"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Al-jazeera pro cycling team

Copied and pasted this from cyclingnew.com:

Aljazeera sponsors team

Arab news network Aljazeera will sponsor Qatar's first professional cycling team, debuting in the Tour of Qatar at the end of January. The sponsorship will come from the network's sports channel, and the team will be known as Aljazeera Sport Channel. The squad will number nine riders with Ahmed Al Humaidi as team as team director and manager.

Team roster: Ahmed Abduljaleel (Irq), Rdhwan Al-Moraqab (Qat), Khaleel Bduljanan (Qat), Tareq Esmaeili (Qat), Farkad Mohammed (Irq), Mihsien Reauf (Irq), Mohcena Rhiele (Mar), Ibrahim Said Khan (Qat), Faisal Thabet Shaif (Qat).

This should make things interesting. I wonder if they plan to ride Tour de Georgia.

Being serious, from my experiences, I hope they use helmets instead of turbans like I've seen a lot of muslim riders wear in the large group rides that I've been on.
Anyway, sport's a sport, a goal's a goal, good luck to them.

turbans make excellent helmets. apart from being super heavy they offer great protection.

[anecdotal evidence]
I remember a story from the last year or so: An elderly man was struck by a car while out walking at night. The 70-ish year old Sikh man ended up stuck head-first through the windshield of the car. he survival without massive head trauma was attributed to his turban.
[/anecdotal evidence]

turbans make excellent helmets. apart from being super heavy they offer great protection.

[anecdotal evidence]
I remember a story from the last year or so: An elderly man was struck by a car while out walking at night. The 70-ish year old Sikh man ended up stuck head-first through the windshield of the car. he survival without massive head trauma was attributed to his turban.
[/anecdotal evidence]

Uh....

sorry, it was the first thing that came to mind

but it'ls true.

maybe FOX news will start a team one of these days...

maybe FOX news will start a team one of these days...
LOL

They almost certainly have to now.

Maybe there is a helmet under the turban?

I think thats great news...

Being born behind the “Iron Curtain”, I realize that sports provide a great opportunity to bring different nations and cultures together. I think it is a positive event, but it also raises some concerns. We are not dealing with traditional circumstances, and we must not forget that some religious nut-cases may use any opportunity to harm Western societies in any way they can. I’m of course not talking about the athletes, but the logistics of moving and supporting a team may open doors for some undesirable elements. I wish I could keep this on a lighter note, but I have my reservations about this particular “news” organization.

Cheers

maybe FOX news will start a team one of these days...

LMAO!!!!

I can see it now...Bill O'Rielly will be the Director Sportife (sp) and in one of his drunken tirades beats the crap out of Lance Armstong after Lance wins the Tours prolog and team leader Brit Hume finishes last!

maybe FOX news will start a team one of these days...

FOX Rules:
1. NO foreign riders
2. Pledge of Allegiance to be recited 5 times a day - facing Washington D.C.
3. All riders will employ the Goose-step cadence technique

LMAO!!!!

I can see it now...Bill O'Rielly will be the Director Sportife (sp) and in one of his drunken tirades beats the crap out of Lance Armstong after Lance wins the Tours prolog and team leader Brit Hume finishes last!


I don't think that Bill O'Rielly would take that job. It would conflict with the "No Spin Zone" slogan.


Cheers

I don't think that Bill O'Rielly would take that job. It would conflict with the "No Spin Zone" slogan.


Cheers

Sure he would....he would make all of his riders mash the pedals...53-11 only....cadence not to exceed 50rpm!

....on a somewhat more serious note....I always worried about LA being a target post 9/11 because of the lack of security in the TDF. How tough would it be for some nutjob to pull the pin on a hand grenade and tackle LA on a climb ??? Don't want to bring the forum crashing down but it's crossed my mind more than once.....

....on a somewhat more serious note....I always worried about LA being a target post 9/11 because of the lack of security in the TDF. How tough would it be for some nutjob to pull the pin on a hand grenade and tackle LA on a climb ??? Don't want to bring the forum crashing down but it's crossed my mind more than once.....

After the Olympic marathon, one has to wonder if merely Cornelius Horan will show up at some TDF stage.

After the Olympic marathon, one has to wonder if merely Cornelius Horan will show up at some TDF stage.

