Professional Cycling For the Fans - CSC Bjarne Riis

I just watched the documentary "overcoming" about Bjarne Riis and his CSC team. What a catastrophy! I see a miserable human being not a leader in Herr Riis. I understand how the best racers came to getting hurt and quitting the sport under his management. If I was him I'd never let that film come out like this.

Is he better now?

ok.

ok.

I'm not trolling. Riis looked so miserable in his role of leader. Nothing like the 100% grounded Johan Bruynel of UsPostal for exemple.

I didn't get that from the film at all.

Those riding under Riis usually have good things to say about him.

I didn't get that from the film at all.

Those riding under Riis usually have good things to say about him.

Agreed. It's been a while since I've seen it, but I don't recall having any strongly negative impressions of Riis.

I thought it was a well done documentary. Riis had to manage alot during that Tour. Stellar squad; Vino, Basso, Sastre, Voigt. I'm sure it must have been very frustrating not to have made a better showing, especially with the huge pressure from the sponsorships.

I thought it was a well done documentary. Riis had to manage alot during that Tour. Stellar squad; Vino, Basso, Sastre, Voigt. I'm sure it must have been very frustrating not to have made a better showing, especially with the huge pressure from the sponsorships.

...and Julich esploding from his bike with the aide of a team car mirror...

...and Julich esploding from his bike with the aide of a team car mirror...

Every time I watch that it somehow cracks me up. It's like there he was, and then he wasn't. It's been a while since I've watched that but I recall that Riis was blaming Julich for the incident.

I'm not trolling. Riis looked so miserable in his role of leader. Nothing like the 100% grounded Johan Bruynel of UsPostal for exemple.

if that's the case, then you've just proven that you're clueless.

There are two things I recall, not having seen the film for a while...one was Riis on Sastre all the time. Riis' attempting to make Sastre a better rider, but Riis treated all his riders the same. And Sastre's personality needed a little softer approach to reach him. Second, the scene after the d'Huez time trail where it was apparent the Riis had decided that Basso had quit. Remember, this was the year that Basso's mom had cancer and he was talking to Lance pretty often for help. Riis suspected that Lance set Basso up a bit, softened him up some, psychologically.

Most people do not realize that pro cycling is really a head game.

Riis had/has a lot of success but he pretty much uses a one size fits all approach. Based on what I've read, and the speech he gives, "it's my money and I'll run the team the way I want...". There are different ways to do things but no one method of leading works for every follower.

Every time I watch that it somehow cracks me up. It's like there he was, and then he wasn't. It's been a while since I've watched that but I recall that Riis was blaming Julich for the incident.

I watched it with several people about half of whom were riders. Guess which half didn't understand why I laughed?

I watched it with several people about half of whom were riders. Guess which half didn't understand why I laughed?

Hmmmmm......that was like a sight gag...and the look on Riis' face was priceless.

There are two things I recall, not having seen the film for a while...one was Riis on Sastre all the time. Riis' attempting to make Sastre a better rider, but Riis treated all his riders the same. And Sastre's personality needed a little softer approach to reach him. Second, the scene after the d'Huez time trail where it was apparent the Riis had decided that Basso had quit. Remember, this was the year that Basso's mom had cancer and he was talking to Lance pretty often for help. Riis suspected that Lance set Basso up a bit, softened him up some, psychologically.

+1000.

There was a scene when Riis and Basso are talking about LA and what he had said (regarding racing). They both look at the camera, acknowledge it and stop talking. It's the only time that happens in the film. This was my take on it and that was the moment it clicked for me.

Interesting commentary; I should go back and watch it again. This DVD was of particular interest to me, because that was the year I went to see the Tour de France. It was interesting to see it from "the other side", so to speak.

...Herr Riis.

Herre Riis. He's Danish.

I'm not trolling. Riis looked so miserable in his role of leader. Nothing like the 100% grounded Johan Bruynel of UsPostal for exemple.

Bruyneel 100% grounded???

I'm going to send this to the Pro Cycling Forum. Should be able to continue and perhaps grow the conversation there.