Why the Tour de ... race never have Asian or Black people?
10-07-05, 01:59 AM
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Why the Tour de ... race never have Asian or Black people?
I don't know man. Whenever I saw a group picture taken from the Tour of de France or any other Tour, I never see Chinese, Janpanese, Korea or black team in a race. I am not sure is it because there is no sponsor or they are not up to speed?
If the Black can run fast in an Olympic events, why can't they do road riding? It seems like road riding is a White people privilege. I am not racists here but look at all the events. Pictures and TV tell the truth. I know majority of Chinese people in China are still riding bicycle daily, why aren't they form as a team?
If the Black can run fast in an Olympic events, why can't they do road riding? It seems like road riding is a White people privilege. I am not racists here but look at all the events. Pictures and TV tell the truth. I know majority of Chinese people in China are still riding bicycle daily, why aren't they form as a team?
10-07-05, 02:05 AM
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I give up. I have no ideas. Do you have any theories?
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10-07-05, 02:23 AM
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A Japanese team took part in the Tour of Britain.
It's cultural differences that prevent pros from different backgrounds. Note the lack of black F1 drivers, similarly before Woods with golfing.
Obviously all you need to ride a bike is great legs, and that can come from any race. But you also need to be brought up in a culture of bike racing. This may be the barrier for other cultures.
It's cultural differences that prevent pros from different backgrounds. Note the lack of black F1 drivers, similarly before Woods with golfing.
Obviously all you need to ride a bike is great legs, and that can come from any race. But you also need to be brought up in a culture of bike racing. This may be the barrier for other cultures.
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10-07-05, 02:25 AM
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There are many different Tours. Not just just the European ones. I know there is the tour of hokkaido, tour of Indonesia, and the Tour du Sιnιgal. All of the places have there own cycling teams. They probably either don't have the money or don't get invited to the big Tours.
10-07-05, 02:28 AM
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PeaceG, your question is naive. considering that the tour de france is the biggest bike race on earth the prize money is a joke. Lance's paycheck comes from his endorsements not racing. with that said, with sports contracts in the tens of millions a year from the major leagues, what do you think people of any color with speed and talent would do? 
just because everyone in the country rides a bike does not mean they will develop racers. they ride bikes in china because they are can't afford anything else. they ride bikes that weigh 50 pounds. how can a society develop racers when they are trying to put food on table?
I know we worry about our next set of tires, but get your head out of sand and learn what real issues are for people around the world.
fyi: https://www.webcorcycling.com/2005/Mens/2005_news.htm
check out beppu: https://team.discovery.com/meet/meet.html
just because everyone in the country rides a bike does not mean they will develop racers. they ride bikes in china because they are can't afford anything else. they ride bikes that weigh 50 pounds. how can a society develop racers when they are trying to put food on table?
I know we worry about our next set of tires, but get your head out of sand and learn what real issues are for people around the world.
fyi: https://www.webcorcycling.com/2005/Mens/2005_news.htm
check out beppu: https://team.discovery.com/meet/meet.html
10-07-05, 02:48 AM
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It's kind of like why is it only Americans who play in the baseball World Series.
I think teams have to qualify in the European tour circuit to be able to race in the TDF and non European sponsors just aren't going to get a return on there promotional dollar in order to justify sponsoring a team.
That's my guess. Does any one know how a team gets into the TDF?
Regards, Anthony
I think teams have to qualify in the European tour circuit to be able to race in the TDF and non European sponsors just aren't going to get a return on there promotional dollar in order to justify sponsoring a team.
That's my guess. Does any one know how a team gets into the TDF?
Regards, Anthony
10-07-05, 02:58 AM
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That's my guess. Does any one know how a team gets into the TDF?
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10-07-05, 03:56 AM
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There is a Kansas city mo riding group called the major taylor flaming sprokets. They are completely based around African american youth. However I'm a white guy who does a lot of stuff with them, so they won't discriminate.
Usually they take the kid who's interested and equip them and teach them to ride. They usually get an older road bike (but still nice) and clipless shoes and pedals, and shorts, jerseys and tights etc.
They could either ride to be healthy or if they're interested in racing the racers and mentors in the group (I'm one of them) will expose them to racing and teach them to race safely. After that we give them a list of local teams and how to contact them.
So far we are about 12 strong at the moment, things might change as it get's older.
Pm me if you want to make a donation or get more info.
Usually they take the kid who's interested and equip them and teach them to ride. They usually get an older road bike (but still nice) and clipless shoes and pedals, and shorts, jerseys and tights etc.
