No Complaints
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 6, 2011 12:21 PM EST
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PrintYesterday was one of my worst days in a long, long time [illness]. Today, things are looking up:
Tour of Qatar Prologue:
- Lars Boom, Rabobank
- Fabian Cancellara, LeopardSchleck, at 4"
- Tom Veelers, Skil-Shimano, at 5"
Trofeo Mallorca:
- Tyler Farrar, Garmin-Cervelo
- Marcel Kittel, Skil-Shimano, s.t.
- Francisco Ventoso, Movistar, s.t.
For me, 2 and 3 at both races could simply read "whatever." But hey, it's winter, so what does this mean anyway, besides two guys I like probably winding up on more VDS teams than they should? Well, for Boom it's a 2km prologue, and winning is indicative that his preparations are ahead of schedule ... at 2km prologues. This kind of short burst isn't far removed from cyclocross fitness, so while he's always a good time triallist, this result says as much about his having spent time on the cross bike recently.
In Farrar's case, it probably just indicates that he wasn't riding against a terribly strong field. A year ago he was in Qatar finishing second to Francesco Chicchi, a result that didn't tell us much about the upcoming season (Farrar: 2000 PdC points; Chicchi: 70). There's a lot of fool's gold on display in February. It's tempting to say that Tyler is stronger than ever before, in light of this result. But he's also a veteran rider at this point, focusing on the classics, so he presumably knows better than to be on big form in February. It's nice that he beat Marcel Kittel, but Kittel is a 22-year-old making his debut on the big stage this year. His coming second is probably more eye-opening than Farrar finishing first.
[adding] I disparage these early wins but they do have one value: confidence. Farrar is already pretty confident, but there are very few guys (Cav, Tony) who are completely set in that area.
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I've fallen out a bit with Alex Dowsett
who I was hoping to sneak into my VDS team unnoticed…
"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
Same here
I had him on my team before this, now he’s gone all high-profile on us. Downside to february races!
My fruit bowl is full of sex wax--gavia
by Douglas Ansel on Feb 7, 2011 12:17 AM EST up reply actions
But if Farrar came in second . . .
If you are Farrar and you try to win you’d better win against that field. If only to keep everyone on his team aware of who wants to be included at the big races this year. After his TDU he needed to show himself at the front of a race.
And you Chris are in World Championship form. Thor got ill too and had to miss the start of the Trofeo Mallorca. Hope your feeling better.
The skills really do go away if not practiced, and I don't mean to brag but I was getting very mediocre. - Tejay Van Garderen
thanks
brutal day yesterday but we’re moving on.
If cobble delusions are wrong, who wants to be right? -JFS PGH
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 6, 2011 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
Hope it improves very soon, Chris
Lots of good vibes to you, from across the Atlantic
by Sarah Connolly on Feb 6, 2011 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
Thank you
really, I’m pretty much better today.
If cobble delusions are wrong, who wants to be right? -JFS PGH
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 6, 2011 2:55 PM EST up reply actions
Oh and
Farrar’s earliest victory before this was Tirreno-Adriatico, 2009. Just sayin.
If cobble delusions are wrong, who wants to be right? -JFS PGH
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 6, 2011 12:50 PM EST reply actions
But there were complaints, on Mallorca
And the stage was nullified, becasue the teams used radios. Says the Inner Ring.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
I don't share the Inner Ring's pessimism about the team's actions
Mallorca is as good a time as any to point out that the UCI has no clothes.
"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"
I think Inner Ring's point was
that spanish races are in enough trouble as it is and making them the playground for battles that they have no fault in only hurts the innocent.
My bags are guaranteed sand-free.
It will be interesting to see whether the riders in Qatar follow the same lead...
…especially given the differences in the organisers…
by Sarah Connolly on Feb 6, 2011 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
The ASO will be outraged by any scheme to screw with the UCI
oh wait
My bags are guaranteed sand-free.
It will be a fun choice for the ASO
On one hand, have their race messed with, but on the other, annoy the UCI…
by Sarah Connolly on Feb 6, 2011 3:26 PM EST up reply actions
I guess it will also bring more publicity for the race
probably a bigger profile than it has ever had, in fact – you’re dead right, it’s win-win
by Sarah Connolly on Feb 6, 2011 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
especially on an 11km (thereabouts) circuit race.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Gah!
What the hell? Hey, it wouldn’t be the official cycling season if there weren’t something stupid happening…
If cobble delusions are wrong, who wants to be right? -JFS PGH
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 6, 2011 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
I just don't understand his argument to the effect that this harms the race...
…at all. it happened, everyone had a good time, and if the UCI wants to play the “lalalalalala I can’t hear you!” game, then they look idiotic, not the race.
The race commissars could have DQed everyone leaving them without any race at all
as it was they took it upon themselves to run a race that will not count for anything.
My bags are guaranteed sand-free.
So?
The race commissars could have said their asses were gold plated. If the race happens, is broadcast, winners are declared, prizes awarded, etc., who cares what it ‘counts’ for?
So the bureaucrats get their drawers in a bunch? Big deal.
well, so far this year i haven't seen mallorca on any tv schedule.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Ahh, I assumed it had been locally...
