Did they 'hand' it to him?

I understand this will be controversial, but, the sprint didnt look too frantic by comparison to other races.


Was there some kind of gentleman's agreement to 'hand' it to Cav?

No, I dont want to believe it either, but it looked a bit relaxed to me..

Comments

  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,704

    No use permitting some prophet of doom

    To wipe every smile away?

    Life is a cabaret, old chum

    Come to the cabaret

    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,388
    edited November 10

    Didn't watch it but Crits by tradition were always "a gentleman's agreement" affairs.

    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • Cav was using Zwift a fair bit in the last few weeks ahead of this final event, but I expect that he wasn't fully challenged in the sprint.

    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,563

    The podium of the race would've been decided before the race started.

  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,491

    Of course they gave it to him, it’s the cycling equivalent of a benefit match not a serious race. At least he made it look like a serious sprint though.

  • Cannot believe we're doubting the result of a crit at the end of the season. Outrageous cynicism to even suggest people were racing against him, frankly.

  • I cant believe that the BBC website has it a victory worth reporting.

    Well, I can.

  • phreak
    phreak Posts: 2,953
    edited November 11

    Obviously the result of these crits is fixed, but I've often wondered about the business model of these events. They've often been billed as a chance for riders to fill their boots financially, so how do organisers make money (given the other discussion about how much races cost to put on and barely break even, even with riders paying to enter rather than being paid to enter). I mean I'm sure people aren't charged to watch, are they?

  • alan_a
    alan_a Posts: 1,587

    Ticket Pricing


    Sunday Race Day General Admission$8

    Sunday Trackside Viewing$68

    Weekend Premium Trackside Viewing$228

    VIP Hospitality $Kidney

  • phreak
    phreak Posts: 2,953

    So people are paying money to watch races that are largely fixed? Amazing.

  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,670

    Not only are they largely fixed, the outcomes aren't even in doubt beforehand, you already knew Cav would win this. At least wrestling knows it needs to provide a narrative, which means sometimes the baddie has to win, and they throw in surprise stuff - unexpected alliances, someone appearing from out of the crowd etc.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format
  • Andre Greipel bursting out of the crowd with a foldable chair kind of thing? Can see it catching on, tbh. Especially given some of the elbows-out sprints Cavendish has won and (more usually, and catastrophically) lost.

  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,670

    Yeah, that sort of thing. Or given tonight's "showdown" between 98 year old Mike Tyson and some twat off YouTube, a random YouTube celeb challenging Cav to a sprint for twenty gazillion Euros

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,107

    The previous crit Girmay won was so obviously fixed it was funny - if anyone hasn't seen it (can't remember if it was Japan or Singapore?) well worth looking it up.

    Roglic basically had to stop pedalling to avoid winning.

    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • No_Ta_Doctor
    No_Ta_Doctor Posts: 14,670

    I actually thought that was Cav's last "race" so was very surprised! Hadn't realised he had one more crit, so the traditional "Green jersey wins" was entirely appropriate. Roglic need those variable pressure tyres people were trying out a couple of years back, go for instant puncture pressure 😅

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format