Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: noggy on 20 August, 2011, 09:03:16 pm

Title: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: noggy on 20 August, 2011, 09:03:16 pm
It's rare that I post, especially new topics but my dander is up (as they say in these parts :o)
Teams- No one seemed interested - Movistar and Astana even admitted they don't know who their leader is
TV coverage-utterly appalling! sound cut out , crap picutures missing all the juicy stuff
ITV4- just so awful- I like Ned but as anchor presenter he is out of his league- mind you it'll all be on a budget of €50
Commentator- aussie pratt- makes you really appreciate Phil and paul
Post race - ITV4 obviously don't have own reporter for post stage- interviews- like why was Cav 2m45 off, what about Wiggo and his usual dismissive comments about why it won't matter they are 40s off pace on a 16m stage
Edited "highlights" was shown all out of order

Was looking forward to seeing some stages live- cant be arsed now :demon:

Rant over
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Pingu on 20 August, 2011, 09:08:20 pm
The muppet who edited the highlights should be thoroughly sporked ashamed  :demon:
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: robgul on 20 August, 2011, 09:24:43 pm
Have to say that I too was underwhelmed by the ITV4 "coverage" ... when the first team went off and the bloke said that Sky had lost n time .... it went even further downhill from there.

It does seem that the Vuelta in terms of ranking in the "3 Grand Tours" comes in at about No 10 ... massive disinterest from the teams and pretty much everyone else ... may be  that it's because of timing? - used to be in September IIRC ... but then of course we have the, yawn, Tour of Britain filling that slot now.   The other factor affecting the teams is that the riders are in the "transfer window" for next year's contracts.

Poor old Ned seemed almost ashamed of what he was doing ... and what did Rendell (those facial expressions!!) and Swift add? ... nothing.

Rob  (Disappointed of Stratford-upon-Avon)
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Canardly on 20 August, 2011, 09:25:14 pm
Bradley's interview included the comment 'we have been treated like dogs for the last hour'. What was that all about?
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Biff on 21 August, 2011, 04:04:17 pm
the Vuelta in terms of ranking in the "3 Grand Tours" comes in at about No 10 ... massive disinterest from the teams and pretty much everyone else ... may be  that it's because of timing? - used to be in September IIRC ... Rob  (Disappointed of Stratford-upon-Avon)

The Vuelta used to take place in April up to the mid 90's (can't remember exact year). It was moved because it was too close to the Giro.
I quite enjoy Matt Rendell's contributions .
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: TheLurker on 22 August, 2011, 08:37:06 am
Yeah the coverage is lacking a little sparkle, but it's bike racing on (nearly) primetime TV.  When you compare it with the 5s summaries you used to get on World of Sport in the dim and distant, "...and a Belgian cyclist called, how do you say this name? Murks? has won a stage in a French bicycle race.  Now; back to the wrestling with Jackie Pallo and Mick McManus..." it's fucking marvellous.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: David Martin on 22 August, 2011, 08:56:46 am
Yeah the coverage is lacking a little sparkle, but it's bike racing on (nearly) primetime TV. 

With really *ahem* interesting approaches to colour that would have redshift rolling eyes and tearing hair out..
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 22 August, 2011, 12:26:50 pm
Yeah the coverage is lacking a little sparkle, but it's bike racing on (nearly) primetime TV. 

With really *ahem* interesting approaches to colour that would have redshift rolling eyes and tearing hair out..

Well, since it exaggerated the blue (the only attractive colour in my world), it was my idea of heaven. I wish you could really buy jerseys that colour. It was only in evidence on the Moto 1 camera as far as I could tell.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 22 August, 2011, 03:53:40 pm
The other factor affecting the teams is that the riders are in the "transfer window" for next year's contracts.

...which seems to be the main reason why Thor Hushovd isn't even there. Which is a big shame.

Good to see a few of the big-name riders who weren't selected for the TdF though - Sagan, Nuyens, Rodriguez. And hopefully, Wiggo will last more than a few days in this one.

