They do say never meet your hero's....
Just stood for 45minutes outside the Sky bus. Probably 200 - 300 people including loads of kids. The riders sat on the bus for all of that time, then got off, grabbed their bikes and rolled off. A couple managed one or two autographs and Bernie Eisal actually smiled.
Lovely sunny day, loads of kids waiting to meet their hero's, would it have killed them to spend more than one minute with the crowd, chatting to them and, perhaps, inspiring them even more?
They really did look like they didn't want to be there.
A shame when this happens, on one side they are at work and are focused on the job in hand, on the other yeah part of the job is the fans esp Kids.
That's what made the recent Sreve Peat post so good really, a big star being so approachable.
Did they have their race faces on?
[/hugh porter]
It does seem crappy, but to be honest if I was a top sportsman I am not sure I could handle the crowds, autograph hunters and adulation, and can imagine I would blank it all out most of the time, especially before the race starts.
But you would think a few of them would revel in that kind of thing. Maybe cycling just frequently attracts more "lone wolf" personalities. I don't think its a sport most get into expecting fame and fortune.
Mixing with public = catching a cold = race buggered.
it is a bit crappy, but i bet, coming to the end of the season there's some tired people on that bus...
They don't need to revel in it, just be polite. People waited for ages to see them.
Makes me wonder if cycling as a sport, and the pro's themselves, need to catch up with the speed of growth and interest in the sport.
Makes you wonder if there had been some 'atmosphere' on the bus. Cav crashing out on Day 1, losing the sprint yesterday, potentially leaving the team, wanting to take Bernie with him.......
Give them a break, they are only highly paid sportsmen who really on public support for their job. Have seen Sky riders like this before when things are not happy in the team. Perhaps there is something going on.
🙄
Mixing with public = catching a cold = race buggered.
Yeah, it's not like they are advertising things, being an ambassador or inspiration for some wee mite.
Thankfully, not all sports people are up their own arses.
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8427/7865734576_e42c79f7e1.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/7865734576/ ]Danny MacAskill[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/matt_outandabout/ ]matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr
I don't think the average team member in a cycling team makes much money at all, probably just around the average wage. Although I think its tradition for the TdF winner to give his winnings to the team for the race, so those in that race will have had a nice bonus.
Those Wallace and Gromit hands still make me LOL.
If I was psyching myself up for a stage I'm not sure I'd be that sociable.
Were the other teams?
I was at the Kendal-Blackpool stage last year and the contrast was remarkable. Spent 20 mins chatting with Geraint and Swifty, cracking lads.
But, that was the day the race was cancelled.
I have to say though, prior to a race, you just want to get in the zone and focus, listen to your ipod and go through the salient points of the race manual...
In fairness, lost the GC yesterday after a judges decision, not had the normal plan work out, twice. Quite possibly reviewing/altering tactics. There's a fair amount of general public pressure and expectation on them to take this one easily, and its not been the perfect start. Given their attention to detail may well be a fair bit of focus... Yeah sounds like they could ahve chirpier getting off the bus, but may just have their 'head in the game'. We shall see today I suppose.
I saw wiggins on the tv talking talking about contracts at £50k, that's less than wayne rooney's daily rate, according to here:
http://www.paywizard.co.uk/main/pay/vip-celebrity-salary/football-players-salary
and wiggins is a world class athlete!
matt_outandabout - Member
Thankfully, not all sports people are up their own arses.
Bit of leap - not signing autographs at one specific time = up their own arses?
That's not Wiggo at 50k - that's the lowest pro-tour salary (there's an actual minimum, but I can't remember what it is).
Wiggo is on 1m
Edit: here's a nice article http://inrng.com/2011/07/how-much-does-a-rider-earn/
In fact the whole site is worth subscribing to.
They really did look like they didn't want to [s]be there.[/s] wear Rapha in 2013.
Seen Cav spend a lot of time with members of the public before stages, particularly with kids. Mind you he is on £2m a year, not that it matters. Would suggest that even a lower paid rider at SKY it better paid than many on here. Perhaps they'd just had a bollocking of the DS for arguing about whose fault Cav's stage 1 crash was.
What happened to him yesterday?
What happened to him yesterday?
Not sure, i meant to go back and watch again, but as the last guy was about to give him the lead out, he suddenly dropped back and everyone else seized on the opportunity, came stonking back with everything he had and it was close, but not enough.
Not sure, i meant to go back and watch again, but as the last guy was about to give him the lead out, he suddenly dropped back and everyone else seized on the opportunity, came stonking back with everything he had and it was close, but not enough.
yeah I spotted that too - he just stopped pedalling. What was that about?
