CyclingTips - Latest Comments in Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Jakes — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:12:33 -0000

I hear both sides of the story but I cannot help but wonder how Bos gets right up next to Impey if he was being so badly squeezed? Even the rider in front of Bos is closer to the barrier at the time of the incident.

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Mohammed Arie — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:54:03 -0000

He should not have grabbed that shirt, on the other hand he was pushed into the fence so it is possible he just panicked, it is all too human to make a mistake then... I think we should give Theo Bos the benefit of the doubt.

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Don — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:59:57 -0000

Given that the guy who led the Canadians in penalty minutes this season earned approx $850,000 USD, Theo should def change sports.

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Martelino — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:32:44 -0000

@Tim. Of course it's just your view and that's exactly why you shouldn't write "That was definitely a deliberate act", but use words like "in my view/opinion". Just a way to keep things clear.

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Theo's comment from his websit — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:54:06 -0000

The reactions to the crash in the Tour of Turkey are no laughing matter. On Youtube you can see how I seem to intentionally cause a crash. Even Lance Armstrong makes it known that I should be suspended for a long time. A reaction which I fully understand after seeing the images and hearing the accompanying commentary.

Of course I also watched them myself, over and over. It is difficult to see in the view from above, it seems as though I pull him off his bike. However, I am completely boxed in there while being pushed into the barriers on the left and, as a reflex, the one thing I do is to make an ultimate attempt trying to keep him away from me. At that moment the only option, precisely to prevent the crash. I think I then hit a barrier foot with my front wheel and go crashing down immediately, together with Impey.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I would never intentionally take the risk to cause a crash this way. Why should I: I take myself out as well. For years I have been a track sprinter at the highest level. Keirin is notorious for its pushing and pulling, the taking of risks. But do note: in those circles I am not known as a sprinter who takes extreme risks. In Japan this even earned me my nickname. It is not in my character. This is really making me sick.

For my transition from the track to the road I deliberately chose Rabobank's continental team. To learn the trade out of the limelight. I am not looking forward to being known for this. Naturally, I also told my story to Barloworld. I really feel sorry for Impey and have indicated to the team that I would like to discuss it with him, to tell my side of things. I have no reason to walk away from him but understand that he is angry.

I feel like shit for having become headline news in this way. As a sportsman, I want to show that I am a different man. This is bugging me. I hope that there is more footage. Perhaps those videos can be viewed side by side and analysed frame by frame. I would give everything to prove that this was not my fault. It was never my intention. Not even in the heat of the battle. I will have to convince everyone that I win my sprints differently. I love this sport. Sport is on the cutting edge. Fair play is part of that in every way. It is never worth going beyond that!

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Tim — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:24:41 -0000

Sorry mate, but that's my view of it, agree with it nor not, it doesn't matter. It looked like a deliberate grab and sling, especially from the 2nd clip. If you compete in sport at all, you'll know that people do strange, and sometimes out of character, things when they're in the grip of adrenalin and fatigue.

I think he should buy some skates and head for the nearest rink!

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Martelino — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:38:14 -0000

People like Tim who use words like "definitely a deliberate act and they should ban him" don't really contribute to a clear view on the incident. Just like all the commentators wichever country they're from, who were pointing at Bos the moment Impey hit the ground. Bos is a very professional rider and a good sport. Very amitious, yes.
But most of all he is not insane! No biker would ever create a kamikaze crash like this at 65 km/h. He could get very badly injured himself.
Looking at the slo-mo several times, it seems like he was being cornered into the fences, lost control and in reflex held on to Impey (wich was wrong).

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

bm — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:46:12 -0000

this is what happened in my view. Bos is a very unexperienced road cyclist. he was about to go into the fence to the left. First natural reaction when you fall to the left is grab on to anything to the right. Stupid in those circumstances ofcourse, but because he's unexperienced it's the most natural reflex.

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

jg — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 03:56:15 -0000

Theo's brother Jan is actually an olympic speed skater, so there are definitely some skating genes there.

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Tommy P — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:31:47 -0000

Amazing how people can look at the same piece of footage and see something completely different..!

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

simplesime — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:36:15 -0000

with an arm like that he should take up discus - or javelin - or dwarf throwing - lots of crazy crashing finishes lately - must be some jittery nerves out there

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Graham — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:33:56 -0000

If you look at the slow mo several times and use pause/play/pause you will notice that the initial movement was to place a hand on his back (no grab yet) to keep Impey from pushing him into the barriers (deliberate move by Impey?? Don't know). When Bos hit the barriers (you can see his shoulder running along the barrier and the barriers moving - before the fall). Bos began to fall because Impey did not move out and continued to close the gap to the barriers and squeezed Bos even more. Bos was already on his way down when he hit the foot of a barrier. His hand moved up Impey's back grabbed the jersey near his shoulder and didn't let go, there bye pulling him down with him. Only Bos knows if it was reflex self survival or a deliberate move in anger at not being given any room. Impey is not faultless either (IMHO)

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Mr T — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:58:14 -0000

I'm sure Theo would do ok in the NHL. He's fast, explosive and (obviously) has an aggro streak. Though I don't see him getting the Habs back from 0-3 down somehow. You get to do better salutes their too!

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Mike — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:58:30 -0000

After looking at some videos of the crash and reading Bos's statement I dont think it was intentional. Look at the crappy job they did setting up the barriers and how close they were riding to them. Should he have put his hand up to Impey's back, no. But It is certainly believable that Bos's front wheel hit one of the barrier feet causing him to crash and take Impey down with him.

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

cyclingtips — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:46:58 -0000

here's another video that shows the whole thing in slow mo. You make up your mind.

http://picasaweb.google.de/...

Either way you call it, I still think Theo should consider hockey...

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Mang — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:29:51 -0000

Go Anaheim!

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

sm — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:28:13 -0000

Boss just got put into the barries as the road closed up, It did look like he pulled Impey down but but I think he was just trying to hold it up right.. Commentary probably doesn't help..

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Tim — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:25:25 -0000

That was definitely a deliberate act and they should ban him from the sport for it.
Even in ice hockey you'd wear a significant penalty for something like that. (It does actually have rules!) Go Wings!

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Jack Campbell — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:10:46 -0000

That was pretty mad though, there is no way Bos would have thrown him like that, across the front of his own bike?!? BUT You would instinctively grab some ones shoulder if they had ridden you into the barrier and you were trying to regain your balance.

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

maryka — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:28:38 -0000

http://cyclocosm.com/2009/0... for a good and sensible perspective of the crash.

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

CM — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:09:38 -0000

you never see the experienced road cyclists pull shit like that. Only the new ones. Bos may be experienced on the track, but he has no respect for the rules on the road

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Mike — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:08:13 -0000

Take a look at the barriers. They were zig zagging all over the place.

Re: Theo Bos To Switch Sports?

Danny — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:07:17 -0000

Fark! There's no way Bos was "defending himself". No sure his reasoning behind doing that though...