Why do you watch professional cycling?

tailwindhome

As I posted on the Clenbuterol thread, I watch cycling assuming that the riders I'm watching are clean and what I'm watching is 'real'. This may be a naive point of view but I really don't see any point watching otherwise.

That is not to say that I think cheating doesn't go on, but I assume each rider is clean until proven otherwise.

This poster sums up my thoughts perfectly

Bakunin wrote:

What happens now?

He is done, his reputation is destroyed, and he joins the pantheon of the pathetic. His exciting riding style means nothing -- he is a liar and a cheat.

I wanted him to be clean. He's not and he's gone.

If you believe these riders to be cheating, why watch?

Pokerface

I believe that ALL the riders are cheating - which levels the playing field to some extent. So it's still fun to watch. And I like to see the pretty pictures of nice bikes.

dougzz

Because sport is an escape from the day to day crap of life. Cycling may involve more (or less) cheating than other sports, but it's not like any sport is free of cheating, you can call it professionalism or whatever you like, but it's there in all sports.

afx237vi

dougzz wrote:

Because sport is an escape from the day to day crap of life. Cycling may involve more (or less) cheating than other sports, but it's not like any sport is free of cheating, you can call it professionalism or whatever you like, but it's there in all sports.

Yeah, this.

I don't believe all riders are doping, but I'm realistic enough to believe that the majority of riders competing at the very top of the sport may not be doing so within the rules.

Does it matter to me, as a viewer? Not really. Does it make it any less "real" if riders are doping? I don't think so. I'm sure Landis's legs were hurting just as much as any clean rider when he did his thing in Morzine. It was real to me, on my sofa, watching him do it at the time, even if it takes on new meaning if you watch it nowadays.

I think when people watch sport, they do it to be "in the moment". As dougzzz said, it's an escape from the everyday. Cycling is one of the best sports in that respect. It takes you somewhere completely new each time you watch... to amazing places like the Pyrenees or the Alps or the Dolomites or the pavé of northern France. Every football pitch or rugby pitch looks the same, but with cycling you could literally end up anywhere.

With regards to doping, once the stories break, you're back out of the zone you get into while you watch. I enjoyed watching Contador battling with Schleck on the Tourmalet, but now it's two months later. I don't really care about a race I watched two months ago any more. Why? Because there are other races and new rivalries. Cycling continually refreshes itself with new riders, new teams and new races.

That probably makes me part of the problem, I know, but whatever. Doping casts a dark shadow over the sport, but let's be entirely honest, it is all part of the fascination. Cycling is a gruelling sport. Since the very early days, people have been drawn in by the superhuman efforts and the spectacular feats. People wouldn't watch if the races weren't so hard and the riders weren't so tough. At the same time people have been fascinated by the extents to which riders will go in order to keep going... what the hell are those crazy people doing to their bodies now?? People love it. Look at the number of people who were browsing this forum a few days ago. Usually there are four or five... two days ago there were dozens.

Doping has always been there and I think it will always be there to some degree. Do I condone it? No. Would I prefer cycling without it? Yes. Will I keep watching, even if riders continue to cheat? Yes, because cycling is still the most beautiful of sports.

</incoherent ramble>

Murr X

I personally see professional cycling as the pinnacle of physical sports and doping or not I greatly appreciate and respect the incredible effort that the athletes put into their jobs. As long as riders have the respect of their competitors doing what they do then I will keep watching and be a fan for life.

I also very much admire athletes in other physical sports and knowing that doping is the norm does not make me appreciate what they do any less.


Murr X

Kléber

It's still the most beautiful sport in the world and the tacticul sophistication and diversity of races, from cobbles to alpine passes means there's always plenty to follow.

Just look at the Ryder Cup, that might be played outside a stadium but the fairways are landscaped and manicured. A part from motor rallies, no other sport really reaches such corners of Europe and beyond and watching a car time trial just doesn't quite get me.

