Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Racing => Topic started by: Jakob on 06 April, 2010, 07:37:38 pm

Title: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Jakob on 06 April, 2010, 07:37:38 pm
         Mark Cavendish puts Team Sky on alert after criticism of André Greipel |
            Sport |
            The Guardian
    (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/apr/06/mark-cavendish-andre-greipel)

Quote
"If I wanted to just win races I wouldn't ride every ProTour race," said Cavendish. "I understand that at the moment I'm racing to be in my best form for the Tour de France and the world championships. If I wanted to get shit small wins, I'd race shit small races."

He makes it very easy to dislike him.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: GruB on 06 April, 2010, 07:41:54 pm
Cycling Sport had an interesting article about Andre some time ago.  It constantly referred to the clash between him and Cavendish that so far the team were managing very well.
Considering HTC Columbia is a modern take of T-Mobile - I reckon the German will get better service in the long run.
Cavendish will go to Sky is my bet.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rich753 on 06 April, 2010, 07:45:32 pm
wysiwyg

Personally I very much like what I see.

Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: GruB on 06 April, 2010, 07:57:59 pm
Yep, I agree.
I see Cavendish as open and honest.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: simonp on 06 April, 2010, 07:59:40 pm
Yep, I agree.
I see Cavendish as open and honest.


+1.

Most sportsmen learn not to speak their minds after a while.  Cavendish is his own man, and won't be told how to act, it seems.  I like this.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Jakob on 06 April, 2010, 08:05:13 pm
Heh..and if he was, say, American, would you say the same?
 :demon:
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: GruB on 06 April, 2010, 08:06:43 pm
Bearing in mind I am Australian, then yes  ;D
He reminds me a lot of Robbie McEwen in his prime.
Fired up and full of go.

Cavendish though is much much better.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: simonp on 06 April, 2010, 08:10:20 pm
Heh..and if he was, say, American, would you say the same?
 :demon:

Dunno, I doubt anyone would have made a fuss if he was.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Jakob on 06 April, 2010, 09:55:51 pm
So, it's ok if junior sprinters in your local club starts behaving the same way?.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rich753 on 06 April, 2010, 10:13:58 pm
When they have won a monument, numerous Giro/Tour stages and given appropriate thanks to their team-mates who put them in that position, then yes your junior sprinters can behave like Cav.

Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: simonp on 06 April, 2010, 10:21:04 pm
So, it's ok if junior sprinters in your local club starts behaving the same way?.

They can do what they like, it's not my place to tell people how to be successful athletes, is it?  Cav seems to have worked it out.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rich753 on 06 April, 2010, 10:38:33 pm
Cycling Sport had an interesting article about Andre some time ago.  It constantly referred to the clash between him and Cavendish that so far the team were managing very well.
Considering HTC Columbia is a modern take of T-Mobile - I reckon the German will get better service in the long run.
Cavendish will go to Sky is my bet.

Not sure I agree - Bob Stapleton has spent big time trying to distance them from the T-Mobile days, and I believe they are now US-based and very proud of their multi-cultural mix.

Cav is they guy really getting them noticed in the big races so not sure they'll give him up without a fight - they've let Boasson-Hagen and Ciolek both go rather than risk upsetting Cav,

And Cav will only move if they stop building a team around him - no sign of that yet.

Tho' I bet Sky would love to have him!
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Jakob on 06 April, 2010, 11:28:17 pm
So, it's ok if junior sprinters in your local club starts behaving the same way?.

They can do what they like, it's not my place to tell people how to be successful athletes, is it?  Cav seems to have worked it out.
I disagree. Being a successful athlete does not mean that bad behaviour should be excused.
Neither Chris Hoy, Pendleton, et al, resorts to that crap and even Armstrong, who could certainly be arrogant, was never as bad as Cav.
I honestly think that you guys are being dishonest and only accept it because he's British...in the same way that when foreign footballers dive, it's bad(mm'kay), but when England players do it, it's 'smart'.
Oh and junior sprinters wont wait until they've done all that...and admonishing them wont help, when your idol is doing and it's seemingly ok.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rich753 on 06 April, 2010, 11:34:07 pm
Good sprinters are pretty much by definition gob-shites, they do no work for 99.9% of the race then take all the glory in a brutal finish.  If your junior sprinters haven't got that touch of arrogance then they can forget it, the race does not go to the meek.

