Boardman on Wiggins

Unknown · June 2007

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_s ... 725865.stm

He's not the leading hope, is he? Surely Millar is a far far better bet.

And is there big public expectation?

Unknown · June 2007

I would guess he was asked specifically about Wiggins.

And there probably is a high expectation amongst people who know fk all about cycling.

Did you get planning permission for that sense of humour bypass?

Tetedelacourse · June 2007

Millar's the wrong nationality for old Chris.

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Hey little thing let me light ya candle cos a momma I'm sure hard to hannana, yesaran

NervexProf · June 2007

I heard Chris Boardman being interviewed on the 'Today' programme yesterday in the sport segment and must say he is very media savvy; mentioning upcoming hopes like Nicole Cooke and Mark Cavendish. He handled the polemic well with considered answers.

Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom

grimpeurcp · June 2007

Millar is realistically the only hope for the Prologue, Wiggins is not in the same league.

PeteinSQ · June 2007

I think that Boardman is supposed to working with Wiggins. At least I think I read that somewhere...

Unknown · June 2007

I was quite shocked at how far off the winning prolgue times Wiggins was last season at Paris-Nice, the Dauphine and TDF. I feel he's being built up quite a bit for this TDF prologie and in it might be too much pressure given his previous prologue form at pro tour level. I hope he or Millar wins, but I'd put my money on Millar, though Millar is riding clean too which I still fear a quite large number are not

________Our behaviour is a function of our experience.

gillan1969 · June 2007

pete

exactly

they will have the same agent

some fees for media appearances is on chrises mind

i listned to it...no mention of millar

regardless of his doping offence he's going to kick wiggins all over the road but is obvioulsy off some peoples x-mas card list

pretty petty...they should at least mention him albeit with the doping caveat

at least millar toook dope to get good at his job

they manage to talk about the prologue in britain and neglect to mention that one of the favouraite riders is...eh...british...and....eh...not the one they are talking about

dopes[:)][:)]

www.squadraporcini.com

K Blackwell · June 2007

Millar's served his sentence. I think he's a much better bet than Wiggins for the prologue, or road stages for that matter. I hope he pulls it off.

Brian B · June 2007

Wiggins might not even get to ride the Tour unless he does well at the dauphine.

Brian B.

sing_for_absolution · June 2007

Well there's been expectation for a couple of seasons now and apart from wins in the Circuit de Lorraine TT or the 4 Jours de Dunkerque prologue, I've not seen anything great on the road. Sorry to be so sceptical, but there's always been expectation from Wiggins to do well in particular events and it hasn't come off yet. Who remembers that 1km Giro prologue back in 2005, or last year's Dauphine/TDF prologue?

As others have said, I expect Millar to have a better chance.

Unknown · June 2007

Sunday will give us a good idea I reckon. Millar, Dave Z., Wiggins, Hincapie all at the Dauphine.

Unknown · June 2007

In his defence, he is still just 27, which is when you'd expect a rider to begin to reach his prime. His results haven't been fantastic so far in his career but he still has time. He is, lest we forget, the reigning World and Olympic pursuit champion so the talent is obviously there. It's also very doubtful that he's been competing on a level playing field for the majority of his pro career.

I hope both him and Millar do well in the prologue. A Brit winning in London would be great for the profile of the sport.

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by andyp

In his defence, he is still just 27,
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, but Tommy D is only 28 or whatever. It's not an excuse.

Either a) he just doesn't have it for the road, or b) track doesn't attract the decent talent.

Discuss.

Unknown · June 2007

Tommy D is 29 and still hasn't ridden the Tour. Wiggins has. And finished it. Personally I think this year we'll see him go a lot closer than he has before.

As for your track discussion, I see a lot of people on here bigging up Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas. Both of whom have been World Champions on the track.

Unknown · June 2007

I will be honest, I don't like track cycling and consider it B-grade (boring that is), but that's just me. And there does seem to be a big split between the road / track guys. I look at the cream on the road and they don't seem interested either (aside from big fee 6 day appearances)

The pressure on Wiggins isn't good though. Too much pressure has made some people have "weak moments" in the past.

sing_for_absolution · June 2007

Yep, which we've already seen with some ordinary performances from him in previous prologues. Ah, but who knows. Riding in London with lots of Brits screaming and cheering for him might really give him that edge.

tea is good

Unknown · June 2007

It is great to have a Brit win the prologue and take the jersey for a day or two, the tabloids write it up and it makes the TV news bulletins on the day but in the big wide world it means bugger all.

I'd far rather see one of the guys win a road stage even if he comes nowhere near wearing yellow. If Cavandish rides he must feel he has a good chance on stage one. Now that would be something to shout about.

Nobody ever got laid because they were using Shimano

angrynortherner · June 2007

Originally posted by andyp

In his defence, he is still just 27, which is when you'd expect a rider to begin to reach his prime.