But of course it needs to be cleaned up. They aren't all doping, far from it. It's just that a good rider who cheats can become a champion whilst honest rider with the same ability just remains a good rider.

I can deal with the grey areas. But many sponsors and normal viewers can't. Some probably don't care if the doping doubles but others are turning away because of the scandal and because they can't believe what they see. Above all the riders themselves need the sport to clean up, for their health.

FJS

afx237vi wrote:

Does it matter to me, as a viewer? Not really. Does it make it any less "real" if riders are doping? I don't think so. I'm sure Landis's legs were hurting just as much as any clean rider when he did his thing in Morzine. It was real to me, on my sofa, watching him do it at the time, even if it takes on new meaning if you watch it nowadays.

+1

Buckled_Rims

History has taught us that any type of prohibation doesn't work and can't be regulated. All that happens is a secret society making huge money from the fools who crave from it.

Can you stop alcohol? No
Can you stop heroin? No
Can you stop cigarette smoking? No
Can you stop performance enhancing drugs? No.

Get the drift and get real.

The main thing is even if they take drugs, they still have to train extremely hard. Drugs enhance the training not the rider's tactics in the race. Because it's illegal we really don't know how much of an advantage these drugs give. If AC was totally clean, he'd still be a top GC rider anyhow. If drugs give such a big advantage why are there so few top GC riders. Surely their should be hundreds if not thousands.

I'll continue to watch big races. It's not as though drugs have just came into the game, is it? Mind you it might encourage a few fools to take EPO for their turbo workouts

luckao

I originally got into cycling as a distraction from (invasion) team sports. I could reel off five teams that that have my support, but none of those teams in any of those sports come anywhere near to cycling in terms of capturing my imagination.

For me, cyclists seemed to transcend what is acceptable to ask of sportsmen, and it almost borders on inhumane to see riders killing themselves to crest the sport's behemoths. It's twisted in that what causes me to watch cycling is what will no doubt compel the riders to transgress. However, I wouldn't expect any less of them, nor do I think they'd want it that way.

Cheating's an inherent part of sport, and people will seek any advantage in any setting. As sad as it is to see cycling blighted with case after case of cheating, I've come to accept that settings in all walks of life are subject to dishonourable manipulation. It's a compromise, and I'll continue to derive enjoyment from something I like so much, otherwise I might as well give up on a lot of things.

finchy

Cheating is a part of all sports. If you don't want to see cheating, don't watch sport.

I do, however, support all efforts to clean it up, and I don't believe as others do that every cyclist, or every successful cyclist, is doped. I just hope that eventually the risks of doping outweighs the benefits so that most of the peloton is clean and even those who dope are only doing it at such a low level that it can't really make any difference.

frenchfighter

afx237vi wrote:

</incoherent ramble>

No, much more than that. Excellent writing there afx. Whole heartedly agree with most of what you say and with that of the other posters.

For me, cycling is at the same time close to the followers and far away. Close because we can ride the same bikes, use the same equipment, ride the same roads, try the same tactics in our races, experience emotional highs and lows, feel pain in the legs and literally come within touching distance of the pros. Far because what they accomplish the vast majority of us never could. They remain hors norme in their feats of perserverance, pain sustained, endurance, resiliance, speed, athleticism, professionalism and passion.

Cycling is a rich sport. It has depth. It has history and stories. It has development and scientific progression.

It certainly is a beautiful sport and one I will continue to follow and take part in for as long as I can.

For those that can read French (I don't know if it has been translated) I would recommend Eric Fottorino's: Petit eloge de la bicyclette
And although not as easy reading and maybe not as interesting, but well written by someone obviously full of passion: Marc Auge's: Eloge de la bicyclette

liversedge

I watch pro cycling because;

1. it inspires me
2. it entertains me
3. it motivates me to ride
4. it sure beats the rest of the crap that's on tv

Do I really care who wins? Nope. Does doping impact any of this? Nope.