The picture quality is pretty awful - don't think this is ITV's fault as it's the same on Eurosport. Presumably they're taking the same feed from Spanish TV. No excuse for ITV's shoddy editing of the highlights though. And at least Eurosport have brought their A-list commentary team. You could almost believe it was a last-minute decision by ITV to cover the race...

But yes, it's encouraging that they did decide to cover it, however late in the day they left it. Maybe we'll even get the Giro and the Spring classics on ITV as well next year.

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: David Martin on 22 August, 2011, 05:32:07 pm
You could almost believe it was a last-minute decision by ITV to cover the race...

I think it was. With such a strong response to the Tour, and the presence of Wiggins and Cavendish, it made it a good decision to take. Unfortunately the A-team for commentary apepar to have been unavailable.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 22 August, 2011, 06:03:42 pm
That was meant to be a joke. It definitely was a last-minute decision.

The budgetary constraints are evident in the choice of commentatary. AIUI, they can only afford to get Phil'n'Paul in for the TdF because they're sharing them with American TV.

Boardman has mentioned on Twitter that he's not covering it because he's on holiday, though he might be back before the end of the race.

Ned is obviously contracted to ITV. I like him. He's my favourite of the regular TdF team and I think he makes a decent anchor.

No idea where Gary Haircut is though. Probably on holiday too.

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: JT on 22 August, 2011, 06:24:02 pm
According to Chris Boardman, Gary Imlach only works on the TDF. Despite being one of the sports presenters there is, that's the only thing he chooses to do all year.

The whole thing, the Spanish TV pictures, the Aussie commentator, and ITV's cheapo production, are all spectacularly shoddy and amateurish. But, as said upthread, it's a Grand Tour on proper telly so who gives a monkeys.

Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Steve Kish on 22 August, 2011, 09:41:58 pm
That Aussie commentator with his 'Haitch-T-C' bugs the life out of me.  It was bad enough with Ben Swift saying it!! >:(
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 23 August, 2011, 09:06:12 am

Ned is obviously contracted to ITV. I like him.

And his book is very good.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 23 August, 2011, 10:56:29 am
According to Chris Boardman, Gary Imlach only works on the TDF. Despite being one of the sports presenters there is, that's the only thing he chooses to do all year.

He also used to do American football when it was on C4 and he was great on that. I've totally gone off American football since C4 lost the rights. And who was it who did the sumo commentary? He was superb. Again, TV coverage of sumo has never been the same since C4 lost it.

Quote
But, as said upthread, it's a Grand Tour on proper telly so who gives a monkeys.

And for that we are truly grateful.

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 23 August, 2011, 06:57:44 pm

Quote
But, as said upthread, it's a Grand Tour on proper telly so who gives a monkeys.

And for that we are truly grateful.

d.

+1
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: fuzzy on 23 August, 2011, 10:56:28 pm
Apparently Cav has withdrawn today as well.....
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Seineseeker on 24 August, 2011, 02:07:15 am
As far as the Phil'n'Paul debate goes, they aren't available to ITV, because AFAIK they aren't covering it. It's not on their US channel (versus) here, it's on another channel (Universal Sports), the same that did the Giro. Coverage here is ok, 3 hours live every morning, but it's not in HD!

I've always found it the most boring of the 3 GTs. Especially after you have feasted on Le Tour, at least the Giro whets your appetite.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 24 August, 2011, 07:19:06 am
Switching to Eurosport, we too have been at the mercy of Spanish TV, whose grasp of technology seems to be about 20 years behind the times.  But at least we have the great Sean Kelly on commentary.  We've started a word bingo competition for his stock phrases - 'Playing the waiting game' and  'Doing the calculation' are winning at the moment.  We award ourselves a bonus when we spot him using both in the same sentence  :)
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: David Martin on 24 August, 2011, 08:55:23 am
The live commentary for the US Pro Challenge (Tour of Colorado) is quite entertaining. You get the (correct) impression that the commentators are as much spectators as you are, as they sit there talking about anything and everything (how to pronounce 'Crested Butte'). It went rather 'test Match Special'  yesterday..

