Comments on: Pro Team Structure – What About the Women? http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/02/pro-team-structure-what-about-the-women/ Cycling Journal Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:25:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Moe http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/02/pro-team-structure-what-about-the-women/comment-page-1/#comment-190039 Moe Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:05:00 +0000 http://CyclingTipsBlog.com/?p=1571#comment-190039 I'm looking into getting in Pro Cycling. Its slim picking for information about Pro Women Cycling. I ride the streets and have used bikes from my old 1984 Swchin to my best friends Bianchi. Once I sat upon the saddle of the Bianchi I felt like a different person. I mean I love to ride, but this made me feel free. I will be saving up for a bike Similar to the Bianchi version so I can train, and hopefully within the next year or two I will race in a big race. If I have to I will race with the Men as well... I am that confident...  I’m looking into getting in Pro Cycling. Its slim picking for information about Pro Women Cycling. I ride the streets and have used bikes from my old 1984 Swchin to my best friends Bianchi. Once I sat upon the saddle of the Bianchi I felt like a different person. I mean I love to ride, but this made me feel free. I will be saving up for a bike Similar to the Bianchi version so I can train, and hopefully within the next year or two I will race in a big race. If I have to I will race with the Men as well… I am that confident… 

]]> By: Tommy P http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/02/pro-team-structure-what-about-the-women/comment-page-1/#comment-457 Tommy P Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:30:02 +0000 http://CyclingTipsBlog.com/?p=1571#comment-457 I think the problem is more systemic. You simply can't give women more prize money or better time slots and expect that to fix everything. From my observations there is just not that many women, compared to men, racing at the grass roots and club level. I think that clubs like SKCC are doing a great job at supporting women racing, organising training and group rides and making the whole experience less intimidating. Approaches like this should make cycling a more viable pastime for women, it should increase numbers and competition and therefore public interest and prize money etc over time. Nothing, however, is likely to be as effective as a few gold medals at the next olympics. Go Anna Meares and co! I think the problem is more systemic. You simply can’t give women more prize money or better time slots and expect that to fix everything. From my observations there is just not that many women, compared to men, racing at the grass roots and club level. I think that clubs like SKCC are doing a great job at supporting women racing, organising training and group rides and making the whole experience less intimidating. Approaches like this should make cycling a more viable pastime for women, it should increase numbers and competition and therefore public interest and prize money etc over time. Nothing, however, is likely to be as effective as a few gold medals at the next olympics. Go Anna Meares and co!

]]> By: Tommy P http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/02/pro-team-structure-what-about-the-women/comment-page-1/#comment-17817 Tommy P Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:30:00 +0000 http://CyclingTipsBlog.com/?p=1571#comment-17817 I think the problem is more systemic. You simply can't give women more prize money or better time slots and expect that to fix everything. From my observations there is just not that many women, compared to men, racing at the grass roots and club level. I think that clubs like SKCC are doing a great job at supporting women racing, organising training and group rides and making the whole experience less intimidating. Approaches like this should make cycling a more viable pastime for women, it should increase numbers and competition and therefore public interest and prize money etc over time. Nothing, however, is likely to be as effective as a few gold medals at the next olympics. Go Anna Meares and co! I think the problem is more systemic. You simply can’t give women more prize money or better time slots and expect that to fix everything. From my observations there is just not that many women, compared to men, racing at the grass roots and club level. I think that clubs like SKCC are doing a great job at supporting women racing, organising training and group rides and making the whole experience less intimidating. Approaches like this should make cycling a more viable pastime for women, it should increase numbers and competition and therefore public interest and prize money etc over time. Nothing, however, is likely to be as effective as a few gold medals at the next olympics. Go Anna Meares and co!

]]> By: cyclingtips http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/02/pro-team-structure-what-about-the-women/comment-page-1/#comment-455 cyclingtips Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:06:03 +0000 http://CyclingTipsBlog.com/?p=1571#comment-455 I'm not sure that most men have an appreciation for how fit and fast most of these pro women cyclists are. I'm fortunate enough to be good friends and ride with Sharon Laws from time to time. Sharon is a pro cyclist in Europe and went to the Beijing Olympics and the Worlds to help Nicole Cooke win here titles. I'm certainly no PRO, but when the road starts to go upwards, Sharon drops me like a bag of bricks. Unbelievable how fast she is on the hills. I also know for a fact that I cannot keep up with the fast finishin women like Belinda Goss or Jenny MacPherson in a sprint either. Like I said, I'm no PRO, but I'm no slouch either. I've ridden with many pro tour men. They are certainly stronger than the women which is to be expected, but the level of these women is extraordinary as well. I’m not sure that most men have an appreciation for how fit and fast most of these pro women cyclists are. I’m fortunate enough to be good friends and ride with Sharon Laws from time to time. Sharon is a pro cyclist in Europe and went to the Beijing Olympics and the Worlds to help Nicole Cooke win here titles. I’m certainly no PRO, but when the road starts to go upwards, Sharon drops me like a bag of bricks. Unbelievable how fast she is on the hills.