Maybe they should go and work in tesco for a few months on minimum wage, then put them back on the tour
Think some of these primadonnas fret what real life is all about
Can't stop and talk to fans because they are in the zone, what a load of crap
Easygirl, would you prefer that Wayne, on checkout 23, was the lead out man for Cav as he came on to the final lap of the Champs Elysee stage?
😉
Perhaps Angela (Beers, Wines and Spirits) fancies a break on the Hautacam. I reckon she could make it stick.
Meanwhile, Dave, you know, that spotty one, from Accounts, is lined up in the front row against Adam Jones. Looking like a good match up that one...
"Can't stop and talk to fans because they are in the zone, what a load of crap"
Agreed. It's tour of britain for goods sake.
If the OP had said this had happened after the stage I could understand, that's the time to meet the public sign autographs etc. But you can't expect professional athletes to do this sort of stuff just before they perform!
From my limited sporting experience, I know the last thing I want just before I start an event is to have my focus and preparations interrupted.
mt - Member
"Can't stop and talk to fans because they are in the zone, what a load of crap"Agreed. It's tour of britain for goods sake.
They're still being paid to ride to win, not for writing their names on bits of paper for strangers.
AndrewJ - Member
If the OP had said this had happened after the stage I could understand, that's the time to meet the public sign autographs etc. But you can't expect professional athletes to do this sort of stuff just before they perform!
Agree
A lot of speculation on here. Maybe there was a delay in the schedule, maybe things come up in the team meeting that had to be addressed.
I'd like to add that every time I've met a pro rider from sky it's been a great experience and they've had time for the fans.
I'd add that there departure from the bus would have been scheduled as well. It's not like they just wander off whenever they feel like it.
Bernie Eisal actually smiled
He's officially my man crush!!! Top bloke as well!
Its a bike race. The bike racers were probably concentrating on the bike race.
Several years ago in Morzine, I waited two hours outside the sky bus. The PR girl gave us postcards of the entire team and Brailsford gave a ten minute interview to some mates that I was with (he even let them film it). The riders came out, said hello and signed our postcards. Wiggo was the last rider out, seemed quite relaxed for the stage ahead, chatted and autographed the postcards. Awesome day, couldn't praise the teamteam (riders and support staff) enough!
"They're still being paid to ride to win, not for writing their names on bits of paper for strangers"
You are right of course about winning, not sure that the company paying the bills would be happy having it's customers ignored.
Blanking the fans when leaving the team bus before a stage is not normally what happens.
A couple of years ago the minimum wage for a pro tour domestique was £37k. Teams like sky pay more, but a lot of Italian and Spanish teams pay the minimum.
Maybe they should go and work in tesco for a few months on minimum wage, then put them back on the tour
Think some of these primadonnas fret what real life is all about
If was earning 40 grand a year, but I knew it would end when I turned 35 or so, I'm pretty sure I'd know what real life was like.
Personally I don't get why they should have to stand around signing stuff for fans?
Sure it's nice but I don't think it should be expected. I hate getting interrupted when I'm working.
They'd probably just got a bollocking eh?
I took part in the Aberfoyle SXC race last year and Megaskill was one of the riders! I was dead last... why I stayed out for the 4th lap is still beyond me.
To be fair, a lot of people turn up at my work and most of them I can't be bothered with, they are all customers of course so they get a smile and a nod and maybe a thanks!
"Personally I don't get why they should have to stand around signing stuff for fans? Sure it's nice but I don't think it should be expected." In some industries it's known as customer service in others it's about building the companies brand image. Given who own Sky, brand image is probably important right now.
"I hate getting interrupted when I'm working." I know what you mean but I can't get away from this forum. 🙂
"chakaping - Member
They'd probably just got a bollocking eh?"
I'd say thats was pretty close to the truth. Having watch Le Tour, currently watching the documentary do you think Dave's happy with the performance of the team? They don't look like the domineering professional Sky outfit that left france, and a lot of the Superstars of world cyclic are not present.
Perhaps they've become complacent.
At the Tour de Luxembourg, Sky were probably the least approachable of the big teams. Teams like Europcar and Vacansoleil were very friendly but are a level below Sky I suppose. That said, Lotto, Cofidis and Radioshack were all a lot more chatty but there could be a language element to that. Overall though, I was surprised how happy all the teams were to have people sticking their heads into the trucks etc.
