Procycling columnists
Sorry, I had to post in here because I know that nobody reads the Procycling posts. Is it just me, or does everybody find the Procycling columnists extraordinarily dull. I'm pointing the finger quite squarely at Tom Danielson, he is so so boring. I find more inspiration in my son school newsletters than what Tommy is able to dish up. And the rest are not far behind his low level diatribe. Carlos Sastre was actually quite informed and interesting, but since those heady days, we've been left with a group of personality devoid 'personalities'. Please help us. Surely, I'm not alone. Voice your opinion at the current Procycling intellect level (this includes Frankie).
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Comments
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El Pais has Pedro Horillo as columnist, and his pieces are serious bits of intelligent analysis of cycling and more, and very readable too. But then, he has an original background for a pro-cyclist, having studied philosophy..0
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Fckin' Quintana … that creep can roll, man.0
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Procycling died a death the day Robert Millar stopped writing for them. And that was a long time ago.
Anyone who remembers his explanation as to why he called his then Le Groupement teammate, Luc Leblanc "Stuart" will know just what I mean.aspra nella virtu', dolce nel sacrificio0 -
One way to improve, used by public speakers and broadcasters, is to visualize a person (real or imaginary) that you are writing or speaking to.
Maybe his prose would get more lively if he imagined he was sending letters to some best mate or a cycling groupie babe (steady tiger!) whereas at the moment he could be thinking "oh hell, I've got to do another f**king report for those people in Bath", so it's all a bit of a homework chore.0 -
The riders don't actually write them, I believe they are ghostwritten
If someone from Pro Cycling wants to confirm or deny this, please chip in.0 -
Haha, indeed... such is the time-pressured world of magazines and PR.
So, assuming the pieces aren't just ghost written from phone conversations.... lets not forget these guys are focussed athletes – they can't waste precious time reading stuff or otherwise taking an interest in the world around them if that's going to impact on their training and preparation for races.
I once saw an interview with driver Jenson Button, where he was sitting at home talking about his career, and I noticed that the interior of the house had absolutely no books in sight anywhere. Too busy travelling, test driving and racing, no doubt – and I remember a similar observation about the interior of Laurent Jalabert's house in (I think) a ProCycling article years back.
As for people like Danielson, you could argue that they have started their careers at an early age (and are still relatively young) and so simply haven't developed the communication skills and perspective that enables them to maintain an interesting sequence of pieces throughout the year, year after year.0 -
Some people are just boring. It's not about the time they have (most pro cyclists have way more down time than you and me) or the number of books they read. Their literary background would affect how they'd write, not what they'd write about, and since an editor surely goes in there with a fat red pen that's not really the point.
Danielson is clearly the most boring. "I couldn't attain my previous objective because of blah-blah-blah. My new objective will be blah-blah-blah. It's too bad because blah-blah-blah. At least this has taught me blah-blah-blah." Repeat next month when he fails miserably to attain his new objective.
My advice: get someone who has opinions, if not stories. Love Savio, though.0 -
Pedro Horillo - what a brilliant non-de-plume - does his mate Val Piti stand-in when he's busy?Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
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Fear not, chaps, changes are afoot.
As for the scurrilous claim that the columns are ghost-written, I can only assume that Kléber is taking Halloween a little too seriously.
Daniel Friebe
Features Editor
Procycling magazine0 -
Thanks for the feedback on the "Office" area, Daniel mentions plans are afoot for a regular Podcast too. 8)
It may be Halloween today but I note that's not a denial Daniel :twisted: 0 -
Danielson's page,oh brother! :roll:
Boring,boring,boring.
How much longer is the media gonna buy into the hype this guy?
I understand Procycling needs a Yank column,but why not get a rider who actually races/has something to say.
Danny Pate would be good.After all he's ridden the Ras(06),Giro and Tour(08),etc. so has experienced many highs and lows of the sport from his Espoir Worlds TT win through to his 3rd on Prato Nevoso.
Abit more grounded than the "Great White Shark" eh!!
Ok,only saw the thread over on Procycling Office now.Spend all my time here on Race,reading what you guys have to say.
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while danielson isn't the most interesting of writers, I feel it a bit wrong to slam the boy for his writing skills. I'm sure he didn't come prancing into Freibe's office asking for a column.
OTOH, I agree that Robert Millar was, is, and always will be the BEST ex-pro cyclist columnist EVER. Not only can the man write, he actualyl did REAL revies of the bikes he rode. Just compare one of his old reviews with Andreu's reviews. Frankie's stuff look like they cam striaght out of a catalog. I live Frankie, mind you, but maybe he is better off as a TV analyst/commentator where he does good work.0 -
I agree totally with bartoli. Procycling panders to the USA market and seem to forget that they are a BRITISH magazine ...how many of us bought Winning Magazine back in the 80s and it was a great mag until they started putting a American slant on it.
I remember 1 issue had 2 pages on the Giro d Italia - the whole race ?? and over the page there was 8 pages on the Coor state pro championships Yawn zzzzzz
Procycling has went down the road now. I agree about when are we going to stop going on about this boy Danielson.he does more talking than cycling. i used to read the bike reviews with Robert Millar but with Frankie Andreu i cant be arsed to read it. the amount of American related articles is killing this mag.why dont they publish a seperate mag for the USA Market.. if they mention Campy or "Fall" in the next issue it will be my last. do you think if the mag was American they would change words etc to suit the british ??0 -
At least they haven't got that man on the front cover this month :shock:
Winning was a decent mag.As was international cycle sport.Of the british mags I like pro-cycling but agree with whats been said.
