Comments on: Cycling’s Newest Conundrum

By: Wataboutya

Wataboutya — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:49:36 +0000

….cant edit these posts then….oops
I must admit that I dont fear the development of nationalism/team/brand support that cycling is attracting as it can only attract more to the sport overall, both financially and in numbers of participants.
If the UCI would actually manage to string together a world tour we can follow and support teams through, then we’d have our premier league table just there…not likely to happen for a while though.
Did anyone notice the performance of the top team in the TdF?
I did, cuz I have a national rider in the team and he performed so well that I ended up supporting them too.
Personally, I tend to support riders as individuals and then the team/sponsor giving them support. I dont go riding in full Pro team kit though….maybe a jersey here and there.

By: Wataboutya

Wataboutya — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:36:02 +0000

I hear that argument discussion a lot these days. A certain Irish reporters comments about who was responsible for poor treatment fo their riders going up the d’Huez poured a bit of fuel into that fire.
Its strange how a brand if followed in much the same way as football teams though.
AG2R certainly have a following in France but the French cycling supporters are a different breed to that of football as couold be said for Rugby in France.
Festina had/has a poor reputation through association yet they are one of the few long term supporters of the sport especially in France….look at the hooha about the ad in the TdF souvenier magazine albeit the face behind it didnt help.

By: NoMapNoCompass

NoMapNoCompass — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 12:37:01 +0000

The Froome vs. Sastre argument is not as clear as you have portrayed. Sastre was a proven and consistent GT podium finisher for nearly all of his career, he merely got lucky that day on Alpe d’Huez. His 2 minute gap was more the result of the negative racing behind him that super human ability.
Froome on the other hand has appeared out of nowhere since 2011 to be the best climber in the world. Proof that he is doping, definitely not, worth of scrutiny, perhaps yes.

By: mikhail lungs

mikhail lungs — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 06:05:26 +0000

The danger of tribalism in cycling is an important debate and this piece is fairly well argued & a welcome contribution. My hope is that the risks of tribalism will be negated as existing cycling fans lead by example and introduce newbies to the history of the sport. I’m not sure how new & unique the Sky fans issue is though. Surely there were similar scenes with US Postal supporters in the past. I also think the perception that Sky supporters have blind faith does not hold as much water as some would like to think. I, for example, supported Sky’s yellow jersey efforts on the road at the recent Tour but also encouraged other riders/teams with equal (if not greater) enthusiasm. What was more striking to me was the anti-Sky, and by extension rude/negative anti-cycling behavior of other supporters. I make the point that while the behavior of those seen to support Sky is simply assumed, the clearly anti-cycling behavior of others (not respecting the yellow jersey for one) is already being acted out on the roads. Perhaps this is where the focus of true cycling fans’ efforts to preserve all we love about the sport should be.