https://cyclingtips.com/2021/10/gallery-snapshots-of-hell-at-paris-roubaix/
LOL at the captions - CyclingTips aren't holding back on their disdain for Gianni Moscon.
Some similarly brilliaint photos (and captions) for the Women's race here:
https://cyclingtips.com/2021/10/gallery-the-grit-and-glory-of-paris-roubaix-femmes/
Yet I have never watched a woman’s race. Even if I stumble across womans cying on TV I’ll switch it off. I simply have no interest in it, not because of sexism, but because I’m largely unfamiliar with any of the teams or riders. I suspect I’m not alone here.
This is a perennial problem for cycling in general, the constant revolving door of sponsors and teams changing name. I'm unfamiliar with half of the Men's teams as well!
Still watched both races though.
You could argue the same for a lot of sports; the famous winningest people get the publicity, the 99% who take part, try their best, support the team and so on get a footnote at best.
That said, I cant believe lizzie (one of the few female cyclists I am familiar with) won less than 2k for her efforts. That really is shit.
Not bad for a days work 😉
(yes i'm kidding)
And if you dig out the results there were two GB lads in the top ten of the junior race (well done Benjamin). There were only 38 finishers - by far more DNF and over time limit than finishers so it must have been pretty brutal.
The Captain (Blyth) might have had a hair raising ride on the Moro but Iris’ commentary rocked.
I loved the women's race as I had a knot in my stomach when Vos tried to reel Lizzie in, the mens race this year however was epic, one for the ages. I'm not sure I ever enjoyed a live (TV) bike race as much.
Adam Blythe's palpable fear on the back of the motorbike plus his annoyance at not actually seeing any racing was the comic interlude the epic needed.
A little bump for those photo links that crazy-legs posted. They are wonderful
https://cyclingtips.com/2021/10/gallery-snapshots-of-hell-at-paris-roubaix/
https://cyclingtips.com/2021/10/gallery-the-grit-and-glory-of-paris-roubaix-femmes/
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Perhaps somebody could explain in simple language why one would have enough interest in men’s racing to go and find out how it works and who is involved but then cut off their nose to spite their face when it comes to women’s racing. A statement along the lines of “I can’t be arsed finding out about women’s racing and the people involved” is pathetic. I watch the women’s racing because it’s about cycling and amazing people and bloody fantastic racing.
Those cyclingtips photos are great.
You just need to watch a few of the women's races really. Given that so much commentary is inevitably 'filler' material discussing past races the riders have done or won, what form they are in, which country / world championships, etc, then you end up learning a lot about the riders and their teams without having to read around.
Women's racing has changed a lot in the last few years and is now full of attacking riding which is good TV
The coverage is improving but needs more visibility, on YouTube "The Run Up Series" has high production standards and an example of what needs to get out there more
The Cycling Podcast Feminin is a good monthly round up and discussion on women's racing.
GCN+ have a lot of coverage of women's racing, when the races are filmed/broadcasted.
Coverage is out there if you look for it but most people getting into watching cycling as a sport will generally start with the men and then something may trigger an interest in watching women too. For me it was spending some time with a well known pro rider which led to funding/watching the Half the Road documentary. Its a few years old now but well worth hunting out.
The Captain (Blyth) might have had a hair raising ride
Damn your eyes, sir!
Turn your back on me?!