They could either ride to be healthy or if they're interested in racing the racers and mentors in the group (I'm one of them) will expose them to racing and teach them to race safely. After that we give them a list of local teams and how to contact them.
So far we are about 12 strong at the moment, things might change as it get's older.
Pm me if you want to make a donation or get more info.
10-07-05, 04:45 AM
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Originally Posted by EURO
so you need European sponsors and European pros for them to watch.
Then there is Liberty Mutual's subsidary...
Zipp wheels made in Indianapolis
Scott USA, Trek, and Cannondale?
sheesh....
Last edited by roadwarrior; 10-07-05 at 05:01 AM.
10-07-05, 04:51 AM
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Originally Posted by PeaceGrabber
I don't know man. Whenever I saw a group picture taken from the Tour of de France or any other Tour, I never see Chinese, Janpanese, Korea or black team in a race. I am not sure is it because there is no sponsor or they are not up to speed?
If the Black can run fast in an Olympic events, why can't they do road riding? It seems like road riding is a White people privilege. I am not racists here but look at all the events. Pictures and TV tell the truth. I know majority of Chinese people in China are still riding bicycle daily, why aren't they form as a team?
If the Black can run fast in an Olympic events, why can't they do road riding? It seems like road riding is a White people privilege. I am not racists here but look at all the events. Pictures and TV tell the truth. I know majority of Chinese people in China are still riding bicycle daily, why aren't they form as a team?
10-07-05, 05:04 AM
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DAVITAMON-LOTTO - Belgian pharmaceuticals company, Belgian national lottery
QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC - Belgium-based company that produces flooring products
TEAM CSC - American IT company.
EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI - Basque telecommunications company
LLES BALEARS - CAISSE D'EPARGNE - The Balearic Islands government
LIBERTY SEGUROS - WάRTH TEAM - Liberty Seguros is the spanish arm of a US insurance company
SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR - Saunier Duval is a heating company and Prodir a Swiss company that manufactures pens
BOUYGUES TELECOM - French mobile telecommunications company
CREDIT AGRICOLE - French bank
COFIDIS, LE CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE - One of France's leading credit companies
FRANΗAISE DES JEUX - French national lottery
GEROLSTEINER - German bottled water
T-MOBILE TEAM - German telecoms
DOMINA VACANZE - Italian travel agency
FASSA BORTOLO - Italian cement manufacturer
LAMPRE - CAFFITA - Italian sheet metal production and coffee machines
LIQUIGAS-BIANCHI - Italian gas producer, Italian bike manufacturer
RABOBANK - Dutch banking firm
PHONAK HEARING SYSTEMS - Swiss manufacturer of hearing aids
DISCOVERY CHANNEL PRO CYCLING TEAM - US television company
That's three Pro Tour teams with US sponsorship, and all of them sell products available in Europe. I think you could only argue that Discovery are trying to sell product to Americans through the Pro Tour. CSC being an international company, and Liberty Mutual using the spanish name for the team.
sheesh....
QUICK STEP - INNERGETIC - Belgium-based company that produces flooring products
TEAM CSC - American IT company.
EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI - Basque telecommunications company
LLES BALEARS - CAISSE D'EPARGNE - The Balearic Islands government
LIBERTY SEGUROS - WάRTH TEAM - Liberty Seguros is the spanish arm of a US insurance company
SAUNIER DUVAL - PRODIR - Saunier Duval is a heating company and Prodir a Swiss company that manufactures pens
BOUYGUES TELECOM - French mobile telecommunications company
CREDIT AGRICOLE - French bank
COFIDIS, LE CREDIT PAR TELEPHONE - One of France's leading credit companies
FRANΗAISE DES JEUX - French national lottery
GEROLSTEINER - German bottled water
T-MOBILE TEAM - German telecoms
DOMINA VACANZE - Italian travel agency
FASSA BORTOLO - Italian cement manufacturer
LAMPRE - CAFFITA - Italian sheet metal production and coffee machines
LIQUIGAS-BIANCHI - Italian gas producer, Italian bike manufacturer
RABOBANK - Dutch banking firm
PHONAK HEARING SYSTEMS - Swiss manufacturer of hearing aids
DISCOVERY CHANNEL PRO CYCLING TEAM - US television company
That's three Pro Tour teams with US sponsorship, and all of them sell products available in Europe. I think you could only argue that Discovery are trying to sell product to Americans through the Pro Tour. CSC being an international company, and Liberty Mutual using the spanish name for the team.
sheesh....
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10-07-05, 05:07 AM
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Originally Posted by PeaceGrabber
...Pictures and TV tell the truth....
