takebackthetour.com
by bethie on Jun 22, 2008 6:18 PM EDT
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PrintI'm having really mixed feelings about versus channel's takebackthetour.com ad campaign. The first commercial that aired, showing little Tommy Voeckler climbing was OK, but the new one that is showing today (June 22nd) during Cyclism Sunday is a bit disingenous I think. I think what I most object to is that last shot of David Millar, who is shown in his Saunier Duval kit. IIRC, Millar was riding for Cofidis when he was busted for using PEDs. So why not show him in his Slipstream kit if he wants to be made example of? I think it's unfair of Versus to cast aspersions on Saunier Duval, especially since they were the team who gave him a chance to come back to the pro peloton.
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I agree
while I think it’s good they’re acknowledging the doping problems that have occurred, to lump Millar in a Saunier-Duval uniform going backwards with Landis “unreceiving” his final yellow jersey or others (Ullrich, Vino) going backwards doesn’t seem right, as by the time he was with Saunier-Duval he’d completed his suspension. Surely they could find coverage of him at Cofidis or at the worlds he “won”?
And not to be a stickler for details (though that's what I get paid for)...
Landis’ appeal is still pending, so it’s a bit inconsistent to lump him with the others. However, the flip side is that they couldn’t make that commercial without him – to do so would be to ignore the 800 pound gorilla. And he is under suspension, appeal or no.
Thinking hard - really hard - of something witty to say....
Landis
At least Landis has been given a hearing and been found guilty of doping. That’s more than you can say for Rasmussen or Ullrich.
If anything, it’s unfair to Rasmussen and Ullrich to lump them in with Landis, a convicted (or whatever the term is in doping proceedings) doper.
by Susie Hartigan on Jun 23, 2008 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
well
I think it’s fantastic. It’s a nice change from them pretending that bad things don’t happen. But I also think maybe it’s a little too optimistic, but we’ll see.
Team Gunners
to clarify
not that Millar shouldn’t have been included or that I disagree with the idea of the ad – more just that Millar wasn’t on Saunier-Duval when he was arrested/suspended – so the concept as I see it of “going back” in terms of erasing the questionable performances becomes tarnished by their inaccuracy with Millar. (Then again, perhaps the majority watching the Tour on Versus in July don’t know or care who’s who in the ad or what team they’re on anyway … )
question for legal/int. prop types
Would Vs. have had to get clearance to use Millar’s image in that connection?
And if so, from who? Somehow I doubt Vaughters and Ellis would sign off on their co-owner appearing in Slipstream kit . . .
Well
they own the images already from their broadcasts; the pictured athletes never own rights in this kind of stock footage. Imagine how complex it would be if they did. At most the athletes own the right to say you can’t make it look like we’re endorsing your product, but that shouldn’t be an issue here.
The question for Millar is whether it’s slander or the like. I think their defense against a claim from Millar is his past, and anyway it won’t cost him anything. They might have a harder time with a case from SDS, though even there VS can just say “we weren’t implicating Saunier Duval, just David Millar, duh.” In any case, it’s probably not worth pursuing. I mean, what could SDS’s damages possibly be?
"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."
by Chris Fontecchio on Jun 23, 2008 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
There was a longer version shown during the TdS coverage this afternoon, which
included a brief shot of Pantani and Riis, too.
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor. - George Carlin
If you listen to the words of the music being played
its says (as Millar is rolling back up the ramp) – “you know its never too late to make a brand new start – to make a brand new start”
To me, the symbolism is Millar ready to start over again ,now,clean, at the top of the ramp. I actually like the commercial.
I agree about Millar
It’s irresponsible and lazy of Versus to lump Millar in Saunier Duval kit with Landis in Phonak kit and Vino in Astana kit. Why not show Landis going backward in US Postal kit, if the team kit doesn’t matter?
Strictly speaking, Ullrich in Bianchi kit is also inaccurate, but since the team is no longer around to be smeared, it’s less egregious, I suppose.
Tha Backward ad is great!
Millar in SD vs. Cofidis is an issue, I agree, but that pales in comparison to the need to come clean and cleaner.
"I won! I won! I don't have to go to school anymore." -- Eddy Merckx, after winning his first bike race
Spoil sport...
:-P
"I won! I won! I don't have to go to school anymore." -- Eddy Merckx, after winning his first bike race
don't like
Always the riders. Where are DSs, team doctors, soigors, the rest of the riders on the teams for the riders singled out here? They acted alone right? Team mgt never had a clue right? bologna. And what’s the deal with E Zabel and some of the commentators out there still picking him (sentimental) for wins? How does that work? How’s he so different?
by phantom_51 on Jun 23, 2008 2:26 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Good point...
The teams need to be called out, no question about it. That’s why I think the SD/Cofidis issue is an issue.
"I won! I won! I don't have to go to school anymore." -- Eddy Merckx, after winning his first bike race
It always takes me so long
to get to the crux of what I really want to say. So yeah, the David Millar in SDV kit irked me, but I think what really irks me about this ad campaign is the holier than thou attitude of Versus, to get us, the fans all riled up about the fact that the dopers stole from us.
It’s not like Versus lost any money because of the dopers. Also, what phantom_51 said.
60% of the time, it works every time.
I'm okay with the ads
Other than I think if they wanted to use Millar it should’ve been in Cofidis kit. I think (especially with the music choice) it would’ve been cool to see them have him roll back in Cofidis and back out in a Slippie kit to show the change going on.
My one problem with VS doing this as they were a huge part of the don’t talk about it all these years. Are they really any better as they knew (as deep as they are involved with the sport) what was going on and probably better than we did of many of the who’s it was going on with. They too should not walk on such high grounds with out showing both bad spot things were in and the good spot it is headed in. And I agree with most above that it is utlimately the rider that takes the drugs but they often don’t do it alone.
If this is what VS wants to do to say we are no longer standing for doping, then I am okay with it. As long as they don’t get stuck on just doing this. It’s good for gearing up but I don’t want to get stuck in these kinds of commercials all summer long.
"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."
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