2016 Worlds....Qatar

nweststeyn

RoadPainter wrote:

OCDuPalais wrote:

Spent 6 weeks in Qatar this time last year and can state that it is, without doubt, the sh!test place I have ever cycled. It has NO redeeming features. The temperature did not dip below 33c in that entire time - and I mean at any point; day or night. Amongst others, I was working with some Indians, Afghans, Iranians and Australians and they were ALL banging on about the dreadful heat...

The deal has been done for the 2016 Worlds, so I guess it's too late to move them...
The landscape is utterly barren... and culturally/spiritually it felt like being in Western film set or a theme park, where if you peer round the back, you'll see the workmen hoisting pulleys and operating great big façades...

The only reason anyone goes there is if they're being paid.

Unless the price is right, I'll never go there again out of principle.

This is totally incorrect. You clearly have enough bile about the place to put together a decent argument, so why include ridiculous statements like that?

Yeah... I know quite a lot of people who have gone to Qatar without being paid!

They were all visiting family who are out there because theyre getting paid.

ocdupalais

RoadPainter wrote:

OCDuPalais wrote:

Spent 6 weeks in Qatar this time last year and can state that it is, without doubt, the sh!test place I have ever cycled. It has NO redeeming features. The temperature did not dip below 33c in that entire time - and I mean at any point; day or night. Amongst others, I was working with some Indians, Afghans, Iranians and Australians and they were ALL banging on about the dreadful heat...

The deal has been done for the 2016 Worlds, so I guess it's too late to move them...
The landscape is utterly barren... and culturally/spiritually it felt like being in Western film set or a theme park, where if you peer round the back, you'll see the workmen hoisting pulleys and operating great big façades...

The only reason anyone goes there is if they're being paid.

Unless the price is right, I'll never go there again out of principle.

This is totally incorrect. You clearly have enough bile about the place to put together a decent argument, so why include ridiculous statements like that?

You say this is totally incorrect and tell me I'm being ridiculous, but don't say why.

pb21

Milton50 wrote:

Why are the people who run sport always the most egregious morons you could possibly imagine.

I dont think they are morons, more sociopathic, at least much more so than 'average'. Pretty sure people in positions of power will have this tendency more than others.

Paul 8v

Thought I'd just give them the benifit of the doubt and see if there were any hills at all in Qatar.

No

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Qatar_Topography.png

Must have been a nice big brown envelope landed on the door mat of the UCI that day!

RichN95.

andyp wrote:

Qatar were the only candidate for the 2016 Worlds. If you're all going to sit and complain why not be proactive and ask BC why they didn't consider hosting it?

Not only that but many people who are criticising the UCI's descision to take Qatar's money will also be the ones demanding that they support women's cycling, prop up failing Spanish races and do more doping testing.

Some people need to stop thinking that sports administration is some sort of utopian idyll where money grows on trees and compromises are never made.

thomthom

andyp wrote:

Qatar were the only candidate for the 2016 Worlds. If you're all going to sit and complain why not be proactive and ask BC why they didn't consider hosting it?

No, they weren't.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/norway- ... mpionships

pottssteve

I heard it's costing Limburg around 12 million euros to run this year's Worlds. Projections are that thay will make that back, and more.

The figure I heard for the Qatar bid was around double that.......

liquor box

Tom Butcher wrote:

Cav should be happy anyway.

He will be busy with the Omnium in Rio

RoadPainter

OCDuPalais wrote:

RoadPainter wrote:

OCDuPalais wrote:

Spent 6 weeks in Qatar this time last year and can state that it is, without doubt, the sh!test place I have ever cycled. It has NO redeeming features. The temperature did not dip below 33c in that entire time - and I mean at any point; day or night. Amongst others, I was working with some Indians, Afghans, Iranians and Australians and they were ALL banging on about the dreadful heat...

The deal has been done for the 2016 Worlds, so I guess it's too late to move them...
The landscape is utterly barren... and culturally/spiritually it felt like being in Western film set or a theme park, where if you peer round the back, you'll see the workmen hoisting pulleys and operating great big façades...

The only reason anyone goes there is if they're being paid.

Unless the price is right, I'll never go there again out of principle.

This is totally incorrect. You clearly have enough bile about the place to put together a decent argument, so why include ridiculous statements like that?

You say this is totally incorrect and tell me I'm being ridiculous, but don't say why.

I've been there and I didn't get paid to go. Saying the reason "anyone" does anything is ridiculous, isn't it? Do you know people from a wide enough spectrum of backgrounds to know different motivations for going?

morstar

Richmond Racer wrote:

morstar wrote:

This is a great choice for developing our sport globally!

Are you being ironic?

Yes. It's a shocking idea.

