Cycling
Jul 16th 2012 | 8:11 pm
#1
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From: East Sussex
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
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."
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."
Jul 16th 2012 | 8:24 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,426
From: Velez-Malaga
Re: 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
More on his "gentlemanly" side
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/18849505
) 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.
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.
Jul 16th 2012 | 9:07 pm
#3
Banned
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Posts: 8,824
From: Living in a good place
Re: Cycling
OH follows it too. Worth watching for the wonderful scenery
Jul 16th 2012 | 9:09 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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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
Funny that noone was calling the sport gentlemanly when the Spanish were dominating the competition
Jul 16th 2012 | 9:46 pm
#5
FreeThinker
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: the moors and levels
Re: Cycling
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.
OOps, just noticed the winky smiley - you were obviously being ironic.
Jul 16th 2012 | 11:06 pm
#6
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Re: Cycling
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.
OOps, just noticed the winky smiley - you were obviously being ironic.
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.
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
Jul 16th 2012 | 11:13 pm
#7
On the road again.
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: On Top of the World
Re: Cycling
I know nothing about cycling but my OH, who does, and follows the Tour de France every day every year () 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.
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.
) 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.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.
Jul 16th 2012 | 11:19 pm
#8
On the road again.
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: On Top of the World
Re: Cycling
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
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 ?
Jul 17th 2012 | 2:35 am
#9
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,426
From: Velez-Malaga
Re: Cycling
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.
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.
Jul 17th 2012 | 5:27 am
#10
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,367
Re: Cycling
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.
OOps, just noticed the winky smiley - you were obviously being ironic.
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.
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."
"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."
Jul 17th 2012 | 7:42 am
#12
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From: East Sussex
Re: Cycling
Nice gesture from Indurain
http://www.as.com/english/articulo/w...sdenspo_17/Ten
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.
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.
Jul 17th 2012 | 8:42 pm
#13
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From: East Sussex
Re: Cycling
I'm liking Wiggins more and more:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oth...c-triumph.html
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.
Jul 17th 2012 | 8:58 pm
#14
On the road again.
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From: On Top of the World
Re: Cycling
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
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
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 ?
