Garry Jones <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Richard Adams said:
Sure, but Worlds is every year, you only get the chance to wallow in grief and self pity for missing the winning break in the Olympics RR every 4 years.
Does anyone know how much attention is paid to Olympic cycling in countries like France, Italy and Spain?
Had a Swede won the tdf the reports here would be "This must increase his chances in the Olympics". To us in the know we would laugh at this. However, to the mainstream Swede (non cyclist), an Olympic gold would be mean more than an overall in the tdf. Sad, but true.
I think it's the case more places than you realize. Winning olympic gold is huge. Bigger than worlds, bigger then stages in GT's, bigger than winning the CDM.
The usual [censored] for which "english speaking world" = "most places". Let's face it, in any place South of the Baltic, North of Africa, East of the Atlantic and West of the Urals the Olympic Road Race is just a minor cycling achievement. And that is something like 40 different nations.
Garry Jones <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
I understand things have improved in the States. In Samuel Abt's book "Greg Lemond" the tale is told of how a Frenchman followed Lemond back to the states after he (Lemond) had won the tour de France in 1989. Half-expecting millions of people and a welcome home tickertape reception the Frenchman was surprised when just a handful of Lemond's nearest relatives had turned up. One of Lemond's bags had been lost in transport. At the baggage complaints desk he reported this and said "Lemond". The girl at the desk looked up and asked "And how do you spell that?".
I think that is the good part. I don't like the idea of adulation to the point where stalkers are everywhere.
Hey, it's great that Bernard Hinault won 5 Tours and that Greg won 3 and Lance 6. But should that mean that they no longer have a private life?
That's one of the things that makes America a popular home for a lot of stars from all fields. We seem to be accustomed to the extraordinary and take remarkable people in stride - letting them have the stage and be applauded or just go catch a movie at the mall when they prefer. Hell, Tampa - Clearwater - Sarasota is downright lousy with British rock stars.
Garry Jones <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
I understand things have improved in the States. In Samuel Abt's book "Greg Lemond" the tale is told of how a Frenchman followed Lemond back to the states after he (Lemond) had won the tour de France in 1989. Half-expecting millions of people and a welcome home tickertape reception the Frenchman was surprised when just a handful of Lemond's nearest relatives had turned up. One of Lemond's bags had been lost in transport. At the baggage complaints desk he reported this and said "Lemond". The girl at the desk looked up and asked "And how do you spell that?".
I think that is the good part. I don't like the idea of adulation to the point where stalkers are everywhere.
Yeah, cyclists can not afford superstar status like some of the soccer stars like Beckham. Imagine how difficult it would be to nip out for a training ride if you were to be swamped by autograph hunters/groupies.
Garry Jones <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
I understand things have improved in the States. In Samuel Abt's book "Greg Lemond" the tale is told of how a Frenchman followed Lemond back to the states after he (Lemond) had won the tour de France in 1989. Half-expecting millions of people and a welcome home tickertape reception the Frenchman was surprised when just a handful of Lemond's nearest relatives had turned up. One of Lemond's bags had been lost in transport. At the baggage complaints desk he reported this and said "Lemond". The girl at the desk looked up and asked "And how do you spell that?".
I think that is the good part. I don't like the idea of adulation to the point where stalkers are everywhere.
Yeah, cyclists can not afford superstar status like some of the soccer stars like Beckham. Imagine how difficult it would be to nip out for a training ride if you were to be swamped by autograph hunters/groupies.
Well, the main difference is in the attitude. World Champion Igor Astarloa has been living in Brescia, Lombardy, since a few years. Nowadays most amateur riders there recognize him and guess what, he's always very kind with all of them, let them take his wheel during training rides, stops chatting with them at the end of the training, he even became friend with a few of them (in the it.sport.ciclismo newsgroup you can find one of those guys, frequently posting updates about his training rides meetings with the World Champion).
Most soccer champions are just not interested in sharing their lives with fans as Astarloa does.
Most soccer champions are just not interested in sharing their lives with fans as Astarloa does.
Its the risk. There was a Beckham baby kidnap plot foiled by a tip off and armed police at the last minute. Most famous sportsmen/politicians use bodyguards, the main exception is cyclists. To do their sport they must be accessible. Dare I say this also means they would be an easy target for any terrorist looking to make a name for himself/his cause. However, I feel there is an understanding to leave the guys alone as they ride past because they are there because of their sport.
Look at the anti-terrorist measures being undertaken in Greece. You can't get within a mile of a sportman without a ticket and a body search. Except for the cyclists who will perform on an open track. Cycling breaks all barries, race, religion and wealth. As more and more other sportsmen wrap themselves up away from the world the cyclist remains in the public eye and the hopeful outcome of this is likely to be that cycling becomes the number one sport in the world.