I'm happy to admit I'm biased btw - I've had the pleasure of meeting Cav on a four-day training camp (he was there for two days post ToB) and he was a cracking kid.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: GruB on 07 April, 2010, 05:58:49 am
So, it's ok if junior sprinters in your local club starts behaving the same way?.

They can do what they like, it's not my place to tell people how to be successful athletes, is it?  Cav seems to have worked it out.
I disagree. Being a successful athlete does not mean that bad behaviour should be excused.
Neither Chris Hoy, Pendleton, et al, resorts to that crap and even Armstrong, who could certainly be arrogant, was never as bad as Cav.
I honestly think that you guys are being dishonest and only accept it because he's British...in the same way that when foreign footballers dive, it's bad(mm'kay), but when England players do it, it's 'smart'.
Oh and junior sprinters wont wait until they've done all that...and admonishing them wont help, when your idol is doing and it's seemingly ok.


Jakob,
I don't understand how I am being dishonest by disagreeing.  If a player dives then that is a dive, no matter what country they come from.  That is cheating - not bitching about a team mate.

The main link to T Mobile that I can see is Rolf Aldag.  He is German and they also have Erik Zabel as sprint coach assistant.  Once again of course T Mobile.  The fact that both are German and Griepel is German is what caused me to question the longevity of Cavendish's role at HTC - Columbia.

The Cycle Sport article actually mentions Cav as doing the Tour of California and Andre doing the Giro - and quotes Aldag as supporting Cav as the agenda is the green jersey.  The only main difference in this article is that it appears to contain personal views of Cavendish on his team mate, in response to comments his team mate made about him.

Who can believe anything in the media anyway?

I am not lucky enough to have met Cavendish, but I certainly would like to.

Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Domestique on 07 April, 2010, 06:25:53 am
Personally I would like to see Team Sky progress as an all rounder team, with the possiblity of doing something podium wise in the TDF.
Having a star sprinter on the team is good for publicity, but that comes with a price. Spectacular as sprinters are, it all gets a bit predictable ie Liquigas and Mario etc.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Jakob on 07 April, 2010, 08:47:23 pm
I'm saying that it's dishonest, because his behaviour is only accepted because his British.
I don't think any such behaviour should be celebrated and I don't for a second buy the argument that he should be allowed to do so because of his success or that he's winning because he's allowed to be so arrogant.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: gonzo on 07 April, 2010, 08:56:40 pm
Who did he say he was looking forwards to helping at the Tour of Flanders last weekend? I thought that was Grippel?
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: GruB on 07 April, 2010, 09:03:21 pm
The bit I just don't get is what he has said that is so wrong.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Nuncio on 07 April, 2010, 09:48:49 pm
Who did he say he was looking forwards to helping at the Tour of Flanders last weekend? I thought that was Grippel?

Bernhard Eisel, I think.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: simonp on 08 April, 2010, 03:48:19 am
The bit I just don't get is what he has said that is so wrong.


Plucky failures don't make us feel so inadequate, you see.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Manotea on 08 April, 2010, 07:26:00 am
Whichever way you look at it, you gotta admire quotes like ' Last year I won it picking my nose'.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: mattc on 08 April, 2010, 12:08:04 pm
I disagree. Being a successful athlete does not mean that bad behaviour should be excused.

I honestly think that you guys are being dishonest and only accept it because he's British...in the same way that when foreign footballers dive, it's bad(mm'kay), but when England players do it, it's 'smart'.
I am completely with you on the first point.

WRT to british footballers - well, I'm sure there are some blinkered patriots, but you're daft to paint everyone with the same brush. And football fans, broad-brush speaking, are a very different bunch to bikerace-fans [I don't know why, but fans of the 2 sports do seem to be more polarised than any other sports in this country.I digress ... ]

However, most importantly, I have NO idea what he has done wrong. His "least diplomatic" comments have been after sprint finishes with a mike shoved in his face while he's still panting and sweating into it. Even then I haven't found fault with his comments - he seems fair, hard-working, grateful to his teammates and honest. He has probably engaged in much less "dubious" tactics than a typical elite sprinter.

