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Kung hit by a sniper ?
this is just mental, who'd be a DS !
Started watching with my 3yo and he went to get a duvet to sit under because watching the race made him feel cold.
out of pads with 110km to go 😀
out of pads with 110km to go 😀
This is an insane race. I use to brake like that on my grifter when I was 10, but I didn’t expect to see that technique in the pro peleton
favourites seem to be geting nervous that the lead is still not coming down. And now they've sat up :/ ?
would be "interesting" if the win was decided on pad choice
(I wonder if the clever teams might get fresh bikes out on the course for their favourites, having seen that)
Should be in October every year, this is proper!
Adam Blythe seems to be enjoying his afternoon ;D
as Iris said yesterday "I'm shitting my pants!"
would be “interesting” if the win was decided on pad choice
Rim brakes FTW except there aren’t any. 😂
this is the craziest race I've ever seen 😀
Smell those cabbages!
their faces look like a cx race, it's a bit wild
Surely running some chunky cx tyres would be worth the time penalty over slicks, or is there some stupid uci rule that bans their use?
there's usually 150 riders on the run in to the Arenberg(sic)
Epic.
They'll only be able to identify the winner/ finisher by their dental records*
*assuming they have any teeth left.
assuming they have any teeth left
🙂 - "sorry son - says here you're supposed to have 4 fillings"
Has there been any section where some-one hasn't fallen? Still 90kms to go and most of the bad sections still to come...
Carnage!
This is a real test of physical and mental strength.
there's no easy sections today, just hard and ****ing impossible.
You'd be well pissed off after rear ending that INEOS rider remounting in the middle of the road
Agreed, that wasn’t very clever was it doing that. This is great to watch, real jeopardy every second!
blimey, Van der Poel has some skillz
... and some grunt
Anyone but Moscon please!
MVDP just looks awesome on the pavè, not convinced he's quite got the legs to bring it back solo though.
What have I forgotten about Moscon? There's some controversy I recall but dunno what it is now.
MvdP got to be looking favourite now
I'd normally feel sorry for anyone that punctured and lost the front like that but Moscon doesn't generate much sympathy.
That really was stellar stuff!
@weeksy he racially abused Kevin Reza a few years back. Didn't seem overly apologetic about it either.
.....My second least favourable option was Colbrelli tbh, but there we go. An excellent edition.
What an epic race in horrible conditions - makes it worth the 19 year wait.
Wout not paying attention - getting stuck behind a fallen rider on the Arenberg and then being too far back to react to MVdP’s attack.
MVdP not attacking Cobrelli earlier was also a bad move, towing an in-form sprinter to the velodrome wasn’t going to work out well for him.
Wow, epic.
That was ace.
Funny listening to Magnus s****ing at the suffering.
Magic
Even had visitors today and wives asking husbands why don’t we watch this kind of cycling?
Which was nice.
This national anthem is too long to be holding a cobblestone for.
What a race.
What with two amazing Paris Roubaixes this weekend and the world champs last weekend we have been pretty spoiled.
MVdP not attacking Cobrelli earlier was also a bad move,
Were we watching the same race MVdP put in loads of attacks, he just didn't have the legs to shake him.
I wonder if the clever teams might get fresh bikes out on the course for their favourites, having seen that
I believe bikes can only be swapped out from a team car.
Just coming back to the mens/womens prize money for a moment. Yes it's an unacceptable imbalance but it seems the feeling in the womens peloton is that the main battles at the moment are increased coverage and a sensible wage for pro riders. How many riders actually have a realistic punt at getting their hands on prize money after all?
Given that the reason for companies to sponsor teams is to get their names on TV (although behind the mud today there wasn't much exposure!), the women rode 116km in just under 3 hours, the men did 258km in just over 6, is it right the prize money and salaries should be equal? I realise that's not a 20x differential but I wonder what the respective audiences were, etc.
I think the disparity is terrible and it does need levelling up, but how much? Is parity fair? Achievable?
Discuss.....
Some race that
I wonder if the clever teams might get fresh bikes out on the course for their favourites, having seen that
Not sure the riders would want to risk a change unless necessary. Moscon clearly didn’t get on with his bike/tyre pressures after his change.
How come the front of van der poel's shoes were sparkling white even when the rest of him was caked in mud?
Moscon clearly didn’t get on with his bike/tyre pressures after his change.
I just wonder if the bike change broke his concentration! I've been in a sort of zone in the past where I'm 110% focused on a techy trail or something and seem to just get away with everything, but then stop or drop something (am thinking flip flops falling off saddle bag half-way through the Gaick Pass) and never find that wee zobe again...