Quote
And if you've just joined us the current state is that nothing is happening. It is an arrow straight road for miles, the peloton are just rolling along chatting amongst themselves and the two guys off the front are probably not enjoying this so much. They make very good cakes in this part of the world. Oh look, the man with the graphics has got his pointer out again. You can see Cadel Evans riding along in the bunch...
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: David Martin on 25 August, 2011, 09:24:24 am
Arghh.. ITV - don't show the stage winner crossing the line in the *opening credits*. Your editor needs to be given a good kicking.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 25 August, 2011, 05:26:42 pm
Which is more embarrassing - ITV's coverage or Liquigas's team tactics?

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/529886/sagan-takes-vuelta-stage-win-in-controversial-circumstances.html
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 25 August, 2011, 08:37:48 pm
Which is more embarrassing - ITV's coverage or Liquigas's team tactics?

You would have thought they'd've sorted out which of the four of them (and Pablo Lastras) was going to win before they got to the 1km kite. Like the night before? Or even on the way up the last climb.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 25 August, 2011, 08:40:27 pm
What about the Headway ad for helmets with Cracknell in the Eurosport coverage, then?

I'll take this over to Lift the Lid.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 28 August, 2011, 10:29:01 am
More embarassment - ITV4 is not showing the Angliru stage live.

Apparently, some chaps driving cars round in circles is more interesting.

Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: David Martin on 28 August, 2011, 04:42:59 pm
Well that was a fantastic stage with a great finish.. Shame about the pictures..

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 28 August, 2011, 05:21:03 pm
Well that was a fantastic stage with a great finish.. Shame about the pictures..

+1, +1 and +1 to the contents of the spoiler.
Title: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 28 August, 2011, 05:27:45 pm
+1 to all of the above.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Steve Kish on 28 August, 2011, 07:25:05 pm
I'm still unconvinced about Wiggo, as much as I'd like to be proven wrong. 

Great guy and all that, so hopefully the board-flat 30 mile TT tomorrow will do just that.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: David Martin on 28 August, 2011, 08:03:05 pm
I think he has learned where his strengths are. Long steady efforts, and as he has a good power to weight ratio he can make it tell on the long, even climbs that aren't too steep. And he is good enough to be there or thereabouts on the things he isn't so good at.

Much better and more mature performance than the last few years.
Title: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 29 August, 2011, 04:23:17 pm
He's like a naturally aspirated version of Indurain.

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 29 August, 2011, 05:16:06 pm
TT - Well that was all very surprising.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: David Martin on 29 August, 2011, 07:24:38 pm
ITV 4, stop telling us the result at the beginning and showing the TT all out of order. It's called television m not print media. Tell us a story, keep us in suspense and finally reveal the result.

Pish editing. Complete rubbish presentation.

..d
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 29 August, 2011, 08:45:09 pm
I like Ned Boulting and Matt Rendell but the rest of the production lets them down.

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: gonzo on 29 August, 2011, 08:51:47 pm
I have to go to Pez cycling for the news as my usual, Velonews, are basically not reporting on it which is strange.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 29 August, 2011, 09:25:54 pm
I like Ned Boulting and Matt Rendell but the rest of the production lets them down.

d.

I find ITV4 good for the chat and speculation at the beginning and end, but Eurosport has far better commentators, bearing in mind Uncle Phil isn't available (I can't stand that man and that man is a man by the name of Paul Sherwen, even though he does know what he's talking about).

Anyone know what's happened to Duffers?
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: gonzo on 29 August, 2011, 09:41:34 pm
Anyone know what's happened to Duffers?

I hear that the man who phoned Duffers up to tell him that his services were no longer required, after accidentally mentioning that he'd, "been on holiday to a Marseillian in France, have you heard of it?" actually died while waiting to get a word in*. Rumour has it that a phone still dangles out of the cradle somewhere in British Eurosport HQ in a sealed room, but if you press your ear to the door, you can hear all about the local wildlife (oysters apparently).

