Tour de France 2015

Coral seems to be the in colour ATM...

To my shame, this year is the first year I've watched the tour de france ever. I never really got into it before...- probably because listening to it on the radio wasn't the best starters medium - ...and I obviously really, really enjoyed it, and was totally hooked and feel at a loss without it now... However, I was very surprised (well, not that surprised, it being France and all) to see the podium girls - it's insane! Just read this rather good article... Wanted to draw your attention to it: http://www.prettydamnedfast.com/blog/2015/7/5/nopodiumgirls

also, they've started up a petition...:
https://www.change.org/p/union-cycling-internationale-bann-podium-girls-from-all-cycling-events?recruiter=32458898&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=share_twitter_responsive&rp_sharecordion_checklist=control

Beth! Good to have you back!

Hello! It's been a whiiillllllee... Thanks for the welcome!

Signed.
Also, it's possibly even worse in races like California and Down Under having the podium girls, not having the questionable 'tradition' of it and doing it for ages.

You mean pink.

Podium girls are an embarrassing anachronism.

This pic is particularly bleak

Even the 'tasteful' hired-smiles at the Tour ceremony feels awkward. Move on cycling!

Wow I didn't realise there was a prize. As if the glory was not enough. I have pm'd you.

100 signature required? that a bit small for such a big sport.

I remember someone tried to argue that it take away jobs for those who need the money, I don't think they realised they're not podium girls for the rest of the years.

(still signed).

That's just bizarre;

So wrong on so many levels.

If this is wrong, I don't want to be right. Look at his little face!

The one on the left is just sniffing him gently.

DISCLAIMER: podium girls are a Bad Thing, kids.

It's just the way Change.org do it - it makes it seem like a reachable goal and as soon as you reach it they move the goal posts. Basterds.

But seriously.. Not sure if this petition is the right way to go about it... would it be worth setting up a UK Cycling Specific petition? Maybe put pressure of the teams to speak up about it? What do ya'll think? I'd appreciate your feedback.

I agree think it would be more achievable and have more of an impact if let's say Tour of Britain made an announcement saying they would have no more podium girls and here are the reasons why.
Would be good if some cyclists spoke up, both male and female, surely some of the guys must feel the same way.

you do wonder though when you see their wives...

But Yes, ok, Tour of Britain - good idea - didn't think they'd have gone in for podium girls but yep...

It's worth making it more specific and start getting some wins to build momentum. If it's a general petition to the world - no ones gonna really feel any heat.

Tour of Britain or a particular one day race - maybe focus on a sponsor and petition them saying why are you sponsoring an event with such blatant sexism.

Would be up for discussing this more -

how about a dedicated topic?

Would also help the cause if we didn't pass judgement on other people's partners, a bit unfair.

The girl on the right was more than a podium girl, she basically co-ordinated all the post stage awards from what I saw at the races, and the one of the left I'm pretty sure is a sponsor.

They'd be a lot of models left without a source of income if you banned podium girls, and the girls at F1 races. Lets face it they do it at the Olympics. What about cheerleaders too?

Just think of the models!

And lest we forget, they're actually not girls, but women. :)

http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/author/oleg-tinkov-chapeau-to-team-sky-but-theyre-going-to-kill-the-business/

Some more top trolling from Oleg. Apparently Sky are going to kill the sport because they plan for the future, while other teams just plan for the next 12 months. So Sky basically are better managed than other teams which is bad mmkay

you're right - my bad.