'They should have got rid of the road race from the Olympics'

by Gemma on Mar 27, 2010 1:01 PM EDT

I hasten to add that the above wasn't said by me, but by Rob Hayles (at least I think it was him) on Eurosport before. It made me so mad that if I could I would have reached through the screen and thumped him one!!

And it started so well as I totally agree that the Madison and Individual Pursuits shouldn't have been dropped from the Olympics - especially as they've been replaced by something which treats us all like we have the attention span of a goldfish! But then he went on to say that instead they should have got rid of the road race as that would get rid of 100 or so riders - ignoring the fact it's about the number of events not the number of participants.

Why most the road boys and girls should (in his view) be denied ANY event at the Olympics and the track not lose any he didn't explain and the idiot main presenter didn't even ask him to explain such a controversial view

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What they should get rid of, is the olympic football-tournament. It is a meaningless tournament with meaningless rules, and nobody cares about it. The cycling road race on the other hand was very exiting both the men’s, and women’s race in Beijing

by hansgruber on Mar 27, 2010 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

+1

"The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is." Edvald Boasson Hagen

by Chris Fontecchio on Mar 28, 2010 2:21 AM EDT up reply actions

and the tennis

and not bring in golf either

by thebongolian on Mar 28, 2010 6:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Quite a few people don't like events where the Olympics isn't the biggest in the calendar

For the road riders, the olympics is something ridden if you’re not too tired after the Tour, for Track riders, it’s what you spend 4 years preparing for.

I don’t entirely subscribe to this logic, but it’s not uncommon or wholly without validity.

The number of athletes is a major consideration – Cycling is only allowed a certain number of competitors by the IOC.

by William H on Mar 27, 2010 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

One thing

The RR/TT is quite obviously increasing in importance. Lots of big names adjusted their schedules for Beijing and the level of the races was as high as any World Championships.

by Jens on Mar 27, 2010 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I think I would miss the bling that comes with winning gold the most...

Like shoes:

And special bikes:

Oh, and I love the helmets:

Honestly though…this would be a terrible idea to get rid of the road race. It’s about the only Summer event I look forward to at all…

by JustJoshinYa on Mar 27, 2010 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

Bah!

They could just eliminate all cycling-related events in favor of the tug-of-war in which Great Britain has been the defending champion since 1920.

Wigglypuff Cav Crunch, Breakfast of Madison Champions!

by Josenka on Mar 27, 2010 7:40 PM EDT reply actions

And I'm sure they could find another gymnastic floor event to add...

right up there with ribbon dancing. Boy, then we wouldn’t miss cycling in the Olympics at all.

"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton

by sminer on Mar 27, 2010 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

Just imagine

if they could combine rhythmic gymnastics and cycling. Imagine El Pistelero’s salute at the end of his bike and ball routine. I don’t know how the scoring system would work but I know it would bring a tear to my eyes.

by Logy on Mar 27, 2010 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions

don't laugh ... it almost already exists ...

have you ever noticed the “artistic cycling” section on the UCI website? as in here, with the description “artistic cycling is a bit like ice-skating or gymnastics. It is a discipline requiring skill, balance, concentration and courage. The competitors (entering either as individuals or in pairs) offer a 6-minute programme with a musical accompaniment. A jury judges the quality of the figures”.