Cipo - why noit finish something
12-24-03, 09:45 PM
#26
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Originally Posted by velocipedio
i'm guessing that you guys are fairly new to the sport of cycling...
there have always been at least two kinds of riders, one-day specialists and grand tour specialists. these two different kinds of racing require different skills and physiologies. it is a very rare occurance when someone like a merckx or hinault comes along who can do both.
one thing you'll note is that grand-tour general classification contenders rarely rack up impressive stage wins. the reason for this is that the short-term effort needed to win on a single day inevitably subverts the long-term effort of finishing with the lowest cumulative time after three weeks of racing.
the bottom line is that they are different disciplines, just as the gc, points and mountains competitions are different disciplines.
croak writes:
i can really see the sponsors who keep the sport of cycling alive really going for this. the race would not go on without without them, and they will not sponsor teams unless they get exposure. there can only be one overall winner, but there can be almost two dozen stage winners, guaranteeing plenty of exposure for less-than-overall wins.
personally, i think that no one should be allowed to race in the tour de france unless they also race at least three of the major classics and two of the shorter tours, with at least six months of continuous competition. so-long lance.
there have always been at least two kinds of riders, one-day specialists and grand tour specialists. these two different kinds of racing require different skills and physiologies. it is a very rare occurance when someone like a merckx or hinault comes along who can do both.
one thing you'll note is that grand-tour general classification contenders rarely rack up impressive stage wins. the reason for this is that the short-term effort needed to win on a single day inevitably subverts the long-term effort of finishing with the lowest cumulative time after three weeks of racing.
the bottom line is that they are different disciplines, just as the gc, points and mountains competitions are different disciplines.
croak writes:
i can really see the sponsors who keep the sport of cycling alive really going for this. the race would not go on without without them, and they will not sponsor teams unless they get exposure. there can only be one overall winner, but there can be almost two dozen stage winners, guaranteeing plenty of exposure for less-than-overall wins.
personally, i think that no one should be allowed to race in the tour de france unless they also race at least three of the major classics and two of the shorter tours, with at least six months of continuous competition. so-long lance.
I understand why it happens, my point is more that there are one day races for the one day specialists. That's where they should derive their glory. They are riding the tail-coates of the grand tours (and in particular, it's popularity in the US) and reaping the financial rewards.
In essence, Cipo is getting paid for being a quitter, which detracts from the morality of the sport. Cycling has always been a sport of gentlemen (and ladies!) in my eyes.
To highlight my point, Brad McGee (FDJ) won the Prologue of this years event, the short time trial (5km? I can't remember...). Now, he is a sensational time trialist (World Champion at one stage?, junior for sure) and could have just trained for that stage, won it and gone home. He probably would have blown everyone away if he did this but a fair margin. But he didn't. He is no mountain goat and ended up falling well back in the field. He did, however, push through the entire race to help team mate Cadel Evans win the green jersey over McEwen. Now, he is a cyclist, a gentleman and a damn hard worker. An Aussie too!
Yeah, so I'm biased... sue me
12-24-03, 10:16 PM
#27
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In essence, Cipo is getting paid for being a quitter, which detracts from the morality of the sport.
Cycling has always been a sport of gentlemen (and ladies!) in my eyes.
the pélissiers were "gentlemen?' maurice garin was a gentleman? eugene christophe?
the original idea behind six-day races was that the racers would ride for six days. straight. 24-hours a day. people would go to the velodromes to watch racers crash and burn, hallucinate and die.
there was nothing "always" gentlemanly about the sport of cycling. it is a circus. the best racers are the best showmen. cipollini is a show man. and he has a far more extensive palmares than any tour winner of the last five years.
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when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
12-24-03, 10:20 PM
#28
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Cadel Evans Wins Green Jersey in Tour de France!
Originally Posted by Croak
...To highlight my point, Brad McGee (FDJ)...did, however, push through the entire race to help team mate Cadel Evans win the green jersey...
12-25-03, 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Laggard
Lance doesn't abandon the TDF though. That's the difference.