*after 2 days and discovering that it's exceedingly hard to kill ones self with a bic pen, the poor man hanged himself with the phonecord.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 29 August, 2011, 11:28:09 pm
Anyone know what's happened to Duffers?

I hear that the man who phoned Duffers up to tell him that his services were no longer required, after accidentally mentioning that he'd, "been on holiday to a Marseillian in France, have you heard of it?" actually died while waiting to get a word in*. Rumour has it that a phone still dangles out of the cradle somewhere in British Eurosport HQ in a sealed room, but if you press your ear to the door, you can hear all about the local wildlife (oysters apparently).

*after 2 days and discovering that it's exceedingly hard to kill ones self with a bic pen, the poor man hanged himself with the phonecord.

 ;D ;D ;D :hand: ;D ;D ;D ;D Bless old Duffers I used to like listening to his commentary, he wasn't all bad :)
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 30 August, 2011, 10:51:52 am
Anyone know what's happened to Duffers?

I hear that the man who phoned Duffers up to tell him that his services were no longer required, after accidentally mentioning that he'd, "been on holiday to a Marseillian in France, have you heard of it?" actually died while waiting to get a word in*. Rumour has it that a phone still dangles out of the cradle somewhere in British Eurosport HQ in a sealed room, but if you press your ear to the door, you can hear all about the local wildlife (oysters apparently).

*after 2 days and discovering that it's exceedingly hard to kill ones self with a bic pen, the poor man hanged himself with the phonecord.

 ;D ;D ;D :hand: ;D ;D ;D ;D Bless old Duffers I used to like listening to his commentary, he wasn't all bad :)

+1

I well remember his commentary as a race went over the Col de Deves (not as exciting as it sounds) in the Tricastin that not only completely failed to tell the viewers what was happening in the race, but also completely failed to get the details of the local food and wine right.

I could easily forgive him both.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: spesh on 30 August, 2011, 08:55:20 pm
Anyone know what's happened to Duffers?

I hear that the man who phoned Duffers up to tell him that his services were no longer required, after accidentally mentioning that he'd, "been on holiday to a Marseillian in France, have you heard of it?" actually died while waiting to get a word in*. Rumour has it that a phone still dangles out of the cradle somewhere in British Eurosport HQ in a sealed room, but if you press your ear to the door, you can hear all about the local wildlife (oysters apparently).

*after 2 days and discovering that it's exceedingly hard to kill ones self with a bic pen, the poor man hanged himself with the phonecord.

ROFL  ;D
Title: Re: Vuelta..Wiggins is leading!
Post by: Tewdric on 31 August, 2011, 08:21:58 pm
Wiggins is in the lead!  WOOT WOOT!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: David Martin on 31 August, 2011, 09:32:41 pm
One has a nasty feeling that wiggins will lose the Vuelta to Nibali by less than team Sky lost in the TTT... The pure climbers know that, like today, if they can hang on to Wiggo then they can take back 20-30 seconds at the top. For Nibali the gains will only be a handful of seconds. It is too close to call - could it be decided on a time bonus from an intermediate sprint?
Title: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 31 August, 2011, 11:05:08 pm
One has a nasty feeling that wiggins will lose the Vuelta to Nibali by less than team Sky lost in the TTT...

Have a horrible feeling you could be right. Nibali is looking very strong.

Mind you, Wiggo is also looking strong and he did take a chunk out of Nibali, Anton, Rodriguez etc on Saturday, so you never know...

I'm increasingly convinced he would have won the TdF though. Sky had a much stronger team there and the route was perhaps less suited to pure climbers. He'd certainly have given Cadel a race, at least.

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: David Martin on 31 August, 2011, 11:08:22 pm
Cadel and Wiggo are definitely two of a type. I would put Wiggins as stronger for the TT and mountains (just, if he like Evans rides them at a constant threshold pace) but not as good in the sprints and short steep climbs, where Evans has the edge.