Didn't know who Horan was...just Googled him...exactly what I mean but someone not so harmless... :(

....on a somewhat more serious note....I always worried about LA being a target post 9/11 because of the lack of security in the TDF. How tough would it be for some nutjob to pull the pin on a hand grenade and tackle LA on a climb ??? Don't want to bring the forum crashing down but it's crossed my mind more than once.....

('muslim') extremists love France. They wouldn't do such a thing.

('muslim') extremists love France. They wouldn't do such a thing.

....well pardon me for not being so convinced.... ;)

someone could knock lance off his bike and club him like a baby seal. you just can't worry about stuff like that. it's one of those things that no one can do anything about until it actually happens.
i've always wondered what would happen if some radical schmuck decided to blow himself up along a race route somewhere, but there's no point to even wondering about it. you couldn't stop someone from doing it.

someone could knock lance off his bike and club him like a baby seal. you just can't worry about stuff like that. it's one of those things that no one can do anything about until it actually happens.
i've always wondered what would happen if some radical schmuck decided to blow himself up along a race route somewhere, but there's no point to even wondering about it. you couldn't stop someone from doing it.

Well the baby seal approach wouldn't last long because people would intervene quickly....it's the hand grenade approach that bothers me.....I realize like you said you can't let it run your life but.....

Another question....I started following cycling during the Lemond years...yeah I fell off a little during the Indurain rein...and then picked up with LA. However, is it me or are the crowds a little crazier now than they were some years ago ??? Or is it just my gringo paranoia.... ;)

i'm the same. the lemond years were when i started, too. i think fans in general -- in any sport -- are crazier these days. golf is an example, aleit on a much lower level. the golf clap isn't what it used to be.

('muslim') extremists love France. They wouldn't do such a thing.

You might want to review your Franco-Algerian history ... :rolleyes:

You might want to review your Franco-Algerian history ... :rolleyes:

Please give me the Cliff Notes refresher course..... :rolleyes:

You might want to review your Franco-Algerian history ... :rolleyes:

Exactly...and people wonder why France wasn't eager to invade Iraq? They've had their share of occuping muslim countries. For that matter we could have learned a lot from their time in Viet Nam but of course we didn't!

Please give me the Cliff Notes refresher course..... :rolleyes:

Tsk Tsk Tsk ... you won't learn that way! Seriously ... doesn't anyone do history anymore? The Alerigan War of Independence (1954-62) left a huge legacy of bitterness between France and Algeria that persists to this day. Libraries are great ... and free. Lesson ends.

You might want to review your Franco-Algerian history ... :rolleyes:

Yea but they know all they have to do now is go in there and the French will surrender like they have for a century. Plus all that money that they were getting from the food for oil deal must have bought someone something in France. LOL Is this a cycling forum? :rolleyes:

Tsk Tsk Tsk ... you won't learn that way! Seriously ... doesn't anyone do history anymore? The Alerigan War of Independence (1954-62) left a huge legacy of bitterness between France and Algeria that persists to this day. Libraries are great ... and free. Lesson ends.

This is why Americans think the French were wussies for not invading Iraq, most have no sense of history. BTW Grasshopper we would have lost our fight for independance against the Brits had the French not bailed us out.

BTW Grasshopper we would have lost our fight for independance against the Brits had the French not bailed us out.

Oh yea I think I remember them telling me something about that in elementry school, then in middle school and then in HS as well as college. Ok so over 200 years ago when someone else was fighting the Brits for them the French had some balls. :D I guess we paid them back when we kicked Germany out. ;)

Oh yea I think I remember them telling me something about that in elementry school, then in middle school and then in HS as well as college. Ok so over 200 years ago when someone else was fighting the Brits for them the French had some balls. :D I guess we paid them back when we kicked Germany out. ;)


I didn't mean for this to turn into a political discussion when I brought up my concerns over security at the TDF. I just thought that anyone who meant to to LA harm could do so easily along one of the stage finishes where people are not kept from the riders.....I realize the TDF is a big event that take place at many locations but I think they should make more of an effort at security when the riders are coming through....

Food for oil? Lemond ate well and lubed his chain in Algeria, but the French actually won? I think I got it. I will pass this on to my kids so that we NEVER FORGET.

I guess the original topic of this thread was Al-jazeera becoming a cycling team sponsor. Do you think team members would be beheaded for doping?

Cheers

awww...
look what happened to this poor thread. taken over by political views. its suffering. let's kill it.

