Cavendish and Freddy Maertens

donrhummy

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id= ... /jul29news

At a post-tour criterium, tons of people were looking to get a Cavendish autograph, including the great Freddy Maertens!!

Cavendish was one of the main attractions of the race, with many fans seeking his autograph. Even Belgian cycling star Freddy Maertens was eager to have the Manxman's signature on a Columbia jersey he brought along.

When Cavendish realised who it was standing in front of him his eyes lit up. "You have a fantastic set of results, man! I want your signature on my shirt," he said.

For those of you who don't know who Maertens is, he was one of the greatest cyclists ever, and of course, Belgian. He was a 2-time World champion, he won the Vuelta in '77, taking more than half the stages: 13!! He was a 3-time green jersey in the TDF, He won 8 stages in ONE TDF, and 7 in ONE Giro! He also won a ton of big classics.

ricadus

I hope Cav gets better career and financial guidance than Maertens had.

His team burned him out then he lost much of his career earnings in dodgy investments. That, and his relatively brief period of huge success meant that he owed the taxman a lot of money but couldn't pay.

donrhummy

I agree. It really is astounding the number of pro athletes who end up penniless or near so from bad investments, scams, poor spending. I think this is the fault of the collective pro athletes in the sport. If they had an intelligent union, it would not only have a retirement fund/pension/plan, but would also provide access to financial advisors and accountants to any athletes who need it but can't afford it.

I know that most organizations/promoters fear athlete unions because they think they exist only to take their money, but they can also have other mutually beneficial purposes as well. It's just better press all-around if there are fewer former pros who are destitute.

LangerDan

donrhummy wrote:

I agree. It really is astounding the number of pro athletes who end up penniless or near so from bad investments, scams, poor spending. I think this is the fault of the collective pro athletes in the sport. If they had an intelligent union, it would not only have a retirement fund/pension/plan, but would also provide access to financial advisors and accountants to any athletes who need it but can't afford it.

I know that most organizations/promoters fear athlete unions because they think they exist only to take their money, but they can also have other mutually beneficial purposes as well. It's just better press all-around if there are fewer former pros who are destitute.

Who's in the money: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121693264451182277.html

donrhummy

LangerDan wrote:

donrhummy wrote:

I agree. It really is astounding the number of pro athletes who end up penniless or near so from bad investments, scams, poor spending. I think this is the fault of the collective pro athletes in the sport. If they had an intelligent union, it would not only have a retirement fund/pension/plan, but would also provide access to financial advisors and accountants to any athletes who need it but can't afford it.

I know that most organizations/promoters fear athlete unions because they think they exist only to take their money, but they can also have other mutually beneficial purposes as well. It's just better press all-around if there are fewer former pros who are destitute.

Who's in the money: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121693264451182277.html

Really sad given how much ASO/RCS and others make off cycling. (Not to mention how much the UCI and WADA have made)

aurelio_-_banned

donrhummy wrote:

For those of you who don't know who Maertens is, he was one of the greatest cyclists ever, and of course, Belgian.

He was also one of the biggest and most unrepentant dopers in the history of cycling!

ricadus

Who's in the money: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121693264451182277.html

"It's much more about team chemistry than having the highest-paid cyclist," says Johan Bruyneel, the director of the Astana cycling team.

Indeed!

flattythehurdler

vermooten

There was a job on the til at the gift shop at Manchester Art Gallery a few weeks ago - maybe Cav has applied?

donrhummy

Hey, I think that's Maertens' signature on Cav's jersey!!

SOURCE: http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/photo?slug=3 ... prov=getty

LangerDan

donrhummy wrote:

Hey, I think that's Maertens' signature on Cav's jersey!!

SOURCE: http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/photo?slug=3 ... prov=getty

Sastre looks like Stan Laurel!