If he can keep this up for a few more days then it is definitely looking good. Green and Yellow (and Olympic gold) next year? What odds would you get for that?
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: JT on 01 September, 2011, 09:36:21 am
If he can keep this up for a few more days then it is definitely looking good. Green and Yellow (and Olympic gold) next year? What odds would you get for that?

Very long ones I would imagine.  ;D
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 September, 2011, 09:39:54 am
When I see this thread title why does the first word always appear as "Vulva"?
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: JT on 01 September, 2011, 10:15:27 am
When I see this thread title why does the first word always appear as "Vulva"?

Because you're a dirty old man?  ;)

Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Tim on 01 September, 2011, 02:03:20 pm
Tom Boonen's injury :sick: (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/boonen-suffering-from-open-groin-wound)
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: αdαmsκι on 01 September, 2011, 03:01:22 pm
The Eurosport article (http://tiny.cc/grb08) I read about Boonen's injury has this photo of him (http://d.yimg.com/i//ng/sp/eurosport/20110901/25/f801b0398d92f1363efd4dbc71b7a22c.jpg) as he goes to sit back on his saddle.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 01 September, 2011, 03:08:50 pm
I thought cocaine was supposed to ruin your septum, not your perineum.

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 September, 2011, 03:11:02 pm
When I see this thread title why does the first word always appear as "Vulva"?

Because you're a dirty old man?  ;)

Yes, but I don't think I've ever found a vulva embarrassing. :D
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 September, 2011, 03:12:20 pm
Tom Boonen's injury :sick: (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/boonen-suffering-from-open-groin-wound)

Eddie Merckx would just have bunged another rump steak down his shorts.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: fuzzy on 01 September, 2011, 03:16:44 pm
Tom Boonen's injury :sick: (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/boonen-suffering-from-open-groin-wound)

Chaffeage of the Gods?
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: clarion on 01 September, 2011, 03:24:37 pm
Comment on Eurosport/Yahoo article:

Quote from: 'Jenny'
I am a 28 years lady ,beautiful and mature . Now I am­ seeking a good man who can give me real love , my­ friends told me a nice place ..blahblahblah

I wasn't familiar with her works,­ only her escapades and troubles that made for headline­ news. Personally, I didn't have a connection to­ her, but from all accounts her death was tragic, but­ not necessarily untimely.

I agree with others,­ that Ms. Winehouse was a daughter and a friend, amongst­ other things during her relatively short life. While­ self-destruction seems to be a common thread linking­ together many caught up in fame, it doesn't­ minimize that they are also fragile and human and often­ succumb to the same things the rest of us do. The­ difference is that we hold them all up on a unrealistic­ pedestal, to such a height that if they ever teeter,­ they'll fall to their demise, sometime­ figuratively, other times literally.

It's­ obvious that Ms. Winehouse had problems and like I­ said, I wasn't a fan of her music. It would be easy­ to fall into the cauldron of insults and inanely point­ out the obvious and/or surface fodder she provided.­ I've decided instead to say R.I.P. to her and hope­ she found the rest she was seeking and to her family,­ friends and fans that they also remember the good­ things she did.

Now is not the time to judge, but­ to grieve and out of respect, withhold inflammatory­ comments at least for a day or so. I know that's­ asking a lot from some on here, but it's the­ absolute least anyone could do.

And I think she speaks for all of us there.  I am sure that Boonen will be grieving out of respect for what remains of his scrotum.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Greenbank on 01 September, 2011, 03:31:21 pm
It's a spam bot advertising a dating site. It's using text stolen from a news article about Amy Winehouse to dilute the spam text to help it pass Bayesian spam filters.

I'm sure the spam author is happy that it's being copy and pasted elsewhere to increase circulation.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 01 September, 2011, 03:33:05 pm
Yes, but I don't think I've ever found a vulva embarrassing. :D

Then you've obviously never had a cousin expose hers at your sister's wedding.

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 01 September, 2011, 03:33:46 pm
It's a spam bot advertising a dating site. It's using text stolen from a news article about Amy Winehouse to dilute the spam text to help it pass Bayesian spam filters.

