Pro-cycling thread

I enjoyed that (but I like her writing).

.

Jesus Christ - why is she going on about Roglic and the Slovenians in the first paragraph?

Oh I know why. Because she’s absolutely obsessed to the point she’s lost all objectivity.

Self indulgent, overwrought and immature. Good day.

Why do you do that to yourself?

I love her work

I had to check at what point his name would crop up. I didn’t expect it quite so high.

As a long time lurker on this thread I'm left wondering why Kate Wagner's writing style is the only one I've ever seen criticised here, and why it happens repeatedly

To be honest I suspects its not because she's a woman but because she's seen as a dilettante by some but either way its bit embarrassing

I love her work.

It’s the fawning over certain riders that is so at odds with objective sports writing that does it for me.

I actually think she’s good for the sport on the whole. Anything that encourages or inspires a more diverse field of writers to take an interest in cycling is much needed.

It’s not to my taste however. And I reserve the right to express how I want as long as I don’t offend anybody.

Why does sports writing have to be objective? Sports are fun, not important. While the enthusiasm is a bit American at times, her passion for the subject really comes through. I'd much rather read that than dry cyclingnews style race reports.

Let’s say a whistleblower went to her about Roglic doping. Then what?

If it’s not objective, it’s not journalism. It’s a fan with a typewriter, to borrow a phrase from David Walsh (who I also don’t like).

She is not swinging and missing at journalistically/objectively reporting on pro cycling; she is deliberately introducing a different, New Journalism style to the sport.

I expect she would relish a doping revelation on Rog or Pog as she regularly alludes to the dark side of cycling – it would allow her to bring a heightened moral consequence into her narrative, or something.

Her writing has shaped, to some degree, how I think about Rog, Pog, et al. Not what I think about their strategic moves within races, but how I imagine them to be as complex people. She develops characters and stories within the sport when most journalism is reporting on results. It’s great stuff. Need more like her.

Everyone should stop trashing Wagner and begin rehearsing their anti-gravel, gatekeepery nonsense. Some big fondos races coming up!

I actually enjoyed listening to her on the Cycling Podcast at the TdF last year. You’ll find my posts to that effect if you look back.

Sorry if I’ve trashed her unfairly but surely her fans recognise it’s a fairly marmite way of covering the sport and is bound to split opinion.

No issues here. I respect your right to an opinion.

I can see how it’s an acquired taste, but people who don’t like marmite tend not to eat it.

(I think you secretly like Wagner and are resisting being turned.)

Who are you kidding? You don’t read. You get all your insight from Tik Tok and Chris Horner vlogs.

Ergo, this is a wasted effort. :)

Bernal’s recovery seems quite remarkable.

was he on beddlestead ?

hope he regains his best form at some point. Be nice to see someone challenge Pogacar for a grand tour

He rides a pina, he’d be in Surrey…

I’d be amazed if he gets back to WT level.

Me too, but seems to have recovered quickly so who knows? I guess he's had the best treatment available at the very least, which will help.

Eddy Merckx and Greg Lemond both came back from potentially life changing injuries at older ages. Egan's physiology will still be broadly the same as it was.

so smooth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrTkFMaK7HA