50+ primer on bikes and politics.
#1
Boomer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 7,214
Bikes: Diamondback Clarity II frame homebuilt.
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16098 Post(s)
Liked 1,457 Times
in
1,064 Posts
50+ primer on bikes and politics.
This is being posted because many 50+ers who don't take part in some of the forums that cater to bike racing had questions earlier in the year about all of the politics surrounding the Tour de France.
Back then, we were wondering what all of the fuss was over which teams would be allowed to participate and why. Was it about drugs, ego, money or just plain power. Well, some of the answers are in and in some cases even more confusion exists than before.
The tour is underway and being run by the ASO (owners of the TDF) with help provided by the French cycling federation. The Pro Tour Organization had fought to retain control over big time professional bicycle racing on a world wide basis even to the point of threatening to ban teams that participated in the TDF without Pro Tour controls. As of monday, 17 of the 18 teams (out of a total of 20 in the Pro Tour ranks) taking part in the TDF had voted not to apply for liscences from the Pro Tour organization for next year. We have just watched a classic union busting war in which the union lost.
What will happen next...............that will be interesting to watch.
Back then, we were wondering what all of the fuss was over which teams would be allowed to participate and why. Was it about drugs, ego, money or just plain power. Well, some of the answers are in and in some cases even more confusion exists than before.
The tour is underway and being run by the ASO (owners of the TDF) with help provided by the French cycling federation. The Pro Tour Organization had fought to retain control over big time professional bicycle racing on a world wide basis even to the point of threatening to ban teams that participated in the TDF without Pro Tour controls. As of monday, 17 of the 18 teams (out of a total of 20 in the Pro Tour ranks) taking part in the TDF had voted not to apply for liscences from the Pro Tour organization for next year. We have just watched a classic union busting war in which the union lost.
What will happen next...............that will be interesting to watch.
__________________
#2
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
#3
Version 7.0
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 13,127
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 297 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1340 Post(s)
Liked 2,482 Times
in
1,457 Posts
This is one of the best TdFs in a long time and I have not missed any of the stages and even watched the recap on the rest day.
UCI, the international sanctioning body, is more than men's pro racing. It sanctions many events. Clearly, there is a power struggle between the promoters (such as ASA) of the European Grand Tours and UCI for the power to set the rules. In the US, the major race sanctioning body is the USCF. To race in their events one must have a license and follow their rules.
We are considering participating in an international event next year which requires a UCI license. We will NOT be on a pro team.
UCI, the international sanctioning body, is more than men's pro racing. It sanctions many events. Clearly, there is a power struggle between the promoters (such as ASA) of the European Grand Tours and UCI for the power to set the rules. In the US, the major race sanctioning body is the USCF. To race in their events one must have a license and follow their rules.
We are considering participating in an international event next year which requires a UCI license. We will NOT be on a pro team.
#4
Senior Member ??
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Englewood,Ohio
Posts: 5,098
Bikes: 2007 Trek Madone 5.0 WSD - 2007 Trek 4300 WSD - 2008 Trek 520 - 2014 Catrike Trail
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Why not
__________________
=============================================================
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-- Antonio Smith
=============================================================
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-- Antonio Smith
#5
Banned.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Post-partisan Paradise
Posts: 4,938
Bikes: GF Wahoo '05, Trek T1000 '04, Lemond Buenos Aires '07
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
2 Posts
How does the Astana bit figure into all of this?
And why has UCI made such a power grab?
Is the UN behind all of this? OK, just kidding with that one.
The whole thing seems more than a little Byzantine.
And why has UCI made such a power grab?
Is the UN behind all of this? OK, just kidding with that one.
The whole thing seems more than a little Byzantine.
#6
Boomer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 7,214
Bikes: Diamondback Clarity II frame homebuilt.
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16098 Post(s)
Liked 1,457 Times
in
1,064 Posts
I don't think that the UCI made a power grab............."Pro Tour" appears to be a subset under the auspices of UCI that is/was regulating the top 20 pro racing teams in the business.
The UCI is still going to be necessary for the bulk of the bike racers in the world.
For example........all decisions and determinations made during the TDF are applicable to France only as that is the total area of influence.
By interesting I mean we are now looking at a form of anything goes.
The UCI is still going to be necessary for the bulk of the bike racers in the world.
For example........all decisions and determinations made during the TDF are applicable to France only as that is the total area of influence.
By interesting I mean we are now looking at a form of anything goes.
__________________
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
The tour is underway and being run by the ASO (owners of the TDF) with help provided by the French cycling federation. The Pro Tour Organization had fought to retain control over big time professional bicycle racing on a world wide basis even to the point of threatening to ban teams that participated in the TDF without Pro Tour controls. As of monday, 17 of the 18 teams (out of a total of 20 in the Pro Tour ranks) taking part in the TDF had voted not to apply for liscences from the Pro Tour organization for next year. We have just watched a classic union busting war in which the union lost.