Pokerface

afx237vi wrote:

dougzz wrote:

Because sport is an escape from the day to day crap of life. Cycling may involve more (or less) cheating than other sports, but it's not like any sport is free of cheating, you can call it professionalism or whatever you like, but it's there in all sports.

Yeah, this.

I don't believe all riders are doping, but I'm realistic enough to believe that the majority of riders competing at the very top of the sport may not be doing so within the rules.

Does it matter to me, as a viewer? Not really. Does it make it any less "real" if riders are doping? I don't think so. I'm sure Landis's legs were hurting just as much as any clean rider when he did his thing in Morzine. It was real to me, on my sofa, watching him do it at the time, even if it takes on new meaning if you watch it nowadays.

I think when people watch sport, they do it to be "in the moment". As dougzzz said, it's an escape from the everyday. Cycling is one of the best sports in that respect. It takes you somewhere completely new each time you watch... to amazing places like the Pyrenees or the Alps or the Dolomites or the pavé of northern France. Every football pitch or rugby pitch looks the same, but with cycling you could literally end up anywhere.

With regards to doping, once the stories break, you're back out of the zone you get into while you watch. I enjoyed watching Contador battling with Schleck on the Tourmalet, but now it's two months later. I don't really care about a race I watched two months ago any more. Why? Because there are other races and new rivalries. Cycling continually refreshes itself with new riders, new teams and new races.

That probably makes me part of the problem, I know, but whatever. Doping casts a dark shadow over the sport, but let's be entirely honest, it is all part of the fascination. Cycling is a gruelling sport. Since the very early days, people have been drawn in by the superhuman efforts and the spectacular feats. People wouldn't watch if the races weren't so hard and the riders weren't so tough. At the same time people have been fascinated by the extents to which riders will go in order to keep going... what the hell are those crazy people doing to their bodies now?? People love it. Look at the number of people who were browsing this forum a few days ago. Usually there are four or five... two days ago there were dozens.

Doping has always been there and I think it will always be there to some degree. Do I condone it? No. Would I prefer cycling without it? Yes. Will I keep watching, even if riders continue to cheat? Yes, because cycling is still the most beautiful of sports.

</incoherent ramble>

+1 billion. Top post.

Tusher

I cannot hope to match monkey man's eloquence, but here goes-

Why do I follow pro cycling?

The shaggability factor. I mean, where else can you follow the trials and tribulations of a bunch of magnificently honed bodies in lycra, racing in (mostly) gorgeous scenery. Although this factor has only become more important to me as I hit the menopause. Can't think why. I look at the women racers now with a mixture of envy and nostalgia.

It was Robert Millar who first inspired me. And riding to work as a student nurse, I could identify with him (there was a steep 3% gradient up to the hospital). And he was a Glaswegian to boot, so could do no wrong. I was an avid follower of the Milk Race although now I would be hard pressed to remember a single race, and then Channel 4's Tour coverage. I blame McEwan for my infatuation with sprinters- it was the year there were no British riders at all, and he seemed to be interviewed every night. I love sprinters. Testosterone packed fish wives all.

And it was a minority sport- I'm thrilled that more people now follow it, and the internet has enriched both my knowledge and enjoyment of it, but the days when we waited for Cycling Weekly to find results, or the joy when chancing upon a book about cycling cannot be matched.

Has no-one mentioned the gossip? Pro cycling is the best soap opera around. Yes, there are stars, but only a handful of them are well-paid, and none appear brainwashed into banal PR speak. Cycling is unlikely ever to become the ghastly, odious, all-consuming, finance-fixated beast that is football. Or tennis. Or golf. I've never been able to go to a race, but the accessibility to fans is part of the charm. No coughing up for an expensive season ticket here.

And then there's the history.

Do I mind if they dope? Yes, I do actually, but I'm a realist. It's a tough sport.