What is your problem with him?
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: αdαmsκι on 14 April, 2010, 10:45:33 am
There is an interview with Cav in The Guardian today, in which he stakes his claim as to why he'll win the points jersey in the TdF this year: Mark Cavendish wants the green jersey and sees no one to stop him (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/apr/14/mark-cavendish-tour-de-france).
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rich753 on 15 April, 2010, 12:02:06 pm
he also admits that the tiff with Greipel is a least a little bit manufactured, and shows no indication of leaving HTC-Columbia for Sky.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Paul D on 15 April, 2010, 01:48:49 pm
I see no reason why Sky would want him in the next 12 months.

Sky have obviously stumped up a large amount for their big Tour GC hope Brad, and I don't think many (any?) team would go to the Tour with Cav + 4 lead out train and also Brad + whoever's left to drag him up the climbs? They'd want to weight the team more towards guys that can help Brad, so Cav wouldn't get the support.

Seems an easy descision to stay in a team that's built around you and your green jersey plans.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Jakob on 29 April, 2010, 08:54:01 pm
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2010/4/29/1272564701602/Mark-Cavendish-006.jpg)

Stylish, as always.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: GruB on 29 April, 2010, 09:55:13 pm
 :D :D Nice one Mr C.  Stick it up the German.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: David Martin on 29 April, 2010, 10:10:33 pm
He was so far ahead that that  was before he reached the line and did the 'for the sponsors' salute.

..d
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Tewdric on 29 April, 2010, 10:12:21 pm
Caption It #383 (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=32647.0)

Fill your boots folks!  (I saw it in the Telegraph and put it in Caption It! before I found this thread...)
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: citoyen on 30 April, 2010, 11:03:55 am
@bradwiggins: Good to see Cav winning again. Congrats!

@bradwiggins: As for the salut, well it'll give the cycling forum users something to do for the evening!

 ;D

d.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: citoyen on 30 April, 2010, 11:08:59 am
I see no reason why Sky would want him in the next 12 months.

Having read what his views of Brailsford and the BC set-up in his book, I see no reason why he would want to join Sky. Not that he's particularly anti them, he just doesn't see what they can offer him.

He's in a top team with world-class team-mates who are totally dedicated to getting him into winning positions in races. And I dare say the team are remunerating him quite handsomely too. What possible incentive could he have for moving?

d.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: GruB on 30 April, 2010, 07:33:27 pm
(http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:KMND0-OSln0f_M:http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/imageBank/c/Cavendish-and-Migliore.jpg)

Plus he has a new girlfriend.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: disrail on 30 April, 2010, 07:53:25 pm
The salute was to the doubters who said he'd lost his form.

In the post race interview he said it was a message to the media, that they should think before saying things!! ;D

Hilarious. A great, straightforward person, who always has praise for his team mates.


Regarding Sky, I don't think a team can fully support a top sprinter and aim for the top of the GC at the same time......

HTC are in the business of winning sprint stages, I think team sky are looking for a different emphasis.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: GruB on 30 April, 2010, 08:28:30 pm
Found this on Sky's site :

However, the HTC-Columbia rider issued a statement the following day which read: "I want to publicly apologise for the gesture I made on the finish line of the Tour de Romandie yesterday.

"I did want to make a statement to my critics but I realise that making a rude gesture on the finish line is not the best way to do that.

"I apologise to everybody watching the race and especially the kids. I am not proud of releasing the feelings in that way.

"I hope I can redeem myself and show my feelings and passion for cycling with some exciting results in the next couple of months rather than with gestures such as the one yesterday."
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: oncemore on 30 April, 2010, 08:28:46 pm
I can't see anything to fault in his (quoted) statements linked in OP. Unless however he is very naive (which I doubt) then he surely knows that he is sending a clear signal that he wants out.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Jakob on 30 April, 2010, 11:36:46 pm
The salute was to the doubters who said he'd lost his form.

In the post race interview he said it was a message to the media, that they should think before saying things!! ;D

Hilarious.