There is a [url= http://www.uciprotour.com/Modules/ENews/ENewsDetails.asp?id=NjQzOQ&MenuId=MTY5Mw&LangId=1&BackLink=%2Ftemplates%2FUCI%2FUCI5%2Flayout.asp%3FMenuId%3DMTY5Mw%26LangId%3D1 ]2009 salary report[/url] from the UCI which suggests that the average 2009 salary is 190k euros but 15% of the ProTour riders earned under 40k. I guess though, if you;re racing or at camps for a lot of the year, maybe your expenses aren't that high.
What channel is the tour of Britain on this year?
ITV4, both live and highlights @ 7pm I think.
Just for some balance, at the TdF Time Trial in Chartres, the team, with the exception of Bradley, were available for the fans, chatted and Cav signed both my sons' jerseys after talking with them. Eisel and Porte signed the yellow caps, Higgs Boson was of course swamped by Norwegians, and David Brailsford chatted for ages.
"In the Zone"!
They tootle around chatting for the 1st hour of each stage!
ITV 4 and shown live on their website.
Who will win today?
I can see why they wouldn't want to get involved in autograph signing but no excuse for them not to acknowledge the crowd etc.
What is the general public's obsession with autographs? Just don't get it. Why would you want a random scribble, no matter who did the scribbling, on a bit of paper/tour guide/tennis ball? What are you going to do with it? If I was famous I'd have an autograph ban as any sad sack who wanted one I'd rather not have as a fan.
What is the general public's obsession with autographs?
My son now proudly sports a Team GB cycling jersey that says "To Alex from Mark Cavendish", plus David Millar's signature that was clear enough for his sister to say "That's my brother's signature". What's not to like?
Go prepared: wear a jersey and carry a permanent marker pen 8)
Who will win today?
Don't know, but no one mention it on this thread. Start another and put a spoilers warning on it, gonna watch the highlights when I get from this evenings ride. I've got this whole plan laid out with a pint and everything. 8)
Sorry djaustin, even for a sprog it's a sign of a simpleton 🙂
As a kid my school was next to the county cricket ground and we could go in for free after school. Every week is was the school nerds and potential train spotters that hung around the dressing room door to add to their autograph collection. The cool kids were out on the outfield trying to play like their heroes. Thinking about it now the autograph hunters went on to be IT administrators, admin officers, H&S inspectors (I kid you not), accountants and other thrilling occupations.
Please inform djautin jnr. of the stimulating life he has ahead of him, or give him a slap before it's too late. 🙂
Anyone think they might just be a little bit surprised/overwhelmed by the attention?
A few years back I marshalled the start of the ToB stage in MK. The marshals were the only ones wandering around the team cars/vans. Most of the riders were sat around in deck chairs. Quite a lot has changed since then, quite quickly.
The end of a stage is usually a little easier. They're more prepared to hang around and chat, but you have to be patient until they're ready.
Although with the length of the transfers after each stage I'm not sure they'll do much hanging about at the finish of stages either.
Well after the TT, he cycled up the tourmalet wearing it, so I guess that fits in with your premise. To be honest, I agree, I don't see the point in collecting squiggles on scraps of paper. But a jersey is a jersey 😉
I seem to recall Lance Armstrong stopped signing jerseys and books because then people would put them on ebay, at the same time as livestrong was selling signed jerseys for his livestrong charity.
How much would you get for a Wiggins signed Sky jersey on ebay...few quid I expect?
i feel the same as the sky riders, you sit on the coach, (not a bus for a few hours),get off, dressed in lycra and a tight brightly coloured top, wearing some expensive sunglasses,and a plastic hat filled with polystyrene, shoes that make you walk like a duck on ice, and and are surrounded by numerous people all wanting a smile or your attention, lots taking your picture,all crowding onto you,you feel uncomfortable, dont know wether to smile or look a bit miserable.
Then you suddenly realise youre at Chorlton st coach station in Manchester, next to the gay village.
and your glad youve got a bike to ride away on.
Smileys broken.
Well, David Brailsford signed my (green) Sky jersey. I could test the water 😆
Sullen or otherwise, Sky just earned their keep, with Cavendish first over the line at Dumfries.
Thinking about it now the autograph hunters went on to be IT administrators, admin officers, H&S inspectors (I kid you not), accountants and other thrilling occupations.
Whilst you're what? A brain surgeon astronaut superhero? 🙄
I recall he's a teacher. So do jobs make you interesting as a person I always assumed it was personality that made you interesting.
Whilst you're what? A brain surgeon astronaut superhero?
Who said I was one of the cool kids? 😉 Amongst the "cool kids", one went on to play for the country at cricket, another started an internet company at the start of the boom and retired before 35, another you'll see on the telly pretty much weekly and another is now an RN captain of one of our latest destroyers. Autograph collecting is for folks who prefer to look up rather than climb up.
Uncool kids can also do okay for themselves although Bill looks like someone on heavy medication.
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Sullen or otherwise, Sky just earned their keep, with Cavendish first over the line at Dumfries.
DAMN YOUR EYES! I had a plan. With Ale, and a post ride pie, and the tour... and not knowing who won. well... bother.
You sir have spoiled my Pie. 😛
Thanks for that cakefacesmallbollx. Ever heard of a spoiler?
Muppet.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO ! My sincere apologies. 😳 Logs out to find forum etiqutte.
Might not be too late to edit it.. if you are quick
They'll be all smiles out side the Sky coach tomorrow.
No one should be surprised that a thread about team sky on a cycling forum might reveal the result of the days racing, if you don't want to know it, avoid the obvious places its likely to be discussed 🙄
Met Haille Gebrselassie once very briefly before a race. He stopped said hello and couldnt have been more friendly.
He had just warmed up and 10 minutes later broke the world 5000m indoor world record.
If thats not an achievement that requires focus then I dont know what is. Being "focused on the job in hand" doesnt cut it I'm afraid.
I also recall Darren Cambell was very friendly and Judy Oakes was downright rude.
Booooo
Maybe I'll forget that post by the time the highlights are on tonight?
Dumfries is less than 10miles away to where i am at the moment, i'm farm and dog sitting (6 of them) for friends who are away on holiday so i got up super early this morning (still dark) to deal wi the farm stuff and take the dogs out wi the quad bike up onto the moor with smug intentions of popping into Dumfries to see the sprint finish this afternoon..................but guess what muppet got the quad bike stuck in the moorland bog 3 miles away - DOH!...frickin edjit!.
So i walked back down to the farm yard, washed the dogs, spent 20mins hunting for the Telehandler keys, found them in the ignition 😳 and back up the hill to lift the Quad out the bog and back down to the farm it was too late, i'd wasted 3hrs......Arghhhhhhhh.....i've been up since 4am....with only one intention for the past week which was to see the sprint finish.......only one thing for it, i'm gonna get drunk instead.
Mr. Sinatra, thanks for the title edit ! ( posted from our doghouse :wink:)
Surfer
Judy Oakes was downright rude - she was never nice.
Just think how much faster Haille Gebrselassie would have gone if he'ed been in the zone.
Spent the day chasing pros at Stoke so thought I might as well give you an update.
As last year every pro we met was thoroughly nice and friendly.
Hung round the sky bus waiting for the team to come out and as the crowds were massive they had barriers up, My 3 year old boy, who was waiting patiently to meet his heroes was at the front and they just let him jump the barriers and mooch round in front of the bus. We waited for about 40 mins and in this time he played with his toy car at the feet of all the sky staff and wandered about Ned Boulting and David Brailsfords legs.
When the riders came out one by one they all gave time to the fans signed autographs and had pics taken.
My lad ended up with his tour cap signed by all six riders (Wiggo, Cav, Knees, Hunt, Eisle and Rowe) as well as Brailsford and Boulting. They even gave him one of there water bottles (had to throw the contents away so he didn't have the squits all day, god knows what it was, minging).
My lad even went and asked Cav where Dowsey was (Alex Dowsett) as he was his favourite lol
My 5 year old daughter was shouting Cav at the start line and when he looked over she shouted "I love you" he gave her a little wave and blew her a kiss. Proper made her day!!
So nothing has been changed in my mind, the Sky team are nothing but down to earth gents and a true inspiration to youngsters. I'd rather my kids have these as heroes than some stuck up celebrity that's famous for being famous.
give you a tenner for the cap.
Haha I'd go and take it out of his sleeping hands but I fear they may be tears in the morning!
perhaps they have read this lot and thought better. I'll give you 15 quid for the cap, let the little bugger cry he'll have forgotten it by tomorrow. 🙂
Just take the cap off him and tell him that Cav was done for doping.
It's a tough lesson but he'll thank you for it one day.
A TdF yellow jersey, signed by bradders after one of his yellow jersey days went for £1200 on ebay t'other week, if anyone's interested...
My missus has just shown me her mates Facebook page. They bumped into the guys at Crewe hall where they are staying and they let her 12 year old son onto the bus for photos and cav, wiggo and DB all posed for photos with him- considering it was a bad day at the office I would say fair play to them