It's the most beautiful, perfect sport.

jimmythecuckoo

I do begin to wonder why again...

ms_tree

I like watching the races pan out - the tactics, the way people ride. The colours the scenery, the gossip, the intrique, those I hate, those I like, even occassionally love. Does it bother me that they cheat? Unfortunately there are people who cheat in all walks of life just to get one better than the rest. I just worry that they are harming themselves to get an edge with complete disregard for the rest of their life. I just feel sorry that some people feel that is the only way to win. I belief things are getting better and that the stict controls are weeding out the wrong'uns.

mattsy666

It's the perfect mix of sport and fashion ... F1 is too much vroom vroom to cut it (unless you are a lazy son of a b1tch) ... Most of us have strutted our bikes and kit around town hoping/knowing we have an audience .. Pro cycling has just the right level of physical and visual aspiration to draw you in ... Ask any italian ...

Scrumple

I don't as a rule, as it is incredibly dull.

It only becomes interesting for me when there are all the big names there, and even then it is only the monster hills, and the last bit that are remotely worth watching.

As a tv spectator sport it sucks. Unless there is a Brit with a chance, or the TDF.

Scrumple

And, let's face it, they are really a buch of scrawny dweebs with big thighs.

The bikes may be hot, those on them aren't exactly box office.

I ride to enjoy, and unlike most other spors I have ever played and done well in cycling on tv is not for me. Up there with horse racing and snooker.

cajun_cyclist

The Peloton has it's problems but I look beyond the riders really, The Tour says it's summer, the scenery is magnificent, riding by a field of flowers and it has a rich history.

RichN95.

Scrumple wrote:

And, let's face it, they are really a buch of scrawny dweebs with big thighs.

The bikes may be hot, those on them aren't exactly box office.

I ride to enjoy, and unlike most other spors I have ever played and done well in cycling on tv is not for me. Up there with horse racing and snooker.

Why are you on this forum then?

andyrac

It's a bloody fantastic sport, that has it all! Different times of the year mean different things; early-mid spring Paris-Nice and the classics, May means the Giro, June means the Dauphine, July is Le Tour, August is the Eneco Tour , the late summer and la Vuelta, then the WC's, and finally Lombardy/Paris-Tours.

No, it's not perfect, and it does have it's problems - but at least we know that. Other sports won't even accept their problems.....particularly the doping issue.

Scrumple

RichN95 wrote:

Scrumple wrote:

And, let's face it, they are really a buch of scrawny dweebs with big thighs.

The bikes may be hot, those on them aren't exactly box office.

I ride to enjoy, and unlike most other spors I have ever played and done well in cycling on tv is not for me. Up there with horse racing and snooker.

Why are you on this forum then?

meh??

I'm here because I said in the post above, I RIDE. I enjoy participating, and learning, and purchasing.

I love the sport, just not too keen on the videos. I like the Smiths a lot - but watching Morrissey in some of his videos makes my toes curl. Some are ok. Same as cycling. As music it is great, but the 6 hours of warm up to the main act can get dull. Just being honest.

I have never seen cycling on tv on bike radar's forum? Quit your blither!

RichN95.

Scrumple wrote:

RichN95 wrote:

Scrumple wrote:

And, let's face it, they are really a buch of scrawny dweebs with big thighs.

The bikes may be hot, those on them aren't exactly box office.

I ride to enjoy, and unlike most other spors I have ever played and done well in cycling on tv is not for me. Up there with horse racing and snooker.

Why are you on this forum then?

meh??

I'm here because I said in the post above, I RIDE. I enjoy participating, and learning, and purchasing.

I love the sport, just not too keen on the videos. I like the Smiths a lot - but watching Morrissey in some of his videos makes my toes curl. Some are ok. Same as cycling. As music it is great, but the 6 hours of warm up to the main act can get dull. Just being honest.

I have never seen cycling on tv on bike radar's forum? Quit your blither!

