Author Topic: So, farewell then, Alexandre Vinokourov... (Read 3502 times)

citoyen · « **on:** 12 July, 2011, 05:49:15 pm »

I can't say I've ever very much liked Vino as a person - in many ways, he embodied the very worst aspects of professional cycling - but for all his faults, you can't deny that he's always been one of the most exciting riders to watch, his attempted breakaway on Saturday's stage being a prime example of why. And stage 7 of last year's Giro will live long in the memory.

And now I find myself feeling very sorry for him - he was always going to bow out in spectacular fashion, but I don't think he planned it quite like that. What a thoroughly horrible way to end a career. No one deserves that.

d.

GruB · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 July, 2011, 07:26:59 pm »

I loved watching Vino due to his attack, attack, attack mentality. He never seemed to do it at the right time but that was what made it so enjoyable. Then he got busted for being a cheat. That changed the way I viewed him, and still does.

citoyen · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 July, 2011, 07:32:51 pm »

Of course, and yet I can't help feeling cycling will be poorer without him.

d.

Peter · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 July, 2011, 08:16:08 pm »

What's happened? I've not been keeping up for a couple of days.

Gus · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 July, 2011, 08:21:01 pm »

He rammed a tree on a downhill section

Peter · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 July, 2011, 08:22:06 pm »

Quote from: Gus on 12 July, 2011, 08:21:01 pm

He rammed a tree on a downhill section

Oh heck, that's awful. Is he ok? And the tree?

LittleWheelsandBig · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 July, 2011, 08:22:34 pm »

Quote from: Grub on 12 July, 2011, 07:26:59 pm

Then he got busted for being a cheat. That changed the way I viewed him, and still does.

Was it the doping or the being caught for doping that changed your view? If it was the former, be careful about cheering for many members of the pro peloton.

citoyen · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 July, 2011, 08:24:40 pm »

He's had his retirement brought forward by a tree.

d.

Gus · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 July, 2011, 08:28:35 pm »

Quote from: Peter on 12 July, 2011, 08:22:06 pm

Quote from: Gus on 12 July, 2011, 08:21:01 pm
He rammed a tree on a downhill section

Oh heck, that's awful. Is he ok? And the tree?

Full story here : http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/crashes-and-injuries-mar-tour-de-france-stage-9 It's scary reading.
Ok $:-\$ he had surgery and it seems that was his last ride due to retirement.

citoyen · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 July, 2011, 08:34:04 pm »

Suspect he'd find it hard to come back from that even if he weren't retiring (cf Beloki).

d.

Peter · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 July, 2011, 08:36:49 pm »

Quote from: Gus on 12 July, 2011, 08:28:35 pm

Quote from: Peter on 12 July, 2011, 08:22:06 pm
Quote from: Gus on 12 July, 2011, 08:21:01 pm
He rammed a tree on a downhill section

Oh heck, that's awful. Is he ok? And the tree?

Full story here : http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/crashes-and-injuries-mar-tour-de-france-stage-9 It's scary reading.
Ok $:-\$ he had surgery and it seems that was his last ride due to retirement.

Thanks, Gus; you're right, it does make hard reading. These guys a tough, still talking to the press, with a badly broken leg, when most of us would be comatose with medication. (Don't bother with the obvious remarks!)

Canardly · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 July, 2011, 08:36:55 pm »

Are you trying to tell me he wasn't eating some contaminated imported food stuff(s)?

Peter · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 July, 2011, 08:38:54 pm »

Quote from: Canardly on 12 July, 2011, 08:36:55 pm

Are you trying to tell me he wasn't eating some contaminated imported food stuff(s)?

Not at all, but I'd need to see the tree first!

perpetual dan · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 July, 2011, 09:04:59 pm »

I'm with citoyen, there's various racers I don't much care for - but none that I'd wish that end of career on.

andygates · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 July, 2011, 09:38:58 pm »

It's a rotten way to go out (and if it wasn't the Day of Crashes, we'd still be talking about it now). Odds on him turning to a directeur sportif role next? The man has lots of experience.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 July, 2011, 09:40:54 pm »

Wasn't his fracture right at the top of the femur? I understand that it wasn't all that long ago that such fractures were so hard to repair that they sometimes resulted in amputation.

LittleWheelsandBig · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 July, 2011, 10:00:03 pm »

Not that much of a problem with my similiar leg break a decade ago.

Martin · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 July, 2011, 10:01:03 pm »

depends on the fracture; fractured neck=simple nail, fractured shaft=pin and plate, acetabulum=someone of This Parish would know more about that.

amputations are usually above or below knee so would not solve the problem; they would (almost) never cut the whole leg off

Heaney · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 July, 2011, 10:29:11 pm »

A real hard man of the peloton, always with that impassive look no matter how much he must have been suffering.
I'm very sad to see him go, always one of my favourites. I would have liked to see him finish by winning a stage.

gonzo · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 July, 2011, 10:41:04 pm »

Vino as team ds? So then guys, the plan today is to attack! Wasn't that the plan yesterday boss? Of course and it'll be the plan tomorrow!

spesh · « **Reply #20 on:** 12 July, 2011, 10:49:53 pm »

Quote from: gonzo on 12 July, 2011, 10:41:04 pm

Vino as team ds? So then guys, the plan today is to attack! Wasn't that the plan yesterday boss? Of course and it'll be the plan tomorrow!

GruB · « **Reply #21 on:** 13 July, 2011, 06:34:23 am »

Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 12 July, 2011, 08:22:34 pm

Quote from: Grub on 12 July, 2011, 07:26:59 pm
Then he got busted for being a cheat. That changed the way I viewed him, and still does.

Was it the doping or the being caught for doping that changed your view? If it was the former, be careful about cheering for many members of the pro peloton.

Oh I am not that naive any more.

I have my suspicions but actually knowing and suspecting are two different things.

Tewdric · « **Reply #22 on:** 13 July, 2011, 06:43:44 am »

If I were DS of Astana right now I'd be looking at the job ads - I don't think we've seen the last of him, although the new Uci rules on drug offenders not being allowed to be on team staff might knacker him. Fingers crossed, eh?

GruB · « **Reply #23 on:** 13 July, 2011, 07:14:14 am »

Indeed.

Dinamo · « **Reply #24 on:** 13 July, 2011, 07:49:07 am »

Quote from: Tewdric on 13 July, 2011, 06:43:44 am

If I were DS of Astana right now I'd be looking at the job ads - I don't think we've seen the last of him, although the new Uci rules on drug offenders not being allowed to be on team staff might knacker him. Fingers crossed, eh?

Bjarne Riis ?

Author Topic: So, farewell then, Alexandre Vinokourov... (Read 3502 times)

Martin

gonzo