Cav for the 2009 SPOTY
Discussion
This may well have been covered in another thread.
For the first time ever I am acutally going to vote in SPOTY for Mark Cavendish. His six stages in the Tour de France finishing with the first ever British win on the Champs Elysee was just epic. His the stage win after he had hauled himself over the mountain to win with no real lead out just him against the other sprinters showed that it he could ride a stage with the best of them and still have that searing turn of speed to take the victory.
To top it off he won more road races than just about anyone else this year, 40+, all over the world, including the Milan-Sane Remo, one of cyclings classic road races.
If anyone has, asides from the cyclists on here, have ever tried to get up to 30 miles and hold it for a 100m let alont 40+ mph after 150 miles in the saddle you will realise that it takes a pretty special kind of athlete to achieve what he did.
I know its a "PERSONALITY" contest effectively, backed up by sporting success, and even here Cav's character stood out, his contest not just the on road but and through the press with Thor Husvod for the Green jersey was just one of the many highlights in this years Tour de France.
So for first time I am going to vote for someone on SPOTY and Cav is going to get my vote.
For the first time ever I am acutally going to vote in SPOTY for Mark Cavendish. His six stages in the Tour de France finishing with the first ever British win on the Champs Elysee was just epic. His the stage win after he had hauled himself over the mountain to win with no real lead out just him against the other sprinters showed that it he could ride a stage with the best of them and still have that searing turn of speed to take the victory.
To top it off he won more road races than just about anyone else this year, 40+, all over the world, including the Milan-Sane Remo, one of cyclings classic road races.
If anyone has, asides from the cyclists on here, have ever tried to get up to 30 miles and hold it for a 100m let alont 40+ mph after 150 miles in the saddle you will realise that it takes a pretty special kind of athlete to achieve what he did.
I know its a "PERSONALITY" contest effectively, backed up by sporting success, and even here Cav's character stood out, his contest not just the on road but and through the press with Thor Husvod for the Green jersey was just one of the many highlights in this years Tour de France.
So for first time I am going to vote for someone on SPOTY and Cav is going to get my vote.
neil_bolton said:
Why is Cav any better than Peaty?
To be honest Peaty is much more worthy; bags more personality and has stuck at it for years and years. Very very grounded bloke.
Not disagreeing Mr Peat has been around a long time, even when I was racing which was over 10 years ago!To be honest Peaty is much more worthy; bags more personality and has stuck at it for years and years. Very very grounded bloke.
Edited by neil_bolton on Tuesday 1st December 16:02
The point being that Cav has been selected as one of the 10 finalists for the public to vote on come the night of SPOTY, as he is the only cyclist, he is going to get my vote. As much as I work in motorsport, JB won the WDC, however he didn't have to pedal his car or race over 3500km using your own engine!
pablo said:
wiggo is a far more worthy nominee than cav in my humble opinion. its easier for the layman to appreciate that how six stage wins are "better" than merely finishing fourth but wiggo on ventoux was the stuff of legends.
Again not disagreeing and its a shame he is not on the top ten list, the point I am making is that Cav is the ONLY cyclist that could win SPOTY now they have the top 10 short list drawn up, so he will get my vote. If it had ben Wiggo on the list as well, he would have got my vote, if only for his Twitting!Felix7 said:
pablo said:
wiggo is a far more worthy nominee than cav in my humble opinion. its easier for the layman to appreciate how six stage wins are "better" than merely finishing fourth but wiggo on ventoux was the stuff of legends.
Again not disagreeing and its a shame he is not on the top ten list, the point I am making is that Cav is the ONLY cyclist that could win SPOTY now they have the top 10 short list drawn up, so he will get my vote. If it had ben Wiggo on the list as well, he would have got my vote, if only for his Twitting!
I agree that 4th was good going.
I thought his interview was hideous to watch. It might have been better with some technical questions, but he just stood there looking like a fence post.
Unfortunately, to get any additional votes on the night above die-hard fans, he'd need to have the charm and personality of Labrador puppy. Plus, Chris Hoy's achievements are easily understandable for the common punter...not winning the TDF and being held up as a contender for SPOTY probably didn't make sense to those outside of the sport.
It's a shame, but I suspect his efforts would be lost on most.
I'm glad Steve Peat got a mention in one of the many montages.
I thought his interview was hideous to watch. It might have been better with some technical questions, but he just stood there looking like a fence post.
Unfortunately, to get any additional votes on the night above die-hard fans, he'd need to have the charm and personality of Labrador puppy. Plus, Chris Hoy's achievements are easily understandable for the common punter...not winning the TDF and being held up as a contender for SPOTY probably didn't make sense to those outside of the sport.
It's a shame, but I suspect his efforts would be lost on most.
I'm glad Steve Peat got a mention in one of the many montages.
hondafanatic said:
I'm glad Steve Peat got a mention in one of the many montages.
It was nice - but a little annoying that although they mentioned who he was - they didnt actually mention the fact that he is the current World Champion, of the slightly impressive fact that he is the most succesful DH racer EVER....!!??As for cavendish - yes, unfortunately, cycling is NOT quite in the mainstream yet - and to win this kind of contest you need both the sporting acheivement (which he clears has) AND a bit of a 'name', a fanbase, and a bit of persona to win the votes.
hondafanatic said:
I agree that 4th was good going.
I thought his interview was hideous to watch. It might have been better with some technical questions, but he just stood there looking like a fence post.
Interview was painful, a shame as he had some good one liners in th TdF, however, gets my vote for the partner of the evening, Fiorella Migliore, landed quite a girl there.......I thought his interview was hideous to watch. It might have been better with some technical questions, but he just stood there looking like a fence post.
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