Crawlinguphills

RoadPainter wrote:

OCDuPalais wrote:

RoadPainter wrote:

OCDuPalais wrote:

Spent 6 weeks in Qatar this time last year and can state that it is, without doubt, the sh!test place I have ever cycled. It has NO redeeming features. The temperature did not dip below 33c in that entire time - and I mean at any point; day or night. Amongst others, I was working with some Indians, Afghans, Iranians and Australians and they were ALL banging on about the dreadful heat...

The deal has been done for the 2016 Worlds, so I guess it's too late to move them...
The landscape is utterly barren... and culturally/spiritually it felt like being in Western film set or a theme park, where if you peer round the back, you'll see the workmen hoisting pulleys and operating great big façades...

The only reason anyone goes there is if they're being paid.

Unless the price is right, I'll never go there again out of principle.

This is totally incorrect. You clearly have enough bile about the place to put together a decent argument, so why include ridiculous statements like that?

You say this is totally incorrect and tell me I'm being ridiculous, but don't say why.

I've been there and I didn't get paid to go. Saying the reason "anyone" does anything is ridiculous, isn't it? Do you know people from a wide enough spectrum of backgrounds to know different motivations for going?

To be fair I have lived and worked in both Dubai and Doha. While Dubai was fake and Disney Land for adults, I knew plenty of people who looked for jobs there as they wanted to live there, not because they were paid huge money. EVERYONE I knew in Doha was there because they were being paid large sums of money, none of us had gone because we thought 'hmmmmm Doha, nice place to live, must look for a job there.' We all did it as we were going to end up going home financially better off. I wasnt a cyclist there, but then even cyclists I knew there didnt cycle due to the lunatic drivers and insane heat. There is nothing to do beside play golf, hang out at the beach (only a private beach though because the public one's are holes) and shop. Oh and annoy an Arab and you are in a world of pain. Even if he goes the wrong way round a round about drunk and crashes into you, its you thats going to get arrested. Nice.

I went to an exhibition match between England and Brazil, it took me two hours to get near the stadium and had to walk the last few miles, and I left with 70 minutes gone, yet it still took me 4 hours to get home.

But yes, its a fantastic venue for the football World cup and the cycling worlds. Featureless, moral-less, soul-less and corrupt. Suits the UCI down to the ground.

ocdupalais

RoadPainter wrote:

OCDuPalais wrote:

RoadPainter wrote:

OCDuPalais wrote:

The only reason anyone goes there is if they're being paid.

Unless the price is right, I'll never go there again out of principle.

This is totally incorrect. You clearly have enough bile about the place to put together a decent argument, so why include ridiculous statements like that?

You say this is totally incorrect and tell me I'm being ridiculous, but don't say why.

I've been there and I didn't get paid to go. Saying the reason "anyone" does anything is ridiculous, isn't it? Do you know people from a wide enough spectrum of backgrounds to know different motivations for going?

If I said "The only reason anyone goes there, in my experience, is if they're being paid." - would that satisfy you? Is that no longer ridiculous?
I actually think you quibbling with me over a generalisation I made based on my experience is a bit ridiculous - it was a generalisation, after all - but each to their own and all that. If everyone were to put a proviso after every statement they made on this forum it could start to read like a lengthy legal document.
As I mentioned previously, I was in Qatar with people from all manner of countries and backgrounds - in a variety of capacities (I could list their nationalities and jobs if you wish), and they all had only one "motivation(s) for going"; they were getting paid. You are genuinely the first person I've encountered who claims to have been to Qatar in a non-paid/work related capacity.

But more importantly, I'd say the pertinent questions of this thread are:

Given the current question mark over the integrity of the UCI, are we to accept that the decision to host the 2016 Worlds in Qatar had anything to do with cycling's best interests, other than they are getting paid (and talking of integrity, the Qatari sporting representatives are hardly viewed in the best light at the moment - http://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/bin-h ... GB-Y0JAQqY )?

And, in response to

RichN95 wrote:

many people who are criticising the UCI's descision to take Qatar's money will also be the ones demanding that they support women's cycling, prop up failing Spanish races and do more doping testing.

Some people need to stop thinking that sports administration is some sort of utopian idyll where money grows on trees and compromises are never made.

At what point do you say to the "compromises" - "f*ck off, you're having a laugh now - stop taking the p!ss!" to the governing body of the sport you love?
The UCI gets paid wherever the Worlds go: Norway's not a poor country - could they not have upped their bid?

Richmond Racer

from the wording in
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/norway- ... mpionships

doesnt sound like it was a question of Norway upping their bid, and spending a little more of their oil revenues for the chance of seeing Eddy Boss take gold on home soil. Qatar were going to get it come hell or high water (tho not much of the latter in Qatar admittedly)

pottssteve

Either way, I know where I'd rather watch it.......

LangerDan

The last time it was held in Norway,I seem to recall it pissed rain, was generally cold and miserable and riders were sliding all over the place.

Oh - and Lance won, so everything that's wrong in cycling now can be traced back to the Norwegians.

