I'm struggling to think of a better position that they could give to the news than lead item. Maybe there is a lead, lead position?
I'd imagine that any criticism of how poor the coverage has been, blah blah would do rather little for the image of cyclists in this country.
I did not comment on the position within the bulletin, and surely if one fears to criticise then one is bound to accept mediocrity?
My point is that the purpose of the news is to communicate to the wider public, people will have seen the terrestrial coverage of the past two days, even more will have seen and heard news coverage today. The sport, as a direct result of one teams efforts, is in the national spotlight.
So i'm saying that there were nice photos and some good footage of Bradders through the years, and from todays stage and presentations, there were also comments of a more political nature seeking to nudge the news agenda into positive mode before the Olympics. What there was not however, in my view at least, was an explanation of what had led up to this historic event. No reference to the unusual displays of teamwork which might help people to understand much of what happened in the race, in the context of the stage today and why this was such an acheivement
How many times have you seen the World Champion act as domestique? How many times has the Maillot Jaune been such an effective lead out man into the final straight of the Champs Elysees? These are remarkable things, things which if understood and explained might cause people to develop a litttle insight into what's been going on and might lead to them taking an interest in the sport.
These teammates, as the rest of us, have flaws. But through their clear common purpose and willingness to sacrifice their own ambitions voluntarily for the greater good they have become an indominitable force and acheived what many thought impossible.
I was inspired by the Tour, less so by some of the media coverage.