…but it’s a side issue in any event.
Whiny stunt? It's a working condition and as far as they're concerned, a safety issue.
We moan incessantly about the UCI…if riders don’t stand up, then nothing changes.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
From Farrar after the race:
However, just as important is the riders and teams standing up for themselves and having their voices heard. We are the ones who make this sport and we deserve to have a say in the direction it takes.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
They needed to consider the situation first of all...They jepordized an event that was on the verge of cancellation
because they couldn’t ride around a circuit without a radio. What was the safety issue today?
Yeah, they need to have a strong voice but they need to be more clear-cut in what they want because not all the riders want the same thing.
Gilbert, who is one of the rider reps to the UCI, looked really bored today with the whole thing because it didn’t affect him at all. So when your representative doesn’t care for radios, it sends a different message to people like Gilbert is one of the only ones that can actually use his head and he is still safe.
And you know something Farrar forgot to mention in his bit? The fans also deserve to have a say in what direction the sport takes and the riders seem to forget that sometimes.
A race that is all paid for but not run,
that’s a bit of a downer, isn’t it? I guess it was run in the end. Shortened perhaps? That would mean less exposure for race sponsors.
The race was run...
…and will be run tomorrow. Everyone has been up in arms about how this hurts the race. I see no hurt.
Nor do I. Instead I'm glad that riders are doing something more proactive than whinging to the press.
For industrial action to have any chance of success Vlaanderen it has to cause disruption. Although perhaps you don’t agree with workers having rights?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
or
gotta start somewhere. I guess it depends if they really have a plan.
If cobble delusions are wrong, who wants to be right? -JFS PGH
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 6, 2011 10:34 PM EST up reply actions
I think they have a plan...
…reading CN’s latest and based on what Vaughters hinted on twitter this morning.
My suspicion is the next time they try this, it’s going to be a race where the organizer has a bit more pull vs the UCI.
The question was more general than concerning his formulation...
…also Inner Ring’s post this morning, etc.
Frankly, I’m still skeptical. I think the UCI threatens to cancel it. I think if they do cancel it, the repercussions of that are much worse for the UCI than for the teams. Further, if you read the quotes in CN tonight, it’s pretty clear that the teams did this carefully, and with every intention of protecting the organizers of the race. Lots of people have been jumping to conclusions about this, and the more info that comes out, the less it seems as if this was simply rash and thoughtless.
Perhaps Gilbert is the wrong man for the job then. This isn't a popularity contest...
A union rep is there to be a voice for his colleagues, whether he agrees or not. Personally, I’d prefer a mongrel in that role like McEwen. If the riders come to see that their elected rep is bored, then I think that they will vote with their feet next time.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Gilbert might or might not be on the CPA
( http://theinnerring.blogspot.com/2011/01/who-speaks-for-riders.html )
but the point is that he has spoken up in favour of a radio ban.
So at the next election, if the riders union has any sense they'll can him.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Sense = Agreeing with you?
Interesting position.
"It was getting colder and colder as we went up. About halfway up, I started to go a little backwards and as I passed Thor he looked at me and said, "If you lose my wheel I will smash you." I took his wheel and found an extra gear." João Correia
Really? You don't have to agree, but if your union rep. won't stand up for what the majority of members want
then it’s time to elect a new rep.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Do you think Bruyneel is twisting Levi's arm?
LeviLeipheimer It’s great to see the riders and teams unified today in Mallorca & race w/ radios. Easy to criticize if you’ve never been in the peleton
about 4 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
If you read the Inner Ring story
and the Eisel story he links to you will find that they probably can’t since there is no election and the CPA is not a union in any meaningful way.
My bags are guaranteed sand-free.
Perhaps it's time they rectified that..
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Indeedio
And if they do, I totally agree with your view that they need reps that present the opinions of the members (majority presumably) over their own.
My bags are guaranteed sand-free.
Thanks Jens
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
To each his own
but I’m with the riders. When’s the last time they had a say in anything?
If cobble delusions are wrong, who wants to be right? -JFS PGH
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 6, 2011 10:36 PM EST up reply actions
They should be definitely involved in the process...but they should have a voice that is independent of their DS
and teams. For some reason I think that they are influenced a bit by their bosses so they aren’t put on a shit list of sorts.
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 6, 2011 11:28 PM EST up reply actions
People like McEwen are very vocal about this.
I can’t see anyone having too much influence on him at this stage of his career. Cancellara and Renshaw are also loudly proclaiming the UCI’s idiocy in this matter…do you really think they’re having their strings pulled?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Its not them I'm worried about...its the average domestique who is making minimum wage.
As the inner ring put it on twitter:
Let’s not confuse things. The AIGCP lobbies directly for the big teams: it is a business lobby and not a trade union for the riders.
There might be common cause between riders and teams but the riders need their own voice in debates, especially safety.
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 7, 2011 12:09 AM EST up reply actions
That last part was meant to be in the block quote
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 7, 2011 12:09 AM EST up reply actions
Hopefully in the end it will benefit the domestiques too...
