|
Cycling
Isn't it great to see two Brits doing so well in the Tour de France? By all accounts Bradley Wiggins is a decent sort, and it's great to see an Englishman challenging for the top in what must be one of the the hardest sports around. I know I'll never see an England team win a major football tournament, and I doubt I'll ever see an Englishman win the Wimbledon singles, but it's great to see Wiggins having a go.
More on his "gentlemanly" side http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/18849505 The 14th stage of the Tour de France was hit by saboteurs who threw tacks onto the road and left 30 riders suffering punctures. Race leader Bradley Wiggins was praised by organisers for "fair play" after halting competitive racing following the incident on the final climb. Wiggins slowed the pace to allow defending champion Cadel Evans to return to the group. He said: "I thought it was the honourable thing to do." |
Re: Cycling
Originally Posted by steviedeluxe
(Post 10176725)
Isn't it great to see two Brits doing so well in the Tour de France? By all accounts Bradley Wiggins is a decent sort, and it's great to see an Englishman challenging for the top in what must be one of the the hardest sports around. I know I'll never see an England team win a major football tournament, and I doubt I'll ever see an Englishman win the Wimbledon singles, but it's great to see Wiggins having a go.
More on his "gentlemanly" side http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/18849505 He is also fond of saying that those nancy boy footballers who complain they are tired in the second half of a 90 minute game, and get paid about £1M per second, should be made to try riding the Tour de France. |
Re: Cycling
OH follows it too. Worth watching for the wonderful scenery:thumbup:
|
Re: Cycling
Nothing gentlemanly about being tied to a drip every night for a month
Funny that noone was calling the sport gentlemanly when the Spanish were dominating the competition ;) |
Re: Cycling
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 10176836)
Nothing gentlemanly about being tied to a drip every night for a month
Funny that noone was calling the sport gentlemanly when the Spanish were dominating the competition ;) The reason that no-one called the sport gentlemanly when the Spanish were dominating the competition was probably because Contador was a drug taking cheat.:nod: OOps, just noticed the winky smiley - you were obviously being ironic. |
Re: Cycling
Originally Posted by jimenato
(Post 10176894)
No-one has called the sport gentlemanly here - only Bradley Wiggins.
The reason that no-one called the sport gentlemanly when the Spanish were dominating the competition was probably because Contador was a drug taking cheat.:nod: OOps, just noticed the winky smiley - you were obviously being ironic. Imo though, they are all taking something. Look at the court cases Lance Armstrong is going through now Contador did exactly the same as Wiggins 2 years ago when Andy Schleck got a puncture. Nothing special about what he did, it happens all the time |
Re: Cycling
Originally Posted by Lynn R
(Post 10176744)
I know nothing about cycling but my OH, who does, and follows the Tour de France every day every year (:zzz:) tells me it's part of the accepted code in cycling that if some mishap befalls another competitor, they slow down to allow them to catch up. I said "but I thought it was a race, they don't do that in F1 or the Grand National if somebody crashes or falls off" but apparently that just shows how little I know.:lol:
He is also fond of saying that those nancy boy footballers who complain they are tired in the second half of a 90 minute game, and get paid about £1M per second, should be made to try riding the Tour de France. The tour de france lasts many days,so if they all settle for even steven on one particular day in the name of sportsmanship,it need not have any major influence on the event as a whole. The other events mentioned are all over in a couple of hours or much less normally,so brief stops or disruptions are much more critical, Even so if a bad accident or serious incident occurs in F1 then the race is either stopped or everyone is brought back together behind the safety car. If a player appears injured on a football pitch, a player from the opposing side often stops the game by putting the ball out of play. In turn the ball will sportingly be returned to that side on resumption. As for the G.N.well that's a totally different kettle of fish involving animals as much as people though it is generally possible to promptly attend to accidents without stopping the race. The Tour de France maybe more of an ordeal or test of stamina, but it's their own individual choice of sport and keenness to participate. |
Re: Cycling
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 10177035)
Actually I think Contador was innocent and has been treated terribly. The levels of the drug found in his body were a 1000 times below the levels where it could have had any effect.
Imo though, they are all taking something. Look at the court cases Lance Armstrong is going through now Contador did exactly the same as Wiggins 2 years ago when Andy Schleck got a puncture. Nothing special about what he did, it happens all the time Now what was the name of that guy who did take advantage of this very incident by taking off on his own to win the stage ? |
Re: Cycling
Originally Posted by Dick Dasterdly
(Post 10177054)
Your OH makes some interesting points,but I think he's trying to compare apples with pairs.
The tour de france lasts many days,so if they all settle for even steven on one particular day in the name of sportsmanship,it need not have any major influence on the event as a whole. The other events mentioned are all over in a couple of hours or much less normally,so brief stops or disruptions are much more critical, Even so if a bad accident or serious incident occurs in F1 then the race is either stopped or everyone is brought back together behind the safety car. If a player appears injured on a football pitch, a player from the opposing side often stops the game by putting the ball out of play. In turn the ball will sportingly be returned to that side on resumption. As for the G.N.well that's a totally different kettle of fish involving animals as much as people though it is generally possible to promptly attend to accidents without stopping the race. The Tour de France maybe more of an ordeal or test of stamina, but it's their own individual choice of sport and keenness to participate. But I didn't really need the patronising explanation, I get enough of those at home thank you. |
Re: Cycling
Originally Posted by jimenato
(Post 10176894)
No-one has called the sport gentlemanly here - only Bradley Wiggins.
The reason that no-one called the sport gentlemanly when the Spanish were dominating the competition was probably because Contador was a drug taking cheat.:nod: OOps, just noticed the winky smiley - you were obviously being ironic. "I couldn't see two minutes in front of me so I don't know what went on in front," said Evans, who said he has already virtually boycotted racing in Spain because of two similar incidents in the past. "For that reason I don't race in Spain very often. It's cost me a Vuelta (Tour of Spain), it's cost me other races." |
Re: Cycling
Originally Posted by Dick Dasterdly
(Post 10177069)
Well actually it doesn't.
Now what was the name of that guy who did take advantage of this very incident by taking off on his own to win the stage ? |
Re: Cycling
Nice gesture from Indurain
http://www.as.com/english/articulo/w...sdenspo_17/Ten British cyclist Bradley Wiggins (Sky) was very pleased with the support he received from five-time winner Miguel Indurain, who he considers to be one of the great time trialists. The Spaniard sent Wiggins a neckscarf from the San FermÃn bull run in Pamplona with the messeage: "To Bradley, with affection". "I know that he's aware that I was a huge fan when I was a kid. We're two very similar cyclists, he was one of the great time trialists", Wiggins said during the rest day on the Tour. |
Re: Cycling
I'm liking Wiggins more and more:
Asked what winning the Tour would mean to him, Wiggins said: “It’s nice to be recognised for achieving something in life because so much of British culture is built on people being famous for not achieving anything. |
Re: Cycling
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 10177035)
Actually I think Contador was innocent and has been treated terribly. The levels of the drug found in his body were a 1000 times below the levels where it could have had any effect.
Imo though, they are all taking something. Look at the court cases Lance Armstrong is going through now Contador did exactly the same as Wiggins 2 years ago when Andy Schleck got a puncture. Nothing special about what he did, it happens all the time
Originally Posted by steviedeluxe
(Post 10178946)
As for today's celeb culture which is similar worldwide, how many of them will be appearing in the history books in a hundred years time ? |
| All times are GMT -12. The time now is 7:30 pm. |
Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.