By 'this forum', I mean the Pro Race forum. There are plenty of people who ride, even race, post on other parts of this forum, and ignore the Pro side completely. They don't post on this forum. Why do you blither on, if you have no interest?

sonny73

afx237vi wrote:

dougzz wrote:

Because sport is an escape from the day to day crap of life. Cycling may involve more (or less) cheating than other sports, but it's not like any sport is free of cheating, you can call it professionalism or whatever you like, but it's there in all sports.

Yeah, this.

I don't believe all riders are doping, but I'm realistic enough to believe that the majority of riders competing at the very top of the sport may not be doing so within the rules.

Does it matter to me, as a viewer? Not really. Does it make it any less "real" if riders are doping? I don't think so. I'm sure Landis's legs were hurting just as much as any clean rider when he did his thing in Morzine. It was real to me, on my sofa, watching him do it at the time, even if it takes on new meaning if you watch it nowadays.

I think when people watch sport, they do it to be "in the moment". As dougzzz said, it's an escape from the everyday. Cycling is one of the best sports in that respect. It takes you somewhere completely new each time you watch... to amazing places like the Pyrenees or the Alps or the Dolomites or the pavé of northern France. Every football pitch or rugby pitch looks the same, but with cycling you could literally end up anywhere.

With regards to doping, once the stories break, you're back out of the zone you get into while you watch. I enjoyed watching Contador battling with Schleck on the Tourmalet, but now it's two months later. I don't really care about a race I watched two months ago any more. Why? Because there are other races and new rivalries. Cycling continually refreshes itself with new riders, new teams and new races.

That probably makes me part of the problem, I know, but whatever. Doping casts a dark shadow over the sport, but let's be entirely honest, it is all part of the fascination. Cycling is a gruelling sport. Since the very early days, people have been drawn in by the superhuman efforts and the spectacular feats. People wouldn't watch if the races weren't so hard and the riders weren't so tough. At the same time people have been fascinated by the extents to which riders will go in order to keep going... what the hell are those crazy people doing to their bodies now?? People love it. Look at the number of people who were browsing this forum a few days ago. Usually there are four or five... two days ago there were dozens.

Doping has always been there and I think it will always be there to some degree. Do I condone it? No. Would I prefer cycling without it? Yes. Will I keep watching, even if riders continue to cheat? Yes, because cycling is still the most beautiful of sports.

</incoherent ramble>

Another +1 and as others have said a truely top post there afx.

Pross

Another +1 to AFX and most importantly I watch it cos I like it!

Gazzaputt

For some strange reason I find it awe inspiring.

Also I love the whole circus of tours, crits etc.

Watching a pro cycling race in person is just mind blowing I find.

Oh hardware love the the hardware.

mrushton

+ 1

Also look at guys like Gilbert. He gives it is all but no it doesn't happen and someone likes Hushovd or freire can get the win. The unpredictability is the excitement. Cavendish can be the best in theworld but he bursts into tears when he gets out of a lean patch. You don't see that too often in pro-sport. When HTC drilled that echelon in 2009 how good was that to watch.

shm_uk

I am an out and out mountain biker, and I'll admit I find riding on the road quite boring after an hour or so.

However, I always tune in to watch Pro road racing when it's on the channels I get on my Cable package.

Mainly I think it's because as a cyclist of sorts myself I can appreciate the physical abilities of the riders, covering huge distances at speed, the rate at which they can climb and maintain power for mile after mile, the bravery and acceleration of the sprinters, and so on...

Watching Contador and Schlek going head to head on that climb through the cloud and mist toward the end of this years TDF was riveting stuff, and the way some of the guys desend on those skinny slick tyres is something else.

stfc1

afx237vi wrote:

Doping has always been there and I think it will always be there to some degree. Do I condone it? No. Would I prefer cycling without it? Yes. Will I keep watching, even if riders continue to cheat? Yes, because cycling is still the most beautiful of sports.

And another +1 for afx's actually extremely coherent ramble

Bronzie

It's the perfect accompniament whilst doing the ironing (don't have to watch it with total focus all the time, but when it gets exciting you better make sure you don't burn a hole in something).

Plus what Afx said.