Ever seen a swarm of cross country runners wearing 13mm spikes? That’s scary.
1 Like
I like to compare USA crit style racing to NASCAR and UCI racing to Formula 1.
Most UCI racing is about precision, marginal gains, class, etc… and USA crit racing is horsepower, crashes, fights, etc…
5 Likes
Serious question…why dont the fighters ever try to kick/slash each other with their skates? It seems like an obvious and a available weapon.
The fights just seem so comically ridiculous as to be some scripted part of the show. Makes the whole sport seem juvenile/fake. Like the Harlem Globetrotters to the NBA.
I’m not a fan of NASCAR or F1, but is that really what people think of NASCAR racing?
1 Like
Me neither…but that’s my impression. And circles…lots of left turns. Or is it right? I dont even know.
1 Like
Fighting in hockey is much tamer than it was in decades past, but to this point… this DOES happen, most times accidental, but some videos i’ve seen in the past it has looked QUITE intentional, which is VERY unfortunate as a hockey skate blade is a VERY SHARP AND DANGEROUS WEAPON.
2 Likes
Given this thread, I was a bit confused by this article in The Guardian. From what I read in this thread, the article seems a bit like a marketing puff piece?
I guess it depends where “Marketing Puff Piece” ends and informative article/interview with a prominent cyclist with a vision begins.
But I think this dichotomy is a lot of people’s problem with the Williams and Legion. They stand for something good within cycling. Bringing wider attention to racing, making it ‘cool’, promoting diversity, outreach in marginalized communities, etc etc. But they also are hot headed, are quick to assign blame, become defensive when criticized and race a bit aggressively.
I think overall they are a net benefit to the sport and many of the things they get criticized for are things that lots of other racers do but they just aren’t under the microscope in the same way.
7 Likes
Seems like they’re a little more “in your face” than “under the microscope.” But it’s probably a lot of both.
1 Like
Yea I mean that’s why I MYSELF wouldnt do it. But I also wouldnt think to start punching people in the middle of a game either. I guess if they feel the need to fight…but not the need to actually defend themselves fully…it really is just theatrics. Hence why it strikes me as similar to pro wrestling.
I mean…if someone attacked me in an alley while I was wearing ice skates…I’d be trying to decapitate them with the skates…
I think Happy Gilmore tried that.
These days, IMO, this is exactly what it is… it’s theatrics for the fanbase as many fans still like that part of the game, which has now taken a backseat to more wide open and faster play. Unless there is a goalie or star player involved, most fights these days consist of a couple guys dropping gloves, throwing a few punches (that rarely land) and pull each others sweaters off. Then the officials step in and break it up… it’s really nothing like it was 20 years ago, but it still gives the fans something to cheer about…
Fighting isnt going anywhere in hockey, but its nothing like it was 15 years ago. Its theatrics, its accountability for cheap shots, its answering unwritten, but very well known, rules. That said, speed and skill are making “the goon” a thing of the past. The enforcer used to be a feared and respected guy on the team…now hes turning into the grocery stick on the bench
1 Like
Just watched the Tulsa Tough races. Seems that the Legion “tactics” are even present in the women’s fields. That move in Blue Dome was hilariously egregious and the rider rightfully got relegated. Just Legion doing Legion things again. Spoiled children racing bikes.
1 Like
I don’t understand why there’s not been much official reprimands for their actions.
Sure it brings eyes on your event but if I had to drive hours to race only to be brought down/hit/bike stomped on as a amateur competitor I’d not bother. Sure racing is fun but after a while racing against unstable children looses the appeal, enough people pulling out and your race no longer exists.
2 Likes
It’s not high level pro cycling. What is some local usa cyclling official really going to do even if they see it happen in real time? There’s no jury reviewing footage like in the Tour de France. Is the USA Cycling home office in Colorado Springs really going to do an investigation over a tantrum in lycra incident?
1 Like
Doesn’t need one, it’s all over Instagram and (I presume) Twitter, just seems easy enough if you’re putting on a good sized event to just not invite them. If any one ask you can just say here’s exhibit a,b,c through to z.
2 Likes
You are presuming there is some structure to adjudicate this matter based on Instagram.
Maybe the promoter could ban a team. I’m not sure. Does USA cycling even allow that? What does the rule book say? It’s probably race specific as I’m sure a local race official can’t give a rider any kind of long term ban to a rider. Is USA Cycling going to look at an incident on Instagram and take a rider’s license away for some period of time? Or ban a whole team for the actions of one incident, one rider?
I’d say no.
I guess I am presuming a lot. I just cannot fathom how stamping on a bike hasn’t had any repercussions.
6 Likes
Someone should meme that!
1 Like