This will sound strange perhaps, but when I was young and not earning much, every time I went on strike with the Teachers federation i felt that I was helping to improve things for everyone. Missing pay hurt a little, but the long term gains were the important thing.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
That doesn't sound strange...short term pain for long term gain.
I just have problems with this protest. I shouldn’t of jumped to conclusions like I did but when I see guys like Gilbert do what they do without always needing a radio, I think why can’t everyone? The rider’s union, IMO, needs to be more vocal than the AIGCP and should be calling the protests themselves.
If they get like this about radios, its a shame they don’t do the same about doping.
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 7, 2011 12:39 AM EST up reply actions
Your last point is a good one, but I suspect it's a much more complex issue...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Indeed - doping hurts the sport far more than radios
by Sarah Connolly on Feb 7, 2011 6:26 AM EST up reply actions
And yet no radios may also hurt the riders
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
It hasn't been hurting the women & u23s last year....
It is interesting to me, how this is presented etc – because if no radios is so bad, what’s been htc/garmin’s etc views re their other teams, who’ve been riding without them for a while? Either it’s bad for all riders, or it’s not. Personally, I have no idea, any more – I haven’t seen evidence that it’s dangerous, beyond ‘we feel it would be" (and that’s also legit, to a point) – it feels like an odd thing to make a stand on – which is why the conclusion I come to is that it’s not the actual issue, it’s the way it’s been done (or the first convenient one to come along – again, not that that’s necessarily a problem)
by Sarah Connolly on Feb 7, 2011 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
Very different dynamics in those races...
…different distances, team sizes, experience levels, etc. Not sure they’re as comparable as all that.
But
If eg u23s are less experienced, surely the safety factor is even more important?
by Sarah Connolly on Feb 7, 2011 3:38 PM EST up reply actions
Which is an excellent argument for actually trying it
The fact remains that very few, if any, of todays riders have raced on the top level without radios and have very little idea of what it would actually be like.
I don’t believe it’s likely to be a very good idea but it bothers me tremendously that they won’t even try it out. Arrogant conservatism bordering on stupidity.
My bags are guaranteed sand-free.
Meh.
Possibly a lot of them like the radios, and that’s that. I’m not sure it has to be stupid for them to have no interest in changing.
Plus, I’m not so sure they’re unwilling to try, but they’re clearly unwilling to have a decision rammed down their throats. Until the first is clearly separated from the second, I can hardly blame them for refusing both.
The stupidity lies not in their lack of interest in change
what I consider borderline stupid is the idea that the riders think their opinion alone should be enough to halt a potentially important development.
Frankly, if they wanna play games with their own rules they can organize some of their own clubrides or grouprides or something. Pro cycling has always been, and remains, a business. If radios are deemed to have a significant negative effect on revenues perhaps those who work in the industry (riders) should shut up and do their job under the given guidelines or they might find the money well dried up before too long.
My bags are guaranteed sand-free.
On this issue?
I’d disagree that the riders are parroting their team’s views. Lots of riders are speaking out against the radio ban, and not just when they are asked their views by journalists.
Yep.
I don’t see any evidence of intimidation.
When I asked JV, he explicitly said that he would never insist they share his pov, and that a lot of his riders are far more adamant about this than he is. I wish we had a similar statement from other directors, but I’m inclined to believe it in at least his case.
That was different
Hushovd was up the road. Something had to be done.
If cobble delusions are wrong, who wants to be right? -JFS PGH
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 7, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
See, the riders have done them a favour and saved them money.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Ventoso came in second according to CN and CQR
I think it’s a good result for him. He has stepped up a circuit and is still getting results. Especially after his Tour Down Under performance. Not a bad rider for 4 points now that he’s on a ProTeam.
"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"
I didn't know his back story
I am reading his Spanish wikipedia page translated into Spanish. Chrome’s translation endearingly nicknames him “Windy” throughout the article.
"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"
Windy was his PdC nickname after some unfortunate ticker-translations back in 2007
Castilla y Leon or Murcia I think
My bags are guaranteed sand-free.
I have no sprinters
they do not dope enough
"I just want to say fuck you, and I mean that in the most professional way" -Brandon Llyod
SAVE CHAUNCEY!!!!
I take that back, I have Hondo
but I needed a German
"I just want to say fuck you, and I mean that in the most professional way" -Brandon Llyod
SAVE CHAUNCEY!!!!
You ignore us
for this?
If cobble delusions are wrong, who wants to be right? -JFS PGH
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 6, 2011 5:30 PM EST up reply actions
especially since the puppies aren't so cute this year
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
WTF???????????????
Dude, CB was fantastic!!!!!! And the hamsters working the blimp!!!!! Genius! Now if they can only get the chickens to ride bikes we would all be watching. ;)
so what does this mean anyway, besides two guys I like probably winding up on more VDS teams than they should?
Even in his weakened state Chris realizes that we will see through his Boom and Farrar sandbagging effort. : )
Fine
don’t draft them.
If cobble delusions are wrong, who wants to be right? -JFS PGH
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 6, 2011 10:37 PM EST up reply actions
heh
now what are you gonna do?
If cobble delusions are wrong, who wants to be right? -JFS PGH
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 6, 2011 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
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