Is parity fair?
What does the distance and time they race have to do with the prize money on offer? (that's a serious question BTW) This argument has been done to death about tennis as well. Most cycling fans would describe themselves as just fans of racing, and aren't bothered about whether it's men or women, and even then it's still all about TV deals (which is where the money actually is) Plus the sport is overwhelmingly dominated by men, and there's huge opportunities for them to win money in other races that just don't exist for women, so doesn't it make sense to make the ones that do exist; equally rewarding?
Sport to me isn't like other industries, it's a meritocratic as it's possible to be, something we're all supposed to be aiming for, shouldn't it therefore be, whoever's the best on the day wins the prize.
How come the front of van der poel’s shoes were sparkling white even when the rest of him was caked in mud?
Took his overshoes/shoe covers off to tighten his shoe bindings for the sprint.
I'll bet Adam Blythe had a good few beers last night to celebrate still being alive!
cycling fans would describe themselves as just fans of racing, and aren’t bothered about whether it’s men or women, and even then it’s still all about TV deals (which is where the money actually is) Plus the sport is overwhelmingly dominated by men, and there’s huge opportunities for them to win money in other races that just don’t exist for women, so doesn’t it make sense to make the ones that do exist; equally rewarding?
Sport to me isn’t like other industries, it’s a meritocratic as it’s possible to be, something we’re all supposed to be aiming for, shouldn’t it therefore be, whoever’s the best on the day wins the prize.
I can bet you the viewing figures on Eurosport both in UK and EU wide were massively higher on Mens day than womens...
Whilst many of US may enjoy the womens just as much, we're in the minority. Sponsors pay the bills, if they're not seeing value in the womens compared to the mens, that's just the reality of the viewing numbers rather than a conspiracy against women.
I'm all for equality... but it has to be funded somehow.
What does the distance and time they race have to do with the prize money on offer?
It's not to do with the meritocracy, or the effort involved, and I think the disparity is a disgrace. But the argument is because the money into the sport is from sponsors who pay to have their name seen and mentioned on screen.
If I put a billboard up in my garden advertising your company, is it OK if I charge you the same as the one next to it but only make it half the size or cover it up for half the time?
I can bet you the viewing figures on Eurosport both in UK and EU wide were massively higher on Mens day than womens…
Of course, sport is overwhelmingly marketed at men. How is that the fault of women competitors, and why are we penalising them for something they have no control over?
that’s just the reality of the viewing numbers
Sponsors rarely deal directly with the event organizers, or if they do, it's peanuts compared to TV rights. Now, TV will have a contract with advertisers, it's up to the TV companies to make sure that the viewing figures for their advertisers meet the contract numbers. They do that through promotion. to whom they promote sport is the nub here, not how long or much time the woman's races are in reality. If the TV programnme is an hour long, all you need is an hour's worth of racing highlights... There is no doubt that womens sport is equally compelling, and despite much guess work, there's no real evidence suggesting that people turn off in huge numbers because it's women not men they're watching (the US open women's final sold out more quickly than the men's did this year for example)
Build it, and they will come etc etc...
The suffering on show over the weekend has an almost gladiatorial element to it, is was ace. That was proper good sport. I wish it would be in those conditions every year.
This gallery on cyclingtips is remarkable, worth a look:
https://cyclingtips.com/2021/10/gallery-snapshots-of-hell-at-paris-roubaix/
and the Trek Segafredo team have a photographer (Jo harper, I think?) who has also captured some fantastic stuff on their instagram.
Its got a bit of something hasnt it, this race?
I didnt watch, but I'd like to catch some good highlights of both races if anyone knows the best place/youtube channel .
I spent ages faffing with VPN apps etc and watched the French TV coverage of the races, tbh a month of Eurosport would have been easier (next time) but it felt in the spirit of it all. My French is really poor but Jalabert's accent is really hard.
Waited a long time to see something like this and wasn't disappointed. Was almost hard to watch at the start of the men's race in those conditions, the old images of wet P-Rs of the past can be romanticised but the reality of it live on TV was harsh. Thankful that the sun came out toward the end. What a finish from Colbrelli too, love seeing something mean so much to a rider.
I can bet you the viewing figures on Eurosport both in UK and EU wide were massively higher on Mens day than womens…
Whilst many of US may enjoy the womens just as much, we’re in the minority.
While true nbow or more true in the past, cause/effect etc.. and change won't happen if we wait for it.
