Poll

Which should Cav go for?

TdF green jersey
6 (22.2%)
Olympics
4 (14.8%)
Surely he can win both!
17 (63%)

Total Members Voted: 26

Author Topic: Green jersey vs Olympics  (Read 1795 times)

citoyen

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Green jersey vs Olympics
« on: 16 March, 2012, 12:14:28 pm »
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/mar/16/mark-cavendish-tour-de-france-olympics

Hmm. Slightly surprised. I would have thought the TdF would be the priority over the Olympics for Cav. But this is really a trumped-up non-story, isnt it? All Ellingworth actually says is "there's a chance" Cav may quit the Tour if he feels it's likely to affect his chances in the Olympics.

d.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

Re: Green jersey vs Olympics
« Reply #1 on: 16 March, 2012, 12:39:41 pm »
On the quiz show Pointless earlier in the week only 4 people out of 100 knew the name of the last British TdF green jersey winner.  Despite it being a British team rather than a Sky team, if it came to a choice, I wonder if the sponsors would prefer to see their man with an olympic gold medal than tdf stage wins/green jersey.  Does anyone know if the company have any influence in this sort of thing?

A bit OT, but isn't it fortunate for Geraint Thomas that his team are allowing him to concentrate on the track this season.  I doubt other teams would let him do that.  Or even if Sky would have much truck with any of their non-British riders who requested a schedule that would enable them to help their nations either on the track or the road at the olympics, at the expense of Sky's tdf objectives.

citoyen

  • Occasionally rides a bike
Re: Green jersey vs Olympics
« Reply #2 on: 16 March, 2012, 12:56:20 pm »
I thought exactly the same about Geraint Thomas. He really ought to be aiming for a few of the spring classics - got to be a contender for Paris-Roubaix, surely? - and then working his arse off for Brad in the TdF.

d.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

Cudzoziemiec

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Re: Green jersey vs Olympics
« Reply #3 on: 16 March, 2012, 01:36:00 pm »
I guess it comes down to pleasing the general public with an Olympic medal or the cycling public with a green jersey. Both will be good for him and Sky - even though he won't be in the Olympics as a Sky team, it's still bound to reflect a little glory on him - but I'd have thought the green jersey is more of a boost to his career. OTOH if he's already looking in the future to a post-racing career outside cycling, the Olympics would be a better springboard to anything.
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JT

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Re: Green jersey vs Olympics
« Reply #4 on: 16 March, 2012, 02:30:21 pm »
If the Green Jersey points system hadn't changed last year, Cav would still be going for green this year - by winning as many stages as possible. However, with the greater emphasis on the intermediate sprints, the team will have to work a lot more even on days that won't end up in a sprint finish (including mountainous days). It seems there's now a realisation that this might conflict with trying to win yellow.

The reason Sky are in cycling (apart from the publicity) is to get bums on saddles in the UK. There's no doubt that a gold medal for Cav would inspire more people than another Green Jersey. Whereas a yellow jersey is probably even better than an Olympic medal. Cav's always been very business-like about cycling, often saying that it's his job to get exposure for the team sponsors therefore he shouldn't have any issue with the above and he can still go for stage wins.

Team Sky was setup in conjunction with British Cycling specifically to help British road riders manage their programmes to suit the Olympics. It's not fortunate that Geraint Thomas is doing just that, it's planned.

a great mind thinks alike

citoyen

  • Occasionally rides a bike
Re: Green jersey vs Olympics
« Reply #5 on: 16 March, 2012, 02:37:09 pm »
The reason Sky are in cycling (apart from the publicity) is to get bums on saddles in the UK. There's no doubt that a gold medal for Cav would inspire more people than another Green Jersey.

Fair point.

Quote
It's not fortunate that Geraint Thomas is doing just that, it's planned.

Aye, but continental riders must look at the British Cycling setup and think we're a bit bonkers. Can you imagine a French, Belgian or Italian rider of Geraint Thomas's ability preferring track to road racing? Never mind working for Brad, I've long thought he's a potential GC contender himself.

d.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

mattc

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Re: Green jersey vs Olympics
« Reply #6 on: 16 March, 2012, 02:46:42 pm »
When was the last Belgian Olympics?
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JT

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Re: Green jersey vs Olympics
« Reply #7 on: 16 March, 2012, 02:49:06 pm »
The reason Sky are in cycling (apart from the publicity) is to get bums on saddles in the UK. There's no doubt that a gold medal for Cav would inspire more people than another Green Jersey.

Fair point.

Quote
It's not fortunate that Geraint Thomas is doing just that, it's planned.

Aye, but continental riders must look at the British Cycling setup and think we're a bit bonkers. Can you imagine a French, Belgian or Italian rider of Geraint Thomas's ability preferring track to road racing? Never mind working for Brad, I've long thought he's a potential GC contender himself.

d.

Yes but historically there was no money in track riding. Guys like Morkov and Rasmussen from Denmark recently had to prioritise the road because they needed to earn a living. Geraint is in the fortunate position whereby he doesn't have to choose one over the other on financial grounds. Plus he's said already that this will probably be his last track season.

And don't forget it's a home Olympics - that's a huge attraction for the guys.
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citoyen

  • Occasionally rides a bike
Re: Green jersey vs Olympics
« Reply #8 on: 16 March, 2012, 03:38:26 pm »
Yes but historically there was no money in track riding.

Again, good point. This is why I like discussing the subject with people who know what they're talking about.  :)

Quote
And don't forget it's a home Olympics - that's a huge attraction for the guys.

Hmm. If there were a Belgian Olympics, would you see Phillippe Gilbert and Tom Boonen on the track or in the road race?

d.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

JT

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Re: Green jersey vs Olympics
« Reply #9 on: 16 March, 2012, 04:22:41 pm »
Yes but historically there was no money in track riding.

Again, good point. This is why I like discussing the subject with people who know what they're talking about.  :)

Quote
And don't forget it's a home Olympics - that's a huge attraction for the guys.

Hmm. If there were a Belgian Olympics, would you see Phillippe Gilbert and Tom Boonen on the track or in the road race?

d.

They'd be in the road race for sure. But they don't have a history of riding the track as G does.

A better example would be Theo Bos, the Dutch road sprinter (rides for Rabobank) who was a track World Champion at the sprint, Kierin and Kilo. Bos switched to the road in 2008 and in 2011 won a stage of the Tour of Oman (Cav was second that day). He also rode the Madison at the track world championships in Apledoorn (Netherlands) in 2011. He'd probably switch back to the track if the Netherlands hosted the Olympics.
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Mr Larrington

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Re: Green jersey vs Olympics
« Reply #10 on: 19 March, 2012, 02:32:39 pm »
When was the last Belgian Olympics?

1920, Antwerp.
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Re: Green jersey vs Olympics
« Reply #11 on: 19 March, 2012, 03:32:39 pm »
Olympic medals = funding for British Cycling.