I also know for a fact that I cannot keep up with the fast finishin women like Belinda Goss or Jenny MacPherson in a sprint either.

Like I said, I’m no PRO, but I’m no slouch either. I’ve ridden with many pro tour men. They are certainly stronger than the women which is to be expected, but the level of these women is extraordinary as well.

]]> By: cyclingtips http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/02/pro-team-structure-what-about-the-women/comment-page-1/#comment-17816 cyclingtips Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:06:00 +0000 http://CyclingTipsBlog.com/?p=1571#comment-17816 I'm not sure that most men have an appreciation for how fit and fast most of these pro women cyclists are. I'm fortunate enough to be good friends and ride with Sharon Laws from time to time. Sharon is a pro cyclist in Europe and went to the Beijing Olympics and the Worlds to help Nicole Cooke win here titles. I'm certainly no PRO, but when the road starts to go upwards, Sharon drops me like a bag of bricks. Unbelievable how fast she is on the hills. I also know for a fact that I cannot keep up with the fast finishin women like Belinda Goss or Jenny MacPherson in a sprint either. Like I said, I'm no PRO, but I'm no slouch either. I've ridden with many pro tour men. They are certainly stronger than the women which is to be expected, but the level of these women is extraordinary as well. I’m not sure that most men have an appreciation for how fit and fast most of these pro women cyclists are. I’m fortunate enough to be good friends and ride with Sharon Laws from time to time. Sharon is a pro cyclist in Europe and went to the Beijing Olympics and the Worlds to help Nicole Cooke win here titles. I’m certainly no PRO, but when the road starts to go upwards, Sharon drops me like a bag of bricks. Unbelievable how fast she is on the hills.

I also know for a fact that I cannot keep up with the fast finishin women like Belinda Goss or Jenny MacPherson in a sprint either.

Like I said, I’m no PRO, but I’m no slouch either. I’ve ridden with many pro tour men. They are certainly stronger than the women which is to be expected, but the level of these women is extraordinary as well.

]]> By: Mo http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/02/pro-team-structure-what-about-the-women/comment-page-1/#comment-453 Mo Sun, 15 Feb 2009 17:06:46 +0000 http://CyclingTipsBlog.com/?p=1571#comment-453 @Ross: I think what you mean is that you like to look at athletic women. And that's fine if you're giving women a chance but as it was pointed out for us, there isn't much of an opportunity for women. I feel like women's cycling is like powder puff football, it doesn't count for much except for team spirit... Lame sauce! You cannot label women's racing uninteresting or lesser if they're not given a chance or any real incentive to show what they are there for. Women can race just as well as men do. They can also race roughly and just as dirty. I should know. And sex appeal?! Are you kidding?! You must be insane, do you want them to wear bikinis? I think there's already enough sex appeal in a sweaty lady in racing gear. Given the right environment and opportunity, women will prove men very wrong in this sport just like every other. @Ross:
I think what you mean is that you like to look at athletic women. And that’s fine if you’re giving women a chance but as it was pointed out for us, there isn’t much of an opportunity for women. I feel like women’s cycling is like powder puff football, it doesn’t count for much except for team spirit… Lame sauce!
You cannot label women’s racing uninteresting or lesser if they’re not given a chance or any real incentive to show what they are there for. Women can race just as well as men do. They can also race roughly and just as dirty. I should know.
And sex appeal?! Are you kidding?! You must be insane, do you want them to wear bikinis? I think there’s already enough sex appeal in a sweaty lady in racing gear.
Given the right environment and opportunity, women will prove men very wrong in this sport just like every other.