So, if Rooney did this after scoring a goal it would be hilarious? Collingwood after scoring a ton? Or Paula Radcliffe after winning a marathon?.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: disrail on 30 April, 2010, 11:42:31 pm
No it was hilarious that Cavendish said that other people should think before speaking. He's one to talk!

Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rich753 on 30 April, 2010, 11:48:16 pm
With Cavendish it's a good rule of thumb to disregard anything he says or gestures while he has a helmet on.

By the time of his interview seemed to me that he'd already realised his gesture was neither big nor clever, but found himself having to explain it anyway.

I seem to remember Nasser Hussain making an equivalent gesture to his critics in the press room after scoring a ton, and yes I did think that was moderately amusing.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Jakob on 30 April, 2010, 11:53:00 pm
No it was hilarious that Cavendish said that other people should think before speaking. He's one to talk!



Oops! Sorry!
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rich753 on 30 April, 2010, 11:58:34 pm
He's now been pulled from the race by his team, fined by the commissaires and his own team and is acting very contrite.

Seems pretty fair.



Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Noodley on 01 May, 2010, 12:11:15 am
I like Cav  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: giropaul on 01 May, 2010, 07:58:16 am
With Cavendish it's a good rule of thumb to disregard anything he says or gestures while he has a helmet on.

By the time of his interview seemed to me that he'd already realised his gesture was neither big nor clever, but found himself having to explain it anyway.


Good rule! Sprinters can only do what they do if they are totally fired up - and almost all great sprinters are prone to saying or doing things they may regret in more measured moments. Throwing bottles/punches comes to mind, as well as unguarded comments.

Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: citoyen on 01 May, 2010, 10:55:18 am
So, if Rooney did this after scoring a goal it would be hilarious? Collingwood after scoring a ton? Or Paula Radcliffe after winning a marathon?

A couple of years ago, Gary Neville scored a winning goal for Man United against Liverpool, then charged the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of Liverpool fans.

As a Liverpool fan, I was hopping mad at the time. But on reflection, I found it hilarious. And I kind of respected him for it - it's an act of pure passion that shows how much he loves his club and how much he hates Liverpool. Which is exactly what you'd want from your players if you're a Man United fan. And if it had been the other way round, Jamie Carragher scoring and making a similar gesture to Man U fans, I would have loved every second of it.


I love Cav. I think he's brilliant for the sport. Any rider that can show as much passion for winning as him is only going to motivate young up-and-coming cyclists. Brad Wiggins has had his moments of madness too. It's the fire in their bellies that makes them winners. They can't all be St Christopher of Hoy and you've got to have some perspective about these things. By all means fine him because yes, his gesture was "inappropriate", but chucking him out of the race is an over-reaction.

It's also a hollow gesture by HTC given his overall standing in the race, and the fact that it's a relatively minor event. Would they do the same if it were the TdF and he was in green?

d.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: GruB on 01 May, 2010, 12:46:22 pm
Well reasoned input  :thumbsup: 
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: bobb on 01 May, 2010, 02:30:05 pm
What's all the fuss about? He only flicked the vees. Not the most mature thing in the world to do, but punching the air is just as much as a "Fuck you!" and he wouldn't be fined for that.

As for the football thing, if a player has been called a cnut all afternoon by away fans, I think he has every right to go and celebrate a goal right in their faces. I'd probably draw the line at Cantona style reactions to crowd abuse though  :P
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: David Martin on 01 May, 2010, 02:40:36 pm
What's all the fuss about? He only flicked the vees.

Nope, he made it pan-european by slapping his bicep as well...Multicultural he is, can hurl an insult in many languages.

..d
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: bobb on 01 May, 2010, 02:55:03 pm
What's all the fuss about? He only flicked the vees.

Nope, he made it pan-european by slapping his bicep as well...Multicultural he is, can hurl an insult in many languages.

..d

Yeah, but you know what those European types are like. They get offended by the slightest thing. They should just fuck off  ;)
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: David Martin on 01 May, 2010, 02:59:25 pm
As indicated quite unequivocally by Mr Cavendish.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Jaded on 01 May, 2010, 04:12:42 pm
What's all the fuss about? He only flicked the vees.