It would be nice to see either Robert Millar back or maybe Sean Yates who have been their and gotthetshirt 0 -
Gianni certainly isn't boring. Molto interessante ogni mese!'Google can bring back a hundred thousand answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.'
Neil Gaiman0 -
He may not be boring,but he has just gone and signed the 1 rider I still can't understand has not been caught - Tin-Tin.
He wins the 3 Ardennes Classics in a week.Even Argentin couldn't do that in his Gewiss days.And we all know they had some good orange juice on board!
Ok,don't wanna turn this into another doping thread.
I saw Savio at the Milan Show last year.He sure is a dapper dresser alright.0 -
DanielFriebe wrote:Fear not, chaps, changes are afoot.
As for the scurrilous claim that the columns are ghost-written, I can only assume that Kléber is taking Halloween a little too seriously.
Daniel Friebe
Features Editor
Procycling magazine
Please don't say it's Millar 'cos if it is I will have to tear that page out. And don't get rid of Gianni! 'Google can bring back a hundred thousand answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.'
Neil Gaiman0 -
Come on guys Pro Cycling is still the best mag we have and i think the guys do a good job. The off season much be a real pain in the ass for them, yet at the same time it should give rise to more indepth rider interviews. These chapters from books will not do i'm afraid though.
Have to agree about the pro colomnists. Danielson and the dane are a bit boring but its not like you're gonna get a big name on board is it. Would love to see someone like Bob Roll, maybe one of the older riders of the peloton too.
Also, we love Garmin for what they stand for but jeez its getting tiresome now having them thrust down your throat. Yes i love Danny Pate, Julian Dean and i'd love to read more about how Daniel Martin is coping, but NO MORE David Millar please!?!
Someone tell Cav to get his writing pen out!
But anyways, full praise to the boys, u'r still far ahead of other UK publications!0 -
I'm not quite sure what you all expect columnists to write about. They are doing their job, after all. If I wrote about my job you'd be bored, if I had to to read about your's ditto. Just 'cos you ride as (dare I say) a hobby/pastime it's a totally different thing to doing it as a job. I do think Danielson is boring but that's because he always talks himself up but doesn't deliver - for whatever reason. Frank is much more interesting because we see how he has to cope with injury, a season not fulfilling what he wanted, getting older, seeing that life is slipping away without that one big win, trying to get a contract and so on. I found Olivia's later columns really interesting too as she came to terms with the fact that her career was coming to an end and how to deal with all that. From il bello Gianni
it's running a team with a smaller budget that doesn't get into the big races, as well as his job as a national coach. Another different perspective. Get someone like that Daniel and you'll be onto another winner! 'Google can bring back a hundred thousand answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.'
Neil Gaiman0 -
I agree that Danielson has to go.
I'd love to see something written by Chris Horner. His interviews with VeloNews and theroaddiaries.com were amazing. I've rarely heard a cyclist actually break down the startegy behind every move as well as he did. VERY interesting stuff.
Also, I wish you guys would find a replacement to write about women's cycling. It really was my only source of news for that side of the pro-cycling world and it was prety interesting.
But most important: Chris Horner! We need this guy writing for ProCycling!!0 -
My tuppence worth : I'd like to see Greg Lemond given a page every month .
He's US which would take care of that side of things for PC . He's got the kudos . He's still got the spirit . He's one of the good guys . He's got a lot to say . I'd suspect he'd likely do it for free anyway .
I like the lad . "Lick My Decals Off, Baby"0 -
Is there anyone else than me who thinks that we are missing something with all the current mags, I just find they rarely do it for me with regards to their content.
They aren't cheap now, and are really a one hour read, and then its all over, and CW is to put in bluntly a sit on the karzi job..!
I did ask the question once to one of the editors about what they put in, and couldn't they make it more interesting, and although I did get a response, it wasn't anything exciting.
I bet there are a few of us who had ideas what would be interesting other than danielsons rambling...63 miles to go and the break is up the road0 -
Good news.Its Dan Martin who is the new columnist.
Bad news is theres 8pages of armstrong
and 5 on Basso How son yee divent need gaan doon the Pit,coz thas plenty coal in the coal hoose0 -
"Not only can the man [Robert Millar] write, he actualyl did REAL revies of the bikes he rode." - Gazzetta67
Spot on Gazzetta67! Robert Millar's bike reviews conveyed an objectivity that's been missing since. Also, if I have to read once more about Mr Wust's "pampered ass", well, I don't know what...0 -
Harry182 wrote:"Not only can the man [Robert Millar] write, he actualyl did REAL revies of the bikes he rode." - Gazzetta67
Spot on Gazzetta67! Robert Millar's bike reviews conveyed an objectivity that's been missing since. Also, if I have to read once more about Mr Wust's "pampered ass", well, I don't know what...
right on. wust and andreu are nice guys, but they should be writing for a bike catalog rather than a bike review!!0
