an occasion when a German rider (I don't recall who) was trash talking. "How do you make a silly boy?" he asked. Then he answered his own question, "Ask Lance's father."

Language barriers in the international pro peloton probably have a huge effect on trash talk.

I remember reading one of Bob Roll's essay a few years ago. He described an occasion when a German rider (I don't recall who) was trash talking. "How do you make a silly boy?" he asked. Then he answered his own question, "Ask Lance's father."

Language barriers in the international pro peloton probably have a huge effect on trash talk.

LeMond, not Lance. Gerrie Knetemann (Dutch) said "Hey Greg, how do you make a silly boy? Ask your daddy!" Turns out too many people were listening to Knetemann's jokes, since there was a huge pileup, in which Knetemann ended up with another rider on his back.

LeMond, not Lance. Gerrie Knetemann (Dutch) said "Hey Greg, how do you make a silly boy? Ask your daddy!" Turns out too many people were listening to Knetemann's jokes, since there was a huge pileup, in which Knetemann ended up with another rider on his back.

That's it!!! Thanks. Is that in the book Bobke?

Is that in the book Bobke?

Yup, that's it.