How old was Millar in 2000 when he won the Prologue? I'd like to see a Brit win the prologue I just personally dislike Wiggins due to his constant whining.

sing_for_absolution · June 2007

Cavendish against Petacchi/Boonen/McEwen/Freire/Bennati and others? That'll be a big task, but if he managed to win a stage against them, then that'd be bloody brilliant.

tea is good

Keith Oates · June 2007

I think that Millar is the best chance we have of getting a winner in London and I certainly hope he produces the goods!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ride Daily, Keep Healthy

Tetedelacourse · June 2007

I don't subscribe to the piling on the pressure excuse. He's a professional sportsman. He will have more support than anyone else. He's either good enough to win the prologue or he isn't. A professional sportsman should be expected to deal with the pressure that's put on him. Look at the true giants of the road, you don't hear them whining about it. It's what they're built for. Good luck to Wiggins of course but I'd love to see Millar win it even though I suspect Dave Z will. One last thought on this - the prologue is the one stage you cannot grudge a winner for. Whoever wins it was simply the best on the day. No tactics or assistance, just hammer it.

I also agree about a stage win (any stage win). That would be something to really shout about.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey little thing let me light ya candle cos a momma I'm sure hard to hannana, yesaran

Daywalkercp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by K Blackwell

Millar's served his sentence. I think he's a much better bet than Wiggins for the prologue, or road stages for that matter. I hope he pulls it off.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'm sorry to have to disagree with you there, but Millar is a cheat and should have been banned for life as far as I'm concerned.

There's plenty of people on this forum bemoaning dope use in Pro - cycling and what should be done about it, so it's a bit hypocritical to be cheering on Millar when he's been a doper himself.

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Daywalker

I'm sorry to have to disagree with you there, but Millar is a cheat and should have been banned for life as far as I'm concerned.

There's plenty of people on this forum bemoaning dope use in Pro - cycling and what should be done about it, so it's a bit hypocritical to be cheering on Millar when he's been a doper himself.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I'd be interested to understand how implementing life bans for riders would eradicate doping from the sport. The death penalty and/or life sentences for murder don't seem to have stopped it.

The bemoaning here is about the institutionalising of doping, the riders are to a large extent victims of this.

Houllier · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by iainf72

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by andyp

In his defence, he is still just 27,
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, but Tommy D is only 28 or whatever. It's not an excuse.

Either a) he just doesn't have it for the road, or b) track doesn't attract the decent talent.

Discuss.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Possibly, but Wiggins was very closely matched with Brad McGee until McGee's recent injuries - and I don't think anyone would dismiss McGee as not being of the top level, especially at prologues

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You'll never ride alone

Daywalkercp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by andyp

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Daywalker

I'm sorry to have to disagree with you there, but Millar is a cheat and should have been banned for life as far as I'm concerned.

There's plenty of people on this forum bemoaning dope use in Pro - cycling and what should be done about it, so it's a bit hypocritical to be cheering on Millar when he's been a doper himself.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I'd be interested to understand how implementing life bans for riders would eradicate doping from the sport. The death penalty and/or life sentences for murder don't seem to have stopped it.

The bemoaning here is about the institutionalising of doping, the riders are to a large extent victims of this.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It's quite easy really, pro-cyclists get paid a lot of money to ride their bikes, once they start seeing riders being banned for life for doping they might think "hang on if I get banned I'll loose this well paid job" So banning for life would be a good incentive not to dope

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Daywalker

It's quite easy really, pro-cyclists get paid a lot of money to ride their bikes, once they start seeing riders being banned for life for doping they might think "hang on if I get banned I'll loose this well paid job" So banning for life would be a good incentive not to dope
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">So ?30000 is a lot of money? I don't think so. It's the minimum wage for a ProTour rider as laid down by the UCI.

Daywalkercp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by andyp

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Daywalker

It's quite easy really, pro-cyclists get paid a lot of money to ride their bikes, once they start seeing riders being banned for life for doping they might think "hang on if I get banned I'll loose this well paid job" So banning for life would be a good incentive not to dope
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">So ?30000 is a lot of money? I don't think so. It's the minimum wage for a ProTour rider as laid down by the UCI.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That may be the case but I bet it's a damn site more than they get stacking selves at their local supermarket

Unknown · June 2007

And stacking shelves is where they'll end up anyway if they can't keep up with the beloved peloton.

Daywalkercp · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by skut

And stacking shelves is where they'll end up anyway if they can't keep up with the beloved peloton.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If they need drugs to keep up with the peloton then happen they need to find something else to do

That was a very silly reply

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Daywalker

If they need drugs to keep up with the peloton then happen they need to find something else to do

That was a very silly reply
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">No it wasn't. Stop being so patronising.

Imagine if you'd dreamed of being a pro since you were a kid. You progress via junior racing and lots of hard training to being a very good amateur then you get spotted and a team offer you a contract. You gleefully accept it as you've achieved your dream then you discover that to compete you need to take drugs. You've sacrificed your education so have no alternative career plans and, being young and impressionable and thinking your bombproof, you succumb knowing that if you want to keep your job you have to perform.

It happens. People, who may have never raced a bike, then come along demanding life bans. [V]

Boardman on Wiggins

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