I'm involved with an event that had a women's only edition recently and while there were influential, well-known riders who influenced the high viewing/following engagement one thing was clear, women's riding and racing brings a new perspective and interest in something that's fairly static otherwise. It can shift what we take for granted. Anyone underestimating the potential and possible rate of change might miss out in the next few years.
Most cycling fans would describe themselves as just fans of racing, and aren’t bothered about whether it’s men or women
Hmm are you sure. I try to catch the big one day mens races plus the grand tours, Yet I have never watched a woman's race. Even if I stumble across womans cying on TV I'll switch it off. I simply have no interest in it, not because of sexism, but because I'm largely unfamiliar with any of the teams or riders. I suspect I'm not alone here.
That said, I cant believe lizzie (one of the few female cyclists I am familiar with) won less than 2k for her efforts. That really is shit..
Even if I stumble across womans cying on TV I’ll switch it off. I simply have no interest in it, not because of sexism, but because I’m largely unfamiliar with any of the teams or riders. I suspect I’m not alone here.
Not alone but maybe not a majority. Many are not that familiar with any of the riders in the pro tour, not compared to the real fans anyway, but will watch any race and see who stands out for a win or for a great move.
It's about how it's presented, if it's presented as a side-show it'll always be perceived that way in the mainstream. It is shit, as you say. Some businesses wait for proof of a market to sell into and some take a punt to create their own market, etc.
https://cyclingtips.com/2021/10/gallery-snapshots-of-hell-at-paris-roubaix/
LOL at the captions - CyclingTips aren't holding back on their disdain for Gianni Moscon.
Some similarly brilliaint photos (and captions) for the Women's race here:
https://cyclingtips.com/2021/10/gallery-the-grit-and-glory-of-paris-roubaix-femmes/
Yet I have never watched a woman’s race. Even if I stumble across womans cying on TV I’ll switch it off. I simply have no interest in it, not because of sexism, but because I’m largely unfamiliar with any of the teams or riders. I suspect I’m not alone here.
This is a perennial problem for cycling in general, the constant revolving door of sponsors and teams changing name. I'm unfamiliar with half of the Men's teams as well!
Still watched both races though.
You could argue the same for a lot of sports; the famous winningest people get the publicity, the 99% who take part, try their best, support the team and so on get a footnote at best.
That said, I cant believe lizzie (one of the few female cyclists I am familiar with) won less than 2k for her efforts. That really is shit.
Not bad for a days work 😉
(yes i'm kidding)
And if you dig out the results there were two GB lads in the top ten of the junior race (well done Benjamin). There were only 38 finishers - by far more DNF and over time limit than finishers so it must have been pretty brutal.
The Captain (Blyth) might have had a hair raising ride on the Moro but Iris’ commentary rocked.
I loved the women's race as I had a knot in my stomach when Vos tried to reel Lizzie in, the mens race this year however was epic, one for the ages. I'm not sure I ever enjoyed a live (TV) bike race as much.
Adam Blythe's palpable fear on the back of the motorbike plus his annoyance at not actually seeing any racing was the comic interlude the epic needed.
A little bump for those photo links that crazy-legs posted. They are wonderful
https://cyclingtips.com/2021/10/gallery-snapshots-of-hell-at-paris-roubaix/
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https://cyclingtips.com/2021/10/gallery-the-grit-and-glory-of-paris-roubaix-femmes/
/a>
Perhaps somebody could explain in simple language why one would have enough interest in men’s racing to go and find out how it works and who is involved but then cut off their nose to spite their face when it comes to women’s racing. A statement along the lines of “I can’t be arsed finding out about women’s racing and the people involved” is pathetic. I watch the women’s racing because it’s about cycling and amazing people and bloody fantastic racing.
Those cyclingtips photos are great.
If you are interested in womens racing
You just need to watch a few of the women's races really. Given that so much commentary is inevitably 'filler' material discussing past races the riders have done or won, what form they are in, which country / world championships, etc, then you end up learning a lot about the riders and their teams without having to read around.
Women's racing has changed a lot in the last few years and is now full of attacking riding which is good TV
The coverage is improving but needs more visibility, on YouTube "The Run Up Series" has high production standards and an example of what needs to get out there more
The Cycling Podcast Feminin is a good monthly round up and discussion on women's racing.
GCN+ have a lot of coverage of women's racing, when the races are filmed/broadcasted.
Coverage is out there if you look for it but most people getting into watching cycling as a sport will generally start with the men and then something may trigger an interest in watching women too. For me it was spending some time with a well known pro rider which led to funding/watching the Half the Road documentary. Its a few years old now but well worth hunting out.
The Captain (Blyth) might have had a hair raising ride
Damn your eyes, sir!
Turn your back on me?!