10-07-05, 05:52 AM
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The tour De France is by invitation only. So ask the tour's organizer's that question. However here is a link to pro road teams. https://www.dailypeloton.com/teamlinks.asp
10-07-05, 06:34 AM
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The tour De France is by invitation only.
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10-07-05, 07:26 AM
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Hunter - nice choice of avatar.
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10-07-05, 07:34 AM
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You also need to put this in historical perspective. Only in recent years has the TDF become an event on the world stage. In 1986,Greg Lemond was the first winner of the TDF, not from continental Europe. Since then it has obviously (at least for the time being) become much more popular in the U.S. Now Australian riders are having sucess in the TDF (other than on GC) and its growing in Australia. It's reasonably likely the popularity in Australia can spread to Asia. Overtime you're likely to see Asian riders and African American riders, but today it's still a largely European dominated sport.
10-07-05, 07:37 AM
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"But Dad, I want to be a pro Bowler!" I couldn't resist.
"White people privilege?" Tell em to buy a bike and use it. Ain't no one saying they can't, is there?
I couldn't resist."White people privilege?" Tell em to buy a bike and use it. Ain't no one saying they can't, is there?
10-07-05, 08:10 AM
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Hmmm....this is a tough question. Let me ask some experts - Al Campanis and Jimmy the Greek - and get back to you.
55/Rad
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10-07-05, 08:19 AM
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Well, how many black road cyclists do you know? How many Chinese road cyclists do you know? It's all proportional. How can you expect 1% of the cycling demographic to make up a huge part of the racer's total?
Also, on the Tiger Woods comment: Tiger in no way shape or form "paved the way" for Black golfers. First of all, the only other predominant "black" golfer is Vijay Singh who is Fijian(sp?). Second of all, Tiger Woods isn't even half black.
Taken from a website:
Tiger is not completely of African-American descent. Earl Woods, his father, is half black, one-quarter American Indian and one-quarter Chinese. Kultida is half Thai, one-quarter Chinese and one-quarter white.
Now, this makes Tiger 1 quarter black, one eigth native american, one quarter chinese, one quarter thai, and one eigth caucasian.
I really have no idea why everyone sees him as Black.
Also, on the Tiger Woods comment: Tiger in no way shape or form "paved the way" for Black golfers. First of all, the only other predominant "black" golfer is Vijay Singh who is Fijian(sp?). Second of all, Tiger Woods isn't even half black.
Taken from a website:
Tiger is not completely of African-American descent. Earl Woods, his father, is half black, one-quarter American Indian and one-quarter Chinese. Kultida is half Thai, one-quarter Chinese and one-quarter white.
Now, this makes Tiger 1 quarter black, one eigth native american, one quarter chinese, one quarter thai, and one eigth caucasian.
I really have no idea why everyone sees him as Black.
10-07-05, 08:19 AM
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Bike racing is also relatively expensive because of the equipment. Competitive bikes ain't cheap and you need a bunch of them, plus trainers, cars, chefs, and many other people to supoort the team. I think that puts a burden on people who live in less wealthy regions of the world. It's much cheaper to become a world-class marathon runner than compete in the TDF, for example.
As for places like Japan who can afford it, maybe there's not enough interest to field a competitive team... or it could be that the French are not keen to open up the tour more than they have. I mean, some people in that country still have a problem with an American winning so much...
As for places like Japan who can afford it, maybe there's not enough interest to field a competitive team... or it could be that the French are not keen to open up the tour more than they have. I mean, some people in that country still have a problem with an American winning so much...
10-07-05, 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by 55/Rad
Hmmm....this is a tough question. Let me ask some experts - Al Campanis and Jimmy the Greek - and get back to you.
55/Rad
55/Rad
Rad...you kill me
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10-07-05, 08:27 AM
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There is the Marco Polo team which consisted of mainly Asian riders. They are div 3 team and so they don't get invited to race the Tour. I am sure China/Hong Kong can easily finance a pro team. The issue is talent and the culture.
10-07-05, 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Gus Riley
"But Dad, I want to be a pro Bowler!" ?
?You're showing your age. Best bike film IMHO. (Breaking Away,isn't a bike film, its a film with bikes).
10-07-05, 08:43 AM
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or it could be that the French are not keen to open up the tour more than they have. I mean, some people in that country still have a problem with an American winning so much...
You automatically get entry to the tdf if you are a Pro Tour team. The Pro Tour is organised by the UCI, which is an international body, based in Switzerland. The Tdf organisers and the UCI are NOT on good terms, so the the 'French' have very little say on who takes part in the tour, apart from the wildcard entry.
https://www.uciprotour.com/
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