Thanks for the awesome post Ben, condolences for the crash out although this is certainly a silver lining for us readers! Looking forward to Lygon Street tomorrow!
Beagle
· 2 months ago
Great post! I think I've learned more about cycling in 6 months reading this blog...than in all the years I've followed cycling. I used to think that the winner was the strongest, then I thought it was the smartest, then I thought it was the one with the best team...now I know it's the one who's willing to hide in a bush and be pissed on in order to win.
pete
· 2 months ago
thanks for the "tip", im blaming my parents for now never being able to cheat in a bike race !! looking forward to todays crit, hope the rain holds out and darren or dean can bring home the spoils of war
Pete
· 2 months ago
Ha! Terrific post! Thanks for the advice!
Jon
· 2 months ago
Great post Ben and commiserations for the crash.
Justin
· 2 months ago
Hahah! Some great insights into the PRO world there... Love it - thanks a bunch Ben, hope you're back on the pushy again soon!
Tommy P
· 2 months ago
CT, for all these 'tactics' and much, much more, you could have just consulted our cuddly friend Mo.
Kouros
· 2 months ago
I've never really understood why people feel the need to cheat in sporting events. You're either good enough, or you're not. How low must your self worth be to want to fool anyone - including yourself - that you are good at something you are not. It's pathetic.
cyclingtips
· 2 months ago
I agree that at our level it's bad form to cheat at our level, but at the professional level it's the difference between having a job and being left behind. The amount of pressure put on athletes to perform is enormous. There's up to 200 riders in these races and there can only be one winner. It's much more than a sport at the professional level.
When money is involved there are many facets of society bend the rules to get ahead (do you have any idea how often corporations cheat to win the deal, get the better price, beat the competition, etc?). Not many people can claim they're above it.
Imagine if you're from some 3rd world country and your only options are to win or to be left in poverty. I don't think it's a question of low self-worth as you say.
I don't condone cheating however I can see the other side of it. Dismissing it as pathetic and having a low self-worth is a bit simplistic when we're talking about professional sports.
jim-bob
· 2 months ago
i can't stand ppl that bend the rules in crits. Fair enough if you are held up by a crash or involved in a crash. But pretending to crash or have a mechanical when your struggling, then re-joining at the front and dropping a whole bunch of wheels 'till ur out the back again is just pathetic. Wheel-droppers are bad enough let alone cheating wheel-droppers. anyway a very insightful and entertaining post!!
All Comments
When money is involved there are many facets of society bend the rules to get ahead (do you have any idea how often corporations cheat to win the deal, get the better price, beat the competition, etc?). Not many people can claim they're above it.
Imagine if you're from some 3rd world country and your only options are to win or to be left in poverty. I don't think it's a question of low self-worth as you say.
I don't condone cheating however I can see the other side of it. Dismissing it as pathetic and having a low self-worth is a bit simplistic when we're talking about professional sports.