I'm guessing it would not be worth World Cycling Production's effort to stock the jersey for sale. Unless there is someone out there who is totally masochistic, and wants even more abuse from motorists... :eek:

even i would throw something at that guy.

You might want to review your Franco-Algerian history ... :rolleyes:

I wasn't even referring to French policy. Today's french society is different.

No Politics Damn You!

(Start of Rant) Why all the grief about Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera is a sign that the middle east is getting a free press. This can only be a good thing. Whatever happened to I disagree with what you say but I'll defend to the death your right to say it. Even Stalin allowed freedom of speech for opinions that agreed with his. I'm from Australia and I used to get upset when the Indonesian media used to bag us for going into East Timor. I now realize that a free press means that things will be said that you don't like. Go the Al Jazeera cycling team. The more our aggression is played out on the sporting field rather than on the battle field the better off we will all be. (End of Rant :D )

someone could knock lance off his bike and club him like a baby seal. you just can't worry about stuff like that. it's one of those things that no one can do anything about until it actually happens.
i've always wondered what would happen if some radical schmuck decided to blow himself up along a race route somewhere, but there's no point to even wondering about it. you couldn't stop someone from doing it.


How about knocking him off his bike and clubbing him like Eddie Merkx? Sad part is, that happened to him.

I remember seeing a documentary about al Jazeera. They're really just journalists like anywhere else- except maybe Fox, since at Jazeera they actually seem to have brains and integrity. Also, a lot of them seem to be pretty secular muslims. Probably a lot of the cyclists will be as well.

They're really just journalists like anywhere else- except maybe Fox, since at Jazeera they actually seem to have brains and integrity.al Jazeera is the Fox equivalent to the Muslim world: sensationalism for profit. Brains, sure. Integrity, don't bet on it. Nothing different between Fox and al Jazeera except that Fox pitches its "news" to Americans, al Jazeera pitches its "news" to Muslims.

Its very clear from reading this thread that none of you know anything about Al Jazeera and are basing your remarks on the propoganda of the radical and biased media coverage in the United States. Al Jazeera is a reputable and independent news organization. They present their news from the point of view of muslims, similar to how american news presents their biased coverage to suit the extremist views of americans (and I'm not just talking about FOX).

Al Jazeera is not staffed by a bunch of “nut-cases”, and the suggestion that their involvement in bike racing somehow jeopardizes the lives of your precious american riders is ignorant and smacks of racism.

Anyone ever noticed how our media gives the impression that everything the government does is reasonable, right and just? Well so does everyone else's media. Do your homework and think for yourself and you'll be O.K.

Its very clear from reading this thread that none of you know anything about Al Jazeera and are basing your remarks on the propoganda of the radical and biased media coverage in the United States. Al Jazeera is a reputable and independent news organization. They present their news from the point of view of muslims, similar to how american news presents their biased coverage to suit the extremist views of americans (and I'm not just talking about FOX).

Al Jazeera is not staffed by a bunch of “nut-cases”, and the suggestion that their involvement in bike racing somehow jeopardizes the lives of your precious american riders is ignorant and smacks of racism.

My point about my concern for Lance's safety at the tour had nothing to do with the Al-Jazeera cycling team. He could easily be attacked while riding the Tour by anyone with an agenda, political or otherwise...and his sucess & nationality only serve to make him a more desirable target abroad.

I have no great love of either Fox or Al Jazeera, the network, or at least how they convey the news....however, it's curious to me why whenever Osama or Al-Zarchawi (spelling ?) release a tape it seems to go directly to Al Jazeera ?? Why don't these terrorists send a tape to the BBC or CNN or some other "neutral" news organization ???

I will also point out that, even as a democrat, I felt that our media (other than Fox which was biased the other way) was noticeably biased against Bush and pro Kerry this past election season. I don't know if it's me paying closer attention to these things as I get older (41) or what. I think the other thing that was eye-opening for me was listening to BBC news streaming over the internet.....its very refreshing to get a different take on world events and it could well serve us to have more people do this and realize that there are opinions & views closely held other than our own.

Its very clear from reading this thread that none of you know anything about Al Jazeera and are basing your remarks on the propoganda of the radical and biased media coverage in the United States. Al Jazeera is a reputable and independent news organization. They present their news from the point of view of muslims, similar to how american news presents their biased coverage to suit the extremist views of americans (and I'm not just talking about FOX).