Just because Qatar is patently not the place for the Worlds doesn't automatically mean that Norway is. The average temperature for September is a balmy 12 degrees.

Abdoujaparov

Rick Chasey wrote:

Cross winds FTW.

Would be bloody great if it was windy....

In Qatar they get a weather phenomenon called a Shamal Wind - a strong north-westerly that carries sand hundreds of miles down to the Persian Gulf and has been known to strip paint from cars due to the sand-blasting effect :shock:

thomthom

And in a circuit of 10-15 laps we would get just about no winds or predictable parts with winds. And the latter would just provide fights for position on the those particular parts = crashes. And do I have to mention the even bigger advantages than normal when having 9 riders instead of 3 under the mentioned circumstances?

liquor box

If you had the amount of money that is in Qatar could you "make a hill" that would have an effect? Or build an uphill sprint at the end of a race?

By my best guess you would need a hill of a minimum of 104m high (thats a lot of soil!) this would be able to provide a 1.8km climb at 6%.

Maybe digging a hole would work better than building up

Is there any mining in the middle east? or just drilling?
Why not run a road into an open cut mine and create an awesome hill climb?

liquor box

Another option that could be bought with Oil money would be to have the longest Cobble Stone section in a race anywhere in the world. What about a good 5km stretch to sort out the men from the boys, and also whose equipment is the best

RoadPainter

OCDuPalais wrote:

RoadPainter wrote:

OCDuPalais wrote:

RoadPainter wrote:

OCDuPalais wrote:

The only reason anyone goes there is if they're being paid.

Unless the price is right, I'll never go there again out of principle.

This is totally incorrect. You clearly have enough bile about the place to put together a decent argument, so why include ridiculous statements like that?

You say this is totally incorrect and tell me I'm being ridiculous, but don't say why.

I've been there and I didn't get paid to go. Saying the reason "anyone" does anything is ridiculous, isn't it? Do you know people from a wide enough spectrum of backgrounds to know different motivations for going?

If I said "The only reason anyone goes there, in my experience, is if they're being paid." - would that satisfy you? Is that no longer ridiculous?
I actually think you quibbling with me over a generalisation I made based on my experience is a bit ridiculous - it was a generalisation, after all - but each to their own and all that. If everyone were to put a proviso after every statement they made on this forum it could start to read like a lengthy legal document.
As I mentioned previously, I was in Qatar with people from all manner of countries and backgrounds - in a variety of capacities (I could list their nationalities and jobs if you wish), and they all had only one "motivation(s) for going"; they were getting paid. You are genuinely the first person I've encountered who claims to have been to Qatar in a non-paid/work related capacity.

But more importantly, I'd say the pertinent questions of this thread are:

Given the current question mark over the integrity of the UCI, are we to accept that the decision to host the 2016 Worlds in Qatar had anything to do with cycling's best interests, other than they are getting paid (and talking of integrity, the Qatari sporting representatives are hardly viewed in the best light at the moment - http://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/bin-h ... GB-Y0JAQqY )?

And, in response to

RichN95 wrote:

many people who are criticising the UCI's descision to take Qatar's money will also be the ones demanding that they support women's cycling, prop up failing Spanish races and do more doping testing.

Some people need to stop thinking that sports administration is some sort of utopian idyll where money grows on trees and compromises are never made.

At what point do you say to the "compromises" - "f*ck off, you're having a laugh now - stop taking the p!ss!" to the governing body of the sport you love?
The UCI gets paid wherever the Worlds go: Norway's not a poor country - could they not have upped their bid?

Fair enough, might seem a bit ridiculous, but I know hundreds of people who've gone to Qatar and not one who's gone for money. I guess I see a different type of person to you! Oh to get money to go there, I thought it was lovely around the Corniche and the quiet markets. Maybe not so good for longer stays.

While people talk about Qatar & the football World Cup, what about Russia? Roman Abramovich got criticised by the Kremlin for spending his money at an English club, Chelsea stopped spending, he seemed to have nothing to do with their bid but suddenly appears at centre of their delegtaion for vote, Russia wins, Chelsea start spending again & Kremlin no longer critical.

When did British Cycling last bid for the Worlds? Why haven't we put a bid in? Surely it'd be a great opportunity to drive the growth of cycling here?

corona

Yaaay . Just noticed this, recon I may be the only one who is happy, along with five or six others I regularly cycle with.

I've been here 10 years, if I last another 10 I'll see the worlds and the Football world cup,I also heard a rumour that they were trying to start the TDF in a few years time.

BTW if I wasn't getting paid I wouldn't be here.

thomthom

corona wrote:

BTW if I wasn't getting paid I wouldn't be here.

Sounds promising

ilm_zero7

Rick Chasey wrote:

Cross winds FTW.

Would be bloody great if it was windy....

it almost always is !