Benji name-checks Pigeons AND responds to criticism
Remember Ben Greenwood's women's cycling blog-post? He's back--with input from Pigeons and a host of others. PdC gets name-checked.
over 1 year ago
R Mc
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If women's cycling was to become more popular who would benefit the most?
Probably the people (mostly guys) who sell bicycles. They are a missing element in this discussion. They certainly have people already employed to market their products and could make the advances to selected women’s publications that would introduce a lot of new people to the sport and their stars.
Agreed
I’m the ‘Stuart’ who contributed to the post. I had written a lot more originally which included things which you suggested above, but I deleted it to keep my contribution as more of a direct response to why I disagreed with his first blog.
Claire Beaumont – who also contributed to the blog – is the best person to comment on what you suggested though as she’s the Marketing person for Condor Bikes and rides competitively for Rapha.
Personally speaking, I don’t see why women have to fight to promote themselves. Surely more bikes sold is a good thing, irrespective of gender?
I realize she was talking within the constraints of women's mags as they are now
& how women are usually marketed to generally (not without success, either, I hasten to add) but I found her comments a little bit depressing. But maybe that’s just me.
"What happened in British Cycling, a lot of people doubted me. I've come back, got this victory, and done it my way." - Adam Blythe after his first pro win at Circuit Franco Belge
I found them depressing too, coming from a younger guy too, that that's how women supposedly have to sell themselves
to make a more popular sport.
Tommeke!, Tommeke!, Tommeke!, Tommeke!
by Vlaanderen90 on Jan 13, 2011 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
I know all us fans would love if the stars blogged and reached out to get noticed
But it kind of pisses me off when it’s somehow indicated that they “owe it to the sport” to do it and market themselves to attract attention. Professional athletes only owe their teams and employers to work as focused as possible to get results and do the work in races that is asked of them.
Honestly, does anyone actually believe that you can create a mainstream interest in a sport through rider diaries in 2011 ?? This isn’t 1903 when you could stir the minds of a nation with ravaging day-after reports in L’Auto. We have live sportsimages from the top events of sport on our TVs 24/7. Rider blogs? Right.
Get the races on TV and give it a few seasons so that teams and races can learn to capitalize on the new opportunities. That’s the ONLY way to create a significant inflow of money into women’s racing. Then we can start discussing blogs.
Yup
I wish more countries had channels like RAI Sports that give airtime to all the little sports, ‘cos that’s the only way you’ll draw in the real outsiders. For all his claim about “my blog has caused an awful lot of debate”, I suspect that most people who read it knew a good bit about the sport already. Speaking for myself, I may look at CN and Velonation most days, but I probably click on the blogs tag every month or so, and read one even less frequently.
I also think Benji
vastly underestimates the impact of men’s looks too. Wasn’t Albertina threatening a Bennalanche? ;-)
"What happened in British Cycling, a lot of people doubted me. I've come back, got this victory, and done it my way." - Adam Blythe after his first pro win at Circuit Franco Belge
I find it hurtful that you see that as a threat ;-)
Yes, I think he does. And also perhaps the number of female cycling fans. Among women of course Tommeke/Cance/Thor etc will be popular for their looks…but we’re not shallow enough to only support lookers of course!
De cross gaat door!
Soz. ;-)
I was thinking of it more from Benji’s point of view!
No, I suppose I should be pleased he thinks we’re so much more high-minded.
"What happened in British Cycling, a lot of people doubted me. I've come back, got this victory, and done it my way." - Adam Blythe after his first pro win at Circuit Franco Belge
Two things (maybe unrelated)
1. I’m not sure how many male athletes have ever really had to consider what it means to be seen as a “viewing object” in the same way that women athletes do from say, age 10.
2. Perhaps it’s my fault for not pushing it more, but I haven’t been that successful in getting the women athletes (a couple of whom have completed half-ironperson tris and done several rallies) to get interested in women’s racing, either as participants or spectators. Not sure why that is.
I think that by now, a lot of the same women who get glossy and permed for a night on the town
also are glad to cheer on sweaty women in mud on bikes. Or consider bike-accessorizing, themselves. Or they would, if the streets were safer.
Oh, and I'm pretty sure it's not just a few women...
and that it’s also more than a few men…
who “like Tom Boonen or Andy Schleck for their looks,” in one way or another.
Ben’s “we real men wouldn’t be caught looking at the guys” is a bit uptight, no?
Ben, never had any sort of mancrush that wasn’t only about the stats, but about the rider?
PdC name-checked?
I don’t see our name anywhere.
"Next year we will build a strong team around Tom. We don't need pseudo-stage racers any more in this team." -Patrick Lefevre, 2005
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 13, 2011 1:52 PM EST reply actions
I name checked you
If you scroll down to the contributions after Ben’s piece. I’m hoping they’ve given me the correct surname by now… some poor guy called Stuart McManus is probably getting dog’s abuse somewhere ;o)
I noticed the name
I figured you were trying to evade detection ;)
Thanks for the shout-out! Always appreciate a good word.
Ah
I see it now. Thanks!
"Next year we will build a strong team around Tom. We don't need pseudo-stage racers any more in this team." -Patrick Lefevre, 2005
by Chris Fontecchio on Jan 13, 2011 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
I saw the abuse Benji got
So I thought I’d cunningly use a different name
I had this odd idea
that most women who watch women’s bike riding liked Marianne Vos. Whereas none of us even have the faintest clue who got the “most graceful rider” award at the Tour of Charente-Maritime.
Why does he keep going on about appearance? To do well in the sport you have to be young, fit, healthy and in great physical shape. Any judgements beyond that just come down to personal taste.
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