]]> By: Mo http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/02/pro-team-structure-what-about-the-women/comment-page-1/#comment-17815 Mo Sun, 15 Feb 2009 17:06:00 +0000 http://CyclingTipsBlog.com/?p=1571#comment-17815 @Ross: I think what you mean is that you like to look at athletic women. And that's fine if you're giving women a chance but as it was pointed out for us, there isn't much of an opportunity for women. I feel like women's cycling is like powder puff football, it doesn't count for much except for team spirit... Lame sauce! You cannot label women's racing uninteresting or lesser if they're not given a chance or any real incentive to show what they are there for. Women can race just as well as men do. They can also race roughly and just as dirty. I should know. And sex appeal?! Are you kidding?! You must be insane, do you want them to wear bikinis? I think there's already enough sex appeal in a sweaty lady in racing gear. Given the right environment and opportunity, women will prove men very wrong in this sport just like every other. @Ross:
I think what you mean is that you like to look at athletic women. And that’s fine if you’re giving women a chance but as it was pointed out for us, there isn’t much of an opportunity for women. I feel like women’s cycling is like powder puff football, it doesn’t count for much except for team spirit… Lame sauce!
You cannot label women’s racing uninteresting or lesser if they’re not given a chance or any real incentive to show what they are there for. Women can race just as well as men do. They can also race roughly and just as dirty. I should know.
And sex appeal?! Are you kidding?! You must be insane, do you want them to wear bikinis? I think there’s already enough sex appeal in a sweaty lady in racing gear.
Given the right environment and opportunity, women will prove men very wrong in this sport just like every other.

]]> By: Ross http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/02/pro-team-structure-what-about-the-women/comment-page-1/#comment-441 Ross Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:44:41 +0000 http://CyclingTipsBlog.com/?p=1571#comment-441 Sorry to infuriate so many feminists. I love athletic women. Ones that can ride are even better. But womens racing just isnt as interesting as mens racing. Maybe the levels of prize money lead to mens sport being more elite? Maybe its just the physical differences. For this reason, I think womens racing is always going to be the poorer cousin unless sex appeal can be bought into bike racing somehow...... Sorry to infuriate so many feminists. I love athletic women. Ones that can ride are even better. But womens racing just isnt as interesting as mens racing. Maybe the levels of prize money lead to mens sport being more elite? Maybe its just the physical differences. For this reason, I think womens racing is always going to be the poorer cousin unless sex appeal can be bought into bike racing somehow……

]]> By: Ross http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/02/pro-team-structure-what-about-the-women/comment-page-1/#comment-17814 Ross Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:44:00 +0000 http://CyclingTipsBlog.com/?p=1571#comment-17814 Sorry to infuriate so many feminists. I love athletic women. Ones that can ride are even better. But womens racing just isnt as interesting as mens racing. Maybe the levels of prize money lead to mens sport being more elite? Maybe its just the physical differences. For this reason, I think womens racing is always going to be the poorer cousin unless sex appeal can be bought into bike racing somehow...... Sorry to infuriate so many feminists. I love athletic women. Ones that can ride are even better. But womens racing just isnt as interesting as mens racing. Maybe the levels of prize money lead to mens sport being more elite? Maybe its just the physical differences. For this reason, I think womens racing is always going to be the poorer cousin unless sex appeal can be bought into bike racing somehow……

]]> By: sandy http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/02/pro-team-structure-what-about-the-women/comment-page-1/#comment-288 sandy Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:51:09 +0000 http://CyclingTipsBlog.com/?p=1571#comment-288 not to mention that organisers marginalize the women's events by pushing them out to poor timeslots that aren't good for advertisers and tv coverage. The UCI does nothing to influence these decisions by the race organisers. Solving this problem may be the first step towards women being paid some respectable money for doing this sport. not to mention that organisers marginalize the women’s events by pushing them out to poor timeslots that aren’t good for advertisers and tv coverage. The UCI does nothing to influence these decisions by the race organisers.

Solving this problem may be the first step towards women being paid some respectable money for doing this sport.

]]> By: sandy http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/02/pro-team-structure-what-about-the-women/comment-page-1/#comment-17813 sandy Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:51:00 +0000 http://CyclingTipsBlog.com/?p=1571#comment-17813 not to mention that organisers marginalize the women's events by pushing them out to poor timeslots that aren't good for advertisers and tv coverage. The UCI does nothing to influence these decisions by the race organisers. Solving this problem may be the first step towards women being paid some respectable money for doing this sport. not to mention that organisers marginalize the women’s events by pushing them out to poor timeslots that aren’t good for advertisers and tv coverage. The UCI does nothing to influence these decisions by the race organisers.

Solving this problem may be the first step towards women being paid some respectable money for doing this sport.

]]> By: Marion http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/02/pro-team-structure-what-about-the-women/comment-page-1/#comment-286 Marion Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:55:01 +0000 http://CyclingTipsBlog.com/?p=1571#comment-286 Woman's cycling is just an afterthought to the UCI and race organisers. Prize money is so disproportional it's not even funny. Something has to be done about it if it's going to develop as a "real sport" Woman’s cycling is just an afterthought to the UCI and race organisers. Prize money is so disproportional it’s not even funny. Something has to be done about it if it’s going to develop as a “real sport”

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