Nope, he made it pan-european by slapping his bicep as well...Multicultural he is, can hurl an insult in many languages.

..d

Yeah, but you know what those European types are like. They get offended by the slightest thing. They should just fuck off  ;)

Especially if they are Eastern.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: citoyen on 01 May, 2010, 04:13:24 pm
Bigot!  ;D
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: clarion on 01 May, 2010, 05:05:15 pm
Flocking over the line like that.  Where do they come from? ???
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rhys W on 01 May, 2010, 05:50:42 pm
HTC-Columbia have pulled him from the race and given his prize money to charity. That'll learn him.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: David Martin on 01 May, 2010, 10:01:08 pm
i heaed it was actually health reasons. He is allergic to hills and rain.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Wendy on 03 May, 2010, 12:52:34 pm
Jakob, is it possible that you hate Cav's arrogance so much because it's something you display yourself at times?
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 08 August, 2010, 04:54:38 pm
And the next instalment...Greipel signs for OmegaPharma-Lotto | Latest News | Cycling Weekly (http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/494750/greipel-signs-for-omegapharma-lotto.html)

Should make for some interesting 'head to heads' - not least with their respective lead out men - next year  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rhys W on 08 August, 2010, 07:16:59 pm
And we'll have a whole winter of "will Cav go to Sky" rumours.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rich753 on 09 August, 2010, 05:55:24 pm
And we'll have a whole winter of "will Cav go to Sky" rumours.

News that Renshaw is staying at HTC-Columbia suggests that Cav has no plans to move either ...

Renshaw Signs New Deal With HTC-Columbia | Cyclingnews.com (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/renshaw-signs-new-deal-with-htc-columbia)

This together with greipel moving on makes it almost certain he'll stay 9IMO anyway)
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rhys W on 09 August, 2010, 07:27:04 pm
Yes, now that his arch-nemesis Greipel has gone... still, remember all the denying about Wiggins last winter?
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 10 August, 2010, 07:34:19 pm
Well if Sky do succeed in signing him I hope they get better value for money than they got from signing Wiggo.  (I'm sure they will  :thumbsup:)
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Hot Flatus on 10 August, 2010, 07:43:09 pm
I can't see Cavendish moving, the guy has won shed loads with them and always looks content. The team is built round him, Sky haven't got so much to offer him
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: SpaceBadger on 10 August, 2010, 08:18:06 pm
I can't see Cavendish moving, the guy has won shed loads with them and always looks content. The team is built round him, Sky haven't got so much to offer him

I agree. Signing a top class sprinter isn't in keeping with Sky's aim of winning the Tour within 5 years with a British rider. Having around 5 guys in the team chase down breakaways on flat stages isn't going to get them the GC. Whether it's likely to get them more glory overall in the long run is another matter, but what I like about Dave Brailsford is that he goes 100% for a goal and doesn't accept that it's not achievable.

I think Wiggins will come good again and Cav will win many green jerseys, starting next year.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: citoyen on 10 August, 2010, 10:23:04 pm
I can't see Cavendish moving, the guy has won shed loads with them and always looks content. The team is built round him, Sky haven't got so much to offer him

I agree too. Wiggo is more of a dependent character who beenfits from the level of pastoral support a team like Sky provide, while Cav is more of a free spirit and never seems to have fitted in easily with the BC setup (I say this based on having read his book, Boy Racer) - he doesn't need Brailsford in the same way that Wiggo seems to.

d.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Hot Flatus on 10 August, 2010, 10:25:56 pm
It's a pretty boring read isn't it.

I've just read Fignons book which, for a cycling book is possibly the best one I've read.

(yours for 6 quid posted  ;) )
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: GruB on 10 August, 2010, 10:37:42 pm
I've just read Wiggins' book and it was not boring.
I have Cav's to read next.

I too hope he does not leave Columbia. 
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: JT on 10 August, 2010, 10:53:34 pm
I can't see Cav leaving HTC Columbia. Bob Stapleton's a canny businessman and he knows that Cav brings at least as much publicity as a grand tour winner would - if he could find one.

