Bleve said:warrwych wrote:
> i get your point now re: compared to all the footballers (all codes) ,
> cricketers etc in Australia, to have 5% of the field of the world's
> most famous bike race is quite a lot. I am not so sure. 10 out of a
> population of X thousands who ride is not so many (not talking straight
> CA membership numbers here, just to twist figures in my favour ).
There's not many Chinese riders at the TdF
> What is important about those riders is the regard with which they are
> held by their teams, and that they do very well against other riders
> from the local (northern) hemisphere.
>
> the Brits do have ready access to the Euro circuits, but I am not so
> sure road racing is as strong culturally for them as it is in
> Australia, due in part to climate.
I dunno, I read an interesting book on the history of British racing
cycling 'one more kilometer and we're in the showers', which did talk
about a tradition of road time trials a lot.
>
> Is Richard England that young? No way.. Seriously, I thought he was
> late 20's or so.
No, he was a kid when I started racing (which isn't all that long ago!)
>
> agree on all other points, nothing further to add
>
> except - didn't realise your name was such a heavy load
heh
Are you going to come and do a few of the BBN track races? Small
fields, well behaved .... even I manage to feel safe in the bunches!
not really sure of the relevence of the reference to Chinese riders.... but you are correct, there are not many Chinese, or Indonesian, or Alaskan or Icelandic or Indian riders competing in the TdF. Not many women, or Drapac Porsche riders either
Track racing on a Sat arvo after doing 100km in the morning doesn't really appeal. I am racing a few Xmas carnivals, does that count? I am currently running a book on myself as to how many laps it will take the "big girls" to lap me.