Old Dog

Dennis Close finish with Medscheme (far left) 1st and EMG 2nd & 3rd. Dennis van Niekerk was sick after the Philipines TourOld Dog2010-03-19 09:15:58

Some pics from the tour...

Great pics Ronelle - thanks. Umm.. did you get any of the podium?

The most sensible post of the whole sorry 13 pages!!!!!!

Keep the reports coming, Ivy. Much appreciated. Perhaps post on one the racing forums so that Fandacious and co can continue to "rant and rave" here.

Would be interested to know how many US$'s were mentioned to Glock over the radio during that last lap!!!

The CSA has a finite budget - they must pick events where they have realistic chance of performing well. If you, however, want to finance attendance of the Outer Mongolian Driewiel Championships by having licence feeds raised to a couple of grand a year then you'll hear bitching and moaning. Olympics and World Champs must always be top priority in a body representing the country. Otherwise might just as well go back to the SACF/PPA days, because the SACF, with their many failings, always managed to get worlds squads of some reckoning together! And yes, I believe if the best squad available in the country, taking into account form, etc., etc., is entered they will always do well! CSA just does not have the expertise to do it properly!

Napalm said:At least positive things are happening at the CSA. They're slowly but surely getting rid of the dead wood. Ther's a well known expression "Bullsh*t baffles brains" When it comes to the real issues - what? Very poor SA showing at the Junior Worlds despite being hosts. Mediocre Olympics - no track team even entered. No SA riders in this years Worlds doing time trials - 1st time ever! Lets wait and see what the Road races come up with.......

Not to worry about the cyclists - the pic with the Table Mountain in the background was magic!

Seems SA isn't the only country with admin problems - Andrea Kloden hi the nail on its proverbial head in his statement after not being selected for the Olympics...... "I urge a complete reform of the nomination criteria and point out that in other countries, the participants are chosen by experience former riders and not from functionaries who don't necessarily know anything about cycling," he concluded. (SW)

Originally posted by Phen Froome took a British licence in order to stand a (small) chance of competing at the Olympics, since Kenya has no start slots for road cycling. I think you must be resident in a country for ?? number of years to qualify to represent that country in Olympics - I seem to remember the situation with Zola Budd a few years back and the controversy with her wanting to run as a Brit. Getting back to the initial thread - I am just hoping that JL is going to finish the Tour just so he can give the finger to the sceptics! (including one in his own team). Would also really like to see him get in a break or do something that would put him in the spotlight for a while!

Perhaps rather than slam the value of an Olympic medal because he has very little chance of winning it, he should have rather conceded this fact way back and left the place for someone else more committed. I have always understood the Olympics to be the ultimate goal for all athletes!

During an interview, Robbie Hunter says he doesn't much value an Olympic medal - read all on Cyclingnews.com. Quote "Hunter, a Tour de France stage winner, admitted the Olympic Games don't have the same prestige as a Tour de France stage win. The rider said it was difficult to compare the two, given the Olympics only take place every four years. ....... "As far as cycling is concerned an Olympic medal does not mean much - a stage of the Tour de France means a lot more." I preume he means personnally and not from the countries aspect?

James trying hard not to be jumping with joy!! What is a Korean Wan worth? Would like to get some copies of pics when you return, Barry.

Here's a stir - perhaps it is something to do with SS being quite reluctant to show anyone not in an MTN jersey on their Tuesday show?

Was on Supersport 5. Fell asleep after first 10 minutes!

You might consider a Silverback - James Perry rode their prototype TT bike in the recent SA Champs to good effect, and its not likely to break the bank.

I thought it might be a nice gesture to send a "well done" to someone at CSA for the SA road champs but am not able to because on their website there are absolutely no contact numbers, e-mail address's etc. I would have thought that the various commisioners, at least, would be proud to publicise their contact info! A "contact us" box with the other headers is a must on the CSA site!

why doesn't dstv have rai international anymore? They do but its "hidden". Go to "TV" on your remote, then select the "DSTV specialist" bouquet. Then look for RAI in the search mode you use for normal operation - press any of the up/down/left/right buttons. Don't forget to return to the normal bouquet afterwards! Good Luck