#8
Version 7.0
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 13,127
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 297 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1340 Post(s)
Liked 2,482 Times
in
1,457 Posts
UCI sets rules, including doping, that ASO did not want to follow and wanted to do as they please and invite whoever they wanted to their event and disqualify and remove immediately riders caught doping. Hence, a power struggle between UCI and ASO. It was further compounded when all the pro men's teams recently elected to pull out of the UCI.
Last edited by Hermes; 07-17-08 at 10:20 AM.
#9
His Brain is Gone!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Paoli, Wisconsin
Posts: 9,979
Bikes: RANS Stratus, Bridgestone CB-1, Trek 7600, Sun EZ-Rider AX, Fuji Absolute 1.0, Cayne Rambler 3
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The Red Sox are a half-game in front at the All-Star break.
__________________
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
#10
Boomer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 7,214
Bikes: Diamondback Clarity II frame homebuilt.
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16098 Post(s)
Liked 1,457 Times
in
1,064 Posts
Who are these "red" socks of which you speak?
__________________
#11
His Brain is Gone!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Paoli, Wisconsin
Posts: 9,979
Bikes: RANS Stratus, Bridgestone CB-1, Trek 7600, Sun EZ-Rider AX, Fuji Absolute 1.0, Cayne Rambler 3
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Browsing this thread was a bit of a cultural shock to me. Here are the terms used in it that I have never heard of before:
ASO
Pro Tour Organization
UCI
ASA
Astana
Rababank
Mind you, that I am not asking for anyone to define any of these terms. At least not for my sake.
ASO
Pro Tour Organization
UCI
ASA
Astana
Rababank
Mind you, that I am not asking for anyone to define any of these terms. At least not for my sake.
__________________
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
#12
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
On Holiday this week so the TDF is taking up part of my day. Normally in previous years by now I could pick out the stage and eventual winners. This year I can't. I think this is down to the drug control that has taken place. I know 3 have been banned for a new form of EPO- but that has been found with the stringent drug test's that are taking place. Other than Ricco- who found a sudden turn of speed on one of the stages in comparison to all the other competitors- There has been not one single rider that stands out as a "Winner". And Ricco is one of the banned.
So I don't think that ASO or UCI are going to be winners in the cycling world. What is going to be a winner is Cycling in general.
And Talking of Winners--- Mark Cavendish. 3 stage wins and a possible 4th tomorrow. AND if he makes it to the end- Possibly at the Champs Elise. And Drugs for Him? Hopefully it is no stronger than Earl Grey Tea and Chocolate Digestives.
Attachment is of Mark at the tour of Britain last year when he won the prologue Time trial
So I don't think that ASO or UCI are going to be winners in the cycling world. What is going to be a winner is Cycling in general.
And Talking of Winners--- Mark Cavendish. 3 stage wins and a possible 4th tomorrow. AND if he makes it to the end- Possibly at the Champs Elise. And Drugs for Him? Hopefully it is no stronger than Earl Grey Tea and Chocolate Digestives.
Attachment is of Mark at the tour of Britain last year when he won the prologue Time trial
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
Last edited by stapfam; 07-17-08 at 12:43 PM.
#13
Banned.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Post-partisan Paradise
Posts: 4,938
Bikes: GF Wahoo '05, Trek T1000 '04, Lemond Buenos Aires '07
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
2 Posts
And Talking of Winners--- Mark Cavendish. 3 stage wins and a possible 4th tomorrow. AND if he makes it to the end- Possibly at the Champs Elise. And Drugs for Him? Hopefully it is no stronger than Earl Grey Tea and Chocolate Digestives.
Attachment is of Mark at the tour of Britain last year when he won the prologue Time trial
Attachment is of Mark at the tour of Britain last year when he won the prologue Time trial
Just kidding of course. Cavendish is a stud and Team Columbia's performance makes me want to descend to the depths of Uber-poseur (don't think about the image too hard) and purchase a team jersey or something.
#14
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Well fine but it was good ol' George Hincapie who was doing all the heavy lifting so some Brit greyhound could bask in the glory.
Just kidding of course. Cavendish is a stud and Team Columbia's performance makes me want to descend to the depths of Uber-poseur (don't think about the image too hard) and purchase a team jersey or something.
Just kidding of course. Cavendish is a stud and Team Columbia's performance makes me want to descend to the depths of Uber-poseur (don't think about the image too hard) and purchase a team jersey or something.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#15
Senior Member
Every year I think I'm going to get excited about the Tour again....every year another doping scandal drives me away. As much as I love cycling, professional cycle racing has become a circus I just can't get excited about any more.
The low point for me was all the name-calling and sniping among Greg LeMond, Floyd Landis and Lance Armstrong, and based on today's revelations we are still just bouncing along on the bottom of the sports world.
The low point for me was all the name-calling and sniping among Greg LeMond, Floyd Landis and Lance Armstrong, and based on today's revelations we are still just bouncing along on the bottom of the sports world.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Kingwood, Texas
Posts: 619
Bikes: 1983 Nishiki Cresta (original owner), 1987 Centurion Lemans RS, 1996 Gary Fisher X-Caliber, His and Hers Trek 800's, Schwinn beach cruiser woman's frame, and grandson's Huffy learner bike.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts