Canc Interview

2

Comments

  • OCDuPalais wrote:
    OCDuPalais wrote:
    ^^^^Totally agree with the sentiment, FF.

    I dunno, I'm fine if people like different riders or races, styles of riding, but to suggest that other people on this forum don't have passion for cycling?

    Er... That's kind of what I meant - that "passion" in/for cycling can manifest itself in many ways.
    Train spotters don't come across as the most passionate looking folk, but I bet most of them would say that they were passionate about trains...

    Yes, agreed. I was having a dig at FF. Maybe I should have quoted him, but then I'm fairly sure he doesn't read my posts anyway.
    I thought he didn't read anyones :twisted:
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,224

    Yes, agreed. I was having a dig at FF. Maybe I should have quoted him, but then I'm fairly sure he doesn't read my posts anyway.
    I thought he didn't read anyones :twisted:

    :)

    Liking the idea of blacklisting everyone so that the only posts I read are my own...

    After I've read what it is I wrote, I'll pop the radio on (with the volume off) and have a good browse of the paper (with my eyes shut)...
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    - The motorbike
    Come from the blistering pace he set on the pavées on his way to winning Paris-Roubaix.
    Are you sure that's where it comes from? ;-)
  • - Tony Montana
    After the main character of Scarface - after all Cancellara is half Swiss, half Italian.

    And I thought Tony Montana was Cuban?
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,243
    - Tony Montana
    After the main character of Scarface - after all Cancellara is half Swiss, half Italian.

    And I thought Tony Montana was Cuban?

    Foreigners.

    All the same. Look filthy and don't wash ;).





    Canc is mega though. Put him with any kind of form in a reasonably flat 1 dayer and watch him change the nature of the race pretty much on his own.
  • Foreigners.

    All the same. Look filthy and don't wash ;).

    What, like you?
    Canc is mega though. Put him with any kind of form in a reasonably flat 1 dayer and watch him change the nature of the race pretty much on his own.

    Don't really agree with that. Sure, when he does win, it is very impressive. But he doesn't actually win that much. Boonen is a better rider (even if he's not so good at knitting...)
  • oh god, all this talk is getting me excited AGAIN for Spring
  • in the meantime - and I appeciate this has toot to do with Fabs - but what's this about Phil Gil off to do TDU? Is it the lure of the obligatory shot of rider holding a joey?
  • in the meantime - and I appeciate this has toot to do with Fabs - but what's this about Phil Gil off to do TDU? Is it the lure of the obligatory shot of rider holding a joey?

    Isn't Andy Schleck down for that shot?
  • ocdupalais
    ocdupalais Posts: 4,224
    in the meantime - and I appeciate this has toot to do with Fabs - but what's this about Phil Gil off to do TDU? Is it the lure of the obligatory shot of rider holding a joey?

    Where/when I grew up, the term "joey" had a very different connotation which I find hard to shake...
  • OCDuPalais wrote:
    in the meantime - and I appeciate this has toot to do with Fabs - but what's this about Phil Gil off to do TDU? Is it the lure of the obligatory shot of rider holding a joey?

    Where/when I grew up, the term "joey" had a very different connotation which I find hard to shake...
    :shock: :)
  • So I finished reading the article and it was pretty good. I particularly like the points I highlight below. Here is a Certified Heavyweight of the sport espousing exactly what I think and mention on occasion on this forum and which people try and put down. Shame some of you are just that bit too proud or clinical to immerse yourself in the world which is cycling passion.

    “Winning isn’t always important. Going there and showing that you know how to lose is important. So I went and I still won something that day.”

    Moral victories have been an increasing part of Cancellara’s diet over the past two seasons but by and large, he has digested those disappointments with equanimity, perhaps in part because they have still been washed down by a steady flow of tangible achievement.

    Rather than bemoan the heavy marking to which he has been exposed, Cancellara seems almost to revel in it, repeatedly attempting to ride his rivals off his wheel. Victories and WorldTour points may ultimately decide the small print of a riders’ contract but in Cancellara’s mind, the history books often reserve their longest chapters for the grandest gestures.

    I leave all the passion I have for this sport out there on the road. You saw that at Milan-San Remo, there were two guys on my wheel. What did I do? Pull back? No, I did what I always do – I kept going, I went for it. Even though the strongest doesn’t always win, you can’t hold back,” he says of his second place finish behind Simon Gerrans last March.

    “It’s not spettacolo,” he stresses. “I ride to my limit until I fall off my bike. That’s my spettacolo. I do everything I can to win."

    “A lot of people like to see the strongest win all the time, but we know that that sport is not like that. Cycling is not predictable, which is just as well, because otherwise it wouldn’t be such a beautiful sport.”
    There was nothing passionate, spectacular or 'Heavyweight' about towing Gerrans and Nibs to the line. Idiotic, yes; exciting, no. Would have been much better to see him attacking them.

    Certified [sur-tuh-fahyd]
    Adjective
    3. Legally declared insane
  • So I finished reading the article and it was pretty good. I particularly like the points I highlight below. Here is a Certified Heavyweight of the sport espousing exactly what I think and mention on occasion on this forum and which people try and put down. Shame some of you are just that bit too proud or clinical to immerse yourself in the world which is cycling passion.

    “Winning isn’t always important. Going there and showing that you know how to lose is important. So I went and I still won something that day.”

    Moral victories have been an increasing part of Cancellara’s diet over the past two seasons but by and large, he has digested those disappointments with equanimity, perhaps in part because they have still been washed down by a steady flow of tangible achievement.

    Rather than bemoan the heavy marking to which he has been exposed, Cancellara seems almost to revel in it, repeatedly attempting to ride his rivals off his wheel. Victories and WorldTour points may ultimately decide the small print of a riders’ contract but in Cancellara’s mind, the history books often reserve their longest chapters for the grandest gestures.

    I leave all the passion I have for this sport out there on the road. You saw that at Milan-San Remo, there were two guys on my wheel. What did I do? Pull back? No, I did what I always do – I kept going, I went for it. Even though the strongest doesn’t always win, you can’t hold back,” he says of his second place finish behind Simon Gerrans last March.

    “It’s not spettacolo,” he stresses. “I ride to my limit until I fall off my bike. That’s my spettacolo. I do everything I can to win."

    “A lot of people like to see the strongest win all the time, but we know that that sport is not like that. Cycling is not predictable, which is just as well, because otherwise it wouldn’t be such a beautiful sport.”
    There was nothing passionate, spectacular or 'Heavyweight' about towing Gerrans and Nibs to the line. Idiotic, yes; exciting, no. Would have been much better to see him attacking them.

    Certified [sur-tuh-fahyd]
    Adjective
    3. Legally declared insane

    HE does seem to do that a fair bit. Moaning that nobody would let him ride away on his own at Paris Roubaix another example.

    His Hinault act at the 2009 Tour was a bit daft too.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 18,878
    Who issues these certificates?


    One of the highlights of the year for me was Sagan telling Canc to 'catch himself on'* when going for his first stage win at the TDF





    * or the Slovakian version of that particular Belfast idiom
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
  • graeme_s-2
    graeme_s-2 Posts: 3,382
    There was nothing passionate, spectacular or 'Heavyweight' about towing Gerrans and Nibs to the line. Idiotic, yes; exciting, no. Would have been much better to see him attacking them.

    I think he was probably going flat out as it was. I'm fairly sure there were some quotes from Gerrans at the time who said he was struggling to hold Cancellara's wheel. If he'd sat up they would have been caught, at the finish line a group of 8 sprinters/rouleurs were 2 seconds behind.

    He decided he had a better chance trying to drop Nibali and Gerrans, or failing that beat them in a sprint than he did trying to win a bunch sprint and he was nearly right. Once they hit the flat run into the finish in a group of 3 I don't think Cancellara had any other card to play. If he'd sat up he'd have proved a point, but he still wouldn't have won MSR.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    edited November 2012
    Exactly Graeme.

    Whatever Abou, Cancellara is class and pure racer personified so your take on it is pretty much wrong. Once again, this sport is about money, and sponsors want to make money by selling the most products which is a direct result of the exsposure and exploits of the riders. Cancellara drilling himself into the ground and losing would sell 1000x more than Gerrans sucking and winning.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • OCDuPalais wrote:
    ^^^^Totally agree with the sentiment, FF.

    I just wish more people could grasp that "passion" in cycling doesn't necessarily only manifest itself in grandiose or theatrical attacks (even more so when they don't amount to much: i.e generally the Schlecks until Andy pulled off a blinder on Galibier!): Cancellara's move on Muur in 2010 being one prime example (most sublime "attack" in any classic in last decade?); Wiggins's epic TDF solo whilst at Cofidis being another...

    Absolutely - as Cancellara says: it is not spettacolo. Showboating for no reason can be good for a few moments exciting but in the long term is hollow. Winning and more importantly trying to win can be done with style and passion. And absolutely there can be great enjoyment to be had from less obvious actions - I take great pleasure on superb domestique work, courageous riding by unknown riders, etc.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • OCDuPalais wrote:
    ^^^^Totally agree with the sentiment, FF.

    I dunno, I'm fine if people like different riders or races, styles of riding, but to suggest that other people on this forum don't have passion for cycling?

    You miss my point. Yes there are some on here who don't have passion but tbh to post up regularly on the forum it has to be said that there is something of that nature going on.

    I refer more to people being cold, calculating, scientific, serious, unromantic etc etc then disparaging those who enjoy the side of the sport mentioned by Cancellara and rubbish that way of racing (of course it isn't all posters, just some).
    Contador is the Greatest
  • OCDuPalais wrote:
    ^^^^Totally agree with the sentiment, FF.

    I dunno, I'm fine if people like different riders or races, styles of riding, but to suggest that other people on this forum don't have passion for cycling?

    You miss my point. Yes there are some on here who don't have passion but tbh to post up regularly on the forum it has to be said that there is something of that nature going on.

    I refer more to people being cold, calculating, scientific, serious, unromantic etc etc then disparaging those who enjoy the side of the sport mentioned by Cancellara and rubbish that way of racing (of course it isn't all posters, just some).

    OK, confused now. Are you having a go at rider who have no passion. Or fans who contradict themselves. Or both. Or something else.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,243
    Foreigners.

    All the same. Look filthy and don't wash ;).

    What, like you?
    Canc is mega though. Put him with any kind of form in a reasonably flat 1 dayer and watch him change the nature of the race pretty much on his own.

    Don't really agree with that. Sure, when he does win, it is very impressive. But he doesn't actually win that much. Boonen is a better rider (even if he's not so good at knitting...)


    Not saying his talent wins a ton of races. I'm saying that that talent means he shapes the way the race plays out.
  • phreak
    phreak Posts: 2,892
    Cancellara is the best rider in the peleton imo. Had the 2010 Flanders ride on whilst training last night. That was a superb year, what with Flanders, Roubaix and the rather epic Giro.
  • Not saying his talent wins a ton of races. I'm saying that that talent means he shapes the way the race plays out.

    OK, fair 'enuff. Still think he's over rated.
  • milton50
    milton50 Posts: 3,856
    Still think you're wrong :P

    Cancellara is by no means a natural sprinter or 'finisher' of races. He spent most of the first half of his career being a specialist time trialist and concentrating on supporting the GC guys in Grand Tours. So just looking at what is in the win column doesn't tell the story. I'm sure Cavendish will end up with more 'wins' than Sean Kelly (has he already?) but Kelly is the better all round cyclist.

    Boonen's win in this year's Paris-Roubaix was actually very Cancellara-like but in general I think Cancellara can win more kinds of races, and is able to win those races more through his own ability than how the race pans out.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,243
    Not saying his talent wins a ton of races. I'm saying that that talent means he shapes the way the race plays out.

    OK, fair 'enuff. Still think he's over rated.

    For real?
  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 18,878
    Not saying his talent wins a ton of races. I'm saying that that talent means he shapes the way the race plays out.

    OK, fair 'enuff. Still think he's over rated.

    For real?
    tough crowd
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
  • Milton50 wrote:
    Still think you're wrong :P

    Says the man with the Canc avatar! :wink:

    Thing is, if you read this thread without knowing much about him, you would think he was the greatest rider ever. He's not as he doesn't win enough. Boonen is so much better a rider, not only because he has won more, but how he wins, far more varied than people give him credit for. Canc in the other hand is a bit of a one trick pony. Makes these huge, epic attacks, but that's about it, that's all he can do. And other riders/teams have figured this out as witnessed at Roubaix in 2011 or Milan San Remo this year.

    He is a very good rider. Just not as good as some would like to make out.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,243
    Canc is easily the best rouler of his generation.

    Unforutnately, being a rouler is possibly the least tactically useful if you actually want to win races yourself.

    Thing is, with Canc, because he's SO much better in that respect, he's still pretty dangerous and wins big big races despite the fact he's basically a rouler.

    I mean, when he cared about TTing he was probably the best TTer we've seen since Indurain, certainly top 5 ever, and that he's won 3 of the 5 monuments is testament to his mega rouler talent.
  • I mean, when he cared about TTing he was probably the best TTer we've seen since Indurain, certainly top 5 ever, and that he's won 3 of the 5 monuments is testament to his mega rouler talent.

    Still waiting for him to win the other two though...
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,243
    He weighs a good 80+ kilos.

    He's never gonna win an Ardenne 1 dayer or Lombardi.
  • He weighs a good 80+ kilos.

    He's never gonna win an Ardenne 1 dayer or Lombardi.

    o_rly.jpg
    I think he'd have to lose plenty of weight, but I wouldn't put it past him.

    viewtopic.php?f=40002&t=12692214&hilit=cancellara+liege