I'm sure the spam author is happy that it's being copy and pasted elsewhere to increase circulation.

Did you read it all the way to the end?

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Tim on 01 September, 2011, 03:41:04 pm
I think that the final line is merely an incorrectly applied use of the quote facility on this forum and I doubt it belongs to the spam message at all...

So not merely a sharing of the spam but a failure in coping with the technicalities forum posting!
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 September, 2011, 03:44:51 pm
Yes, but I don't think I've ever found a vulva embarrassing. :D

Then you've obviously never had a cousin expose hers at your sister's wedding.

d.

This is true. Mrs. Wow says "Why would she do that?"
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Greenbank on 01 September, 2011, 03:54:47 pm
It's a spam bot advertising a dating site. It's using text stolen from a news article about Amy Winehouse to dilute the spam text to help it pass Bayesian spam filters.

I'm sure the spam author is happy that it's being copy and pasted elsewhere to increase circulation.

Did you read it all the way to the end?

Have you looked at the original?

As Tim points out, the final line of the 'quote' are actually clarion's words.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 01 September, 2011, 03:56:50 pm
As Tim points out, the final line of the 'quote' are actually clarion's words.

Ah, I see. That makes more sense.

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 01 September, 2011, 03:57:55 pm
This is true. Mrs. Wow says "Why would she do that?"

My cousin is somewhat bohemian. In the sense that she enjoys dancing but doesn't enjoy wearing undergarments.

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Biff on 01 September, 2011, 06:39:00 pm
Quote from: Wowbagger
Yes, but I don't think I've ever found a vulva embarrassing. :D

I've occasionally found a Volvo embarassing.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 September, 2011, 09:37:25 am
This is true. Mrs. Wow says "Why would she do that?"

My cousin is somewhat bohemian. In the sense that she enjoys dancing but doesn't enjoy wearing undergarments.

d.

This thread is useless without...
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: David Martin on 02 September, 2011, 10:41:19 am
... mind bleach?
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Billy Weir on 04 September, 2011, 05:19:41 pm
As budget as the coverage is, at least stage cycling beyond the juggernaut that is the TdeF is being shown on terrestrial television, with live coverage and a highlights show.  ITV are doing something relatively brave, taking a punt on something that might or might not attract an audience.

Compared with the lack of any commitment of the BBC to cycling (particularly non-track cycling - Wiggins' performance yesterday did not even get a mention in the sports bulletins on Saturday or Sunday, FFS) I'd rather have ITV4's ramshackle presentation in the hope that an audience develops and encourages greater investment in the format.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Fixedwheelnut on 04 September, 2011, 08:03:13 pm
+1 National news coverage for our cycling greats is piss poor, Cav's green jersey barely got a mention  >:(
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 04 September, 2011, 09:01:20 pm
+1 National news coverage for our cycling greats is piss poor, Cav's green jersey barely got a mention  >:(

See also this thread (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=51385.15)

The media are deranged bastards, when it comes to sport.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: fuzzy on 05 September, 2011, 06:47:54 pm
I did find nearly a page about Wiggo et al in todays Daily Express.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 06 September, 2011, 11:01:39 am
Not even a paragraph in the Guardian today.  :(

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: JT on 06 September, 2011, 12:04:27 pm
Not even a paragraph in the Guardian today.  :(

d.

Yesterday was a rest day - what exactly do you expect them to report on?  :)
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 06 September, 2011, 12:25:23 pm
There weren't any football matches yesterday either but they still managed to fill several pages with "news" about football.

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 06 September, 2011, 02:06:15 pm
Not even a paragraph in the Guardian today.  :(

d.

Yesterday was a rest day - what exactly do you expect them to report on?  :)

Riders' fitness? Transfers? Speculation about top contenders? WAGs? Barking-mad managers*? All apparently essential reading for the football fan.