Haven't read Cav's book yet - it's on the shelf but Wiggins' book was pish apart from the chapter where he described in detail how the team pursuit works - I loved that.

Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: citoyen on 10 August, 2010, 11:01:55 pm
It's a pretty boring read isn't it.

I quite liked it, in that it was well written and had a good structure. But the content suffered from the usual shortcomings of any autobiography written by someone barely out of nappies.

d.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 11 August, 2010, 07:03:18 am
I enjoyed Cav's book.  Haven't read Wiggins'.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: JBB on 12 August, 2010, 06:14:05 pm
I don't think Cavendish would want to have Brailsford as his director sportif after he screwed his chance of a medal at the Olympics.  Wiggo was knackered after doing the individual and team pursuit and could not provide the work needed for Cav to be in a competitive  position. Brailsford admitted he knew Wiggo was knacked. Logic suggests he was more interested in getting more medals for Wiggo than using one of the team pursuiters (Thomas anyone?) to get Cavendish a medal in an event the public does not generally understand. Just mu twopennorth you understand...

Julia
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: SpaceBadger on 12 August, 2010, 09:59:00 pm
It's a pretty boring read isn't it.

I've just read Fignons book which, for a cycling book is possibly the best one I've read.

(yours for 6 quid posted  ;) )

I'll take that if it's still available? If yes, can you PM me your details please.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: bobb on 12 August, 2010, 10:04:13 pm
Cav's book was good to start with, but got a bit repetitive and boring after a while. In fact it started to annoy me towards the end.

But I agree with what others have said - why on Earth would you leave a team you're happy in and won a massive 15 stages in three tours, which puts you at #12 on the all time list of stage winners?! And still at only 25!
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rhys W on 12 August, 2010, 10:56:36 pm
Yes I suppose that's the main difference - Brad made no secret of his unhappiness over last winter.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: YahudaMoon on 12 August, 2010, 11:10:28 pm
I read the Wiggins book a few year back. If I remember correctly the first 10 pages or so were good how he describes his childhood and his life with his mother and the loss of his father to another woman who was a pro cyclist as well'
After that, the read  just goes into his cycling career and found it a little boring though some may like that kind of a read ? I think he's a little young for a autobiography ? though every one in the limelight is doing one !
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rig of Jarkness on 13 August, 2010, 07:09:32 am
I read the Wiggins book a few year back. If I remember correctly the first 10 pages or so were good how he describes his childhood and his life with his mother and the loss of his father to another woman who was a pro cyclist as well'
After that, the read  just goes into his cycling career and found it a little boring though some may like that kind of a read ? I think he's a little young for a autobiography ? though every one in the limelight is doing one !

I'm assuming that the way it works is that the impetus comes from a publishing company rather than the sportsperson themselves.  They approach the rider, says we'll hire a writer and pay you this, you just have to give the writer a bit of material and dig out some family photos.  Rider shrugs shoulders and says 'Yes, why not ?'
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: Rich753 on 18 August, 2010, 12:04:08 pm
Looks like Cav is going to be starting the Vuelta, seeking stage wins.  Guess he'll use it to sharpen for Wolrd Champs?

But also see that GB have only got three riders in the Elite Men's race? Makes it hard to get a train going!
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: citoyen on 18 August, 2010, 12:17:24 pm
Looks like Cav is going to be starting the Vuelta, seeking stage wins.  Guess he'll use it to sharpen for Wolrd Champs?

I'm sure I remember one of the commentators during the TdF mentioning that the points competition in the Vuelta was Cav's main target this year (in terms of road racing, at least), rather than the points competition in the TdF.

That would make sense, I suppose, because the timing of the Vuelta means it's better preparation for the World Champs.

d.
Title: Re: Cavendish goes off again:
Post by: SpaceBadger on 18 August, 2010, 07:06:48 pm
I think the biggest problem will be pulling back a break if there is one, rather than getting a train going. Cav's proved he can win without a train, but if there are Italians or Belgians up the road, I can't see 2 other GB riders being enough to pull them back, even if the other two are Wiggins and Millar. Other nations won't want to help pull a break back for a podium place and to see Cav in a rather fetching rainbow jersey.  :thumbsup: