Tour de France 2015

Might be worth trying to drum up some support from someone like the guardian - cycling and feminism would fit their narrative.

A separate thread on here would be a good start.

Alpecin boycott!

I just posted this photo as it was one of the only pictures i could find of females on the podium... Maybe Tour of Britain isn't doing the 'podium girl' thing? I don't know because I havn't watched it..

Re. think of the models: of course, it's not nice to lose out on an income stream but.. and we could go into this for days.... wouldn't it be nice if the female pro cyclists had a minimum income like the mens do?...

"it’s written directly into the rules. UCI regulations specifically limit the duration of women’s stage races to 6 days when men’s can run for up to 23; restrict the average length of a stage to 100km in comparison to men’s 140km; cap the length of a one-day race at 140km when men get 280km; and, most gallingly, require a minimum yearly salary for men but not for women."

Events like the nocturne at the tour series certainly have them, but yeah maybe let's start another thread.

Ok. Over here: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/271832/

I think we have an opportunity here to do a bit better than just ban podium girls. That way you write women out of the script of an event even more. I'm not sure that does women, and women pro cyclists especially, any greater favours than having podium girls.

On the other hand, there's women and girls across the country who are racing, improving and obviously winning. You could get some of them to present awards and trophys at the end of stages and races. Get them to wear club or team colours, announce who they are and some of their palmares. That way they get some exposure as a sports person. The next time the audience is at a race where there's a women's event, they'll know a bit more about the people their watching. You'll hand feed them an attachment to the riders and help address the current lack of interest in women's racing.

Ok. Over here: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/2718­32/

thanks everyone!

I seem to recall reading a well written article by a woman cyclist (not a pro but a keen cyclist) who had been asked to be a "podium person" in the ToB a few years ago because they were not seeking models but women involved in cycling. She agonised over it in an eloquent fashion but, ultimately, did not do it.

Doesn't exist.

Does too.

Try finding it from teh General list, maybe: http://www.lfgss.com/microcosms/509/

(The title is "'Podium girls' in pro cycling...")

That petition is way too broad. Banning all the things is not even a vague possibility so the petition is never going to more than an expression... so I didn't sign it.

A petition asking for Real People invited to accompany winners on the podium of a particular race is perhaps the way to go?

I don't like the idea of differentiating people into those who are "real" and those others who, presumably, are not. Attractive young women are "real people". Indeed, that is part of the issue. They should be thought of as people and not objects.

OK, interesting or relevant. Many of the podium girls are involved with the sport but if they're only hired as window dressing that's a problem.

I was handing out the prizes at last year's Super Cross, not because I was a "podium person" but because I was the only one who knew who got which prize, but all the men kept trying to swoop in for cheek kisses anyway and I was like ew get away from me. It was pretty creepy tbh, I think a lot of models would be happy to not have to do that.

/csb

Froomez you got beated agen , you suck

How much time did Nairo take back?

50kg of raw sprint powa = Froome-smash

Ah, the shameless post tour crits. I'd say they're the most honest part of pro-cycling

I can't find the UCI points allocated to these races, must be a bug on the website or something

That's a worrying thought!

ignore. Fat fingered first time tablet user.

@Scoot that sounds like an awkward experience!

@miro_o I agree about the petition being too broad...am trying to write up a better campaign over at: (if the link works this time..) :
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/271832/

.

1 Attachment

The Muffin Man

Big up to I_am_Hingis who delivered my TDF winning muffins to my office up west. They went down a storm with my work mates and even endeared me briefly to an anti-cycling colleague (now if only there was some kind of national bike registration or I contributed to road tax).

It was a pretty tough tour and it has definitely taken its toll on my body. Three weeks on the sofa, fuelled by beer and crisps and now topped off with a box of muffins. Those marginal (weight) gains really do make a difference.

Much appreciated - thanks again mate!