* I write as a follower of the Arsenal.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Nuncio on 07 September, 2011, 01:31:32 pm
Ebarassment in the Vuelta yesterday for
a) Robert Wagner, Benatti's lead-out man, who went right at a roundabout 300m from the end of the stage instead of left, and
b) the marshall who's only job was to point the riders in the right direction at the roundabout and who had reportedly left his station for some tapas and rioja.
Possibly also
c) The organizers for having a roundabout so near the end and not making it clearer which direction to go.

Tough luck on the sprinters who have had very few opportunities in this Vuelta, including Peter Sagan who started following Wagner when looking a cert for a second stage win. 
Cav's view:

Quote
With regards to today's #Vuelta finish, that's why EVERY rider should read the race-booklet. There's no excuse when the finish is AS IT SAYS

Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: clarion on 07 September, 2011, 01:39:07 pm
Hey - respect to Robert Wagner (http://www.charlierose.com/images_toplevel/content/10/1018/segment_10189_460x345.jpg) for riding at the top level. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: eeymsmo on 07 September, 2011, 04:07:02 pm
Nothing embarassing about the finish today. Good and exciting  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: citoyen on 07 September, 2011, 04:15:21 pm
Epic racing. Astonishing finish. Wow.

d.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Rhys W on 07 September, 2011, 04:21:24 pm
Fantastic effort from Froome. Wiggins is finished.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Tewdric on 07 September, 2011, 04:31:15 pm
Who would have predicted this before the race started?  Astonishing.  Go on Froomer...
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: David Martin on 07 September, 2011, 05:17:54 pm
Fantastic effort from Froome. Wiggins is finished.
So Wiggins is set for the second best ever finish for a British rider in a Grand Tour and he is finished?
How fickle the fans are...

Quote
@bradwiggins: Chris Froome going from strength to strength, Superb. And all that after people shouting at him, "you win we kill you", unbelievable
Though the Spanish fans seem a little partisan..
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 07 September, 2011, 07:32:04 pm
Fantastic effort from Froome. Wiggins is finished.

You mean like Nibali, Mollema, Menchov....?
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Rhys W on 07 September, 2011, 07:38:28 pm
What I meant was his attempt at winning this Vuelta is over. I don't think he's got the ability to cope with attacks in the mountains, or to launch his own attacks.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Honest John on 07 September, 2011, 08:27:49 pm
What I meant was his attempt at winning this Vuelta is over. I don't think he's got the ability to cope with attacks in the mountains, or to launch his own attacks.

Let's see what his team manages to do if it's windy.

Coming second or third in the Vuelta is a fairly non-trivial achievement any way.
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: mr magnolia on 23 September, 2011, 04:57:02 pm
A late contribution just to record how grateful I was to see the rubbish coverage of some truly fantastic racing - hope they have it again next year on itv!
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: spesh on 13 June, 2019, 04:26:07 pm
<thread necro>

Quote
Chris Froome could be crowned the winner of the 2011 Vuelta a España after Juan José Cobo has been caught doping.

The UCI has announced that the former Movistar rider was found guilty of doping from 2009 and 2011, based on abnormalities in his biological passport.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/chris-froome-crowned-winner-2011-vuelta-espana-juan-jose-cobo-caught-doping-427070
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: quixoticgeek on 13 June, 2019, 05:02:08 pm
<thread necro>

Quote
Chris Froome could be crowned the winner of the 2011 Vuelta a España after Juan José Cobo has been caught doping.

The UCI has announced that the former Movistar rider was found guilty of doping from 2009 and 2011, based on abnormalities in his biological passport.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/vuelta-a-espana/chris-froome-crowned-winner-2011-vuelta-espana-juan-jose-cobo-caught-doping-427070

Beautiful irony is that Chris Froome is probably out of his head on all sorts of drugs that aren't legal during competition. I'm guessing the ICU presence comes with a TUI...

Wiggo must be furious...

J
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Hot Flatus on 13 June, 2019, 05:11:43 pm
All three doped to fuck during the 2011 vuelta
Title: Re: Vuelta...embarassing
Post by: Ian H on 13 June, 2019, 07:34:32 pm
All three doped to fuck during the 2011 vuelta

And did they fuck?