Al Jazeera is not staffed by a bunch of “nut-cases”, and the suggestion that their involvement in bike racing somehow jeopardizes the lives of your precious american riders is ignorant and smacks of racism.

I stand corrected. World Cycling Productions should carry the Al-Jazeera jerseys... :rolleyes:

I generally have better judgement than this, but I hate idiots bashing France for being beaten in WW2. Let's look at some stats

WW I Casualties
France 1.4 mil dead 4.2mil wounded casualties 75%
Great Britain 700k dead 1.6mil wounded casualties 44%
United state 117k dead 204k wounded casualties 8%

WW II casualties
France 201k dead 400k wounded
UK 357k dead 369k wounded
US 291k dead 670k wounded

Now, when you have two wars 20 years apart and the last one killed or wounded 75% of your soldiers how well do you think you can fight? When 1.4 mil young men die in 4 years how many are left to have children that will be ready to fight again in 20 years? They still lost almost as many as we did in WWII even though they fought for a much shorter period and didn't fight the Japanese. They lost plain and simple and they fought a lot harder than most of the other countries in mainland Europe.

I generally have better judgement than this, but I hate idiots bashing France for being beaten in WW2. Let's look at some stats

WW I Casualties
France 1.4 mil dead 4.2mil wounded casualties 75%
Great Britain 700k dead 1.6mil wounded casualties 44%
United state 117k dead 204k wounded casualties 8%

WW II casualties
France 201k dead 400k wounded
UK 357k dead 369k wounded
US 291k dead 670k wounded

Now, when you have two wars 20 years apart and the last one killed or wounded 75% of your soldiers how well do you think you can fight? When 1.4 mil young men die in 4 years how many are left to have children that will be ready to fight again in 20 years? They still lost almost as many as we did in WWII even though they fought for a much shorter period and didn't fight the Japanese. They lost plain and simple and they fought a lot harder than most of the other countries in mainland Europe.


Why did you leave out the percentages in WWII?
How many died in Germany, yet they had millions for armies 20 years later.
The french capitulated, and became "Vichey France"

Tell the WHOLE story why don't you?

Why did you leave out the percentages in WWII?
How many died in Germany, yet they had millions for armies 20 years later.
The french capitulated, and became "Vichey France"

Tell the WHOLE story why don't you?


When did this become about France ??
I made a comment about security at the TDF...not the whole country ????? :rolleyes:

Can't you already hear Phil, and Paul?

"Look @ MhiJuuim bombing down that decent!"

"It's a suiced attack by Mohammed, he'll never make it over the Galibier by himself!"

Its very clear from reading this thread that none of you know anything about Al Jazeera and are basing your remarks on the propoganda of the radical and biased media coverage in the United States. Al Jazeera is a reputable and independent news organization. They present their news from the point of view of muslims, similar to how american news presents their biased coverage to suit the extremist views of americans (and I'm not just talking about FOX).

Al Jazeera is not staffed by a bunch of “nut-cases”, and the suggestion that their involvement in bike racing somehow jeopardizes the lives of your precious american riders is ignorant and smacks of racism.


Wrong!!! I had this same discussion on another forum recently. Al Jazeera is not reputable...they are inciteful and wrong on coverage on a regular basis. I don't want to start a big argument here but it didn't take many days of links from Al Jazeera articles to prove my point. They twist the facts to incite arabs against the west and are far worse than any USA or other western mainstream news agency such as FOX (which I hate and have no respect). But, I have no probs with them sponsoring a bike team and racing.


tomcat

Can't you already hear Phil, and Paul?

"Look @ MhiJuuim bombing down that decent!"

"It's a suiced attack by Mohammed, he'll never make it over the Galibier by himself!"

:roflmao:

Why did you leave out the percentages in WWII?
How many died in Germany, yet they had millions for armies 20 years later.
The french capitulated, and became "Vichey France"

Tell the WHOLE story why don't you?

This isn't entirely correct. Vichy France comprised the more southern 2/5ths of France and was administered by the Petain government from the town of Vichy. The upper 3/5ths of France was directly occupied and administered by the German occupying forces. Vichy only came into being after the French premier - Paul Reynaud - was ousted. Reynaud wanted to move the French government to it's African colonies and continue to fight Germany.