Yes, Beryl was good. But she is not going to win this year's SPOTY. The problem amongst the cycling community, is that for once we have a range of deserving cyclists from Nicole through Cav to Chris. The problem this brings is the split vote. We will be our own worse enemies. Sadly, it will probably be academic as I think Hamilton has it sewn up, followed by Adlington. Chris will probably squeak into 3rd place. I think CW had it pretty well covered in their article that our only chance is to galvanise the community behind one rider - Chris Hoy.
BBC - Sports Personality of the Year
- Thread starter claver58
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Skip Madness
New Member
I haven't, no, although I am aware of her many great successes. My point is that we don't know how she would have done throughout a present-day season. Her time-trial records more than stand the test of time and she would undoubtedly have swept up against the clock in the modern TT; but we don't know if she would have won the Grande Boucle against Longo or Van Moorsel. Or the Giro d'Italia against Luperini or Canins. Or the World Cup against Cooke or Arndt. That is history's fault, not hers. I in no way doubt her greatness - I just think that Nicole Cooke can hardly improve much more and is pretty much at the pinnacle of her sport, and that should be recognised irrespective of Burton's achievements from a different era.itisaboutthebike said:
For what it is worth, I do understand the "United behind Hoy" approach CW and British fans are taking, as Cooke will likely be on the list again whereas Hoy possibly may not get the chance.
kennykool said:Hmailton, Murray, Hoy, Adlington Is the young Manx lad called Cav not featuring in this list????? 4 Stages at the Tour for goodness sakes!!!!
I think Hamilton will win hands down with Murray/Hoy in second or 3rd not sure which way round. Although lets not forget Joe Calzone!!!!!
Murray would have been pushing Hamilton for the title if he'd actually won the US Open. Hoy may pip him to second tho after his 3 golds at the olympics.
I reckon LA will win overseas personality
Great debate. Has there ever been a year when there are so many deserving sportsmen & women?
Murray is our arguably our greatest ever tennis player, but I can't see him winning this year- nor should he after stuffing up the Olympics. His time will come when he wins a major.
I wouldn't complain if Addlington got it but she's young with many more major championships ahead including at least one more Olympics.
A crying shame that they don't have male & female categories. Would really like to see Nicole Cooke get recognised.
Expect it will come down to fight between Hamilton & Hoy (although boxers often seem to get loads of votes in SPOTY). Of course it has to be Hoy- just hope there are enough people who don't see F1 as a proper sport. Sadly I reckon I'm in a minority here.
Tim Bennet.
Entirely Average Member
- Location
- S of Kendal
I had! Now there's no chance of any cyclist getting in the top three. Motorsport, tennis and boxing can find ten fans for every one cycling fan to vote for their sport.
Our only real hope is the Olympic cycling team gets the 'team prize'. But I should think they'll just lump all the Olympic Sports together and collectively they'll get the team award. Can't have losers like the athletes feeling left out.
But then more likely is that Accrington Stanley will get the team prize for returning to the league after 2000 years, so the Olympic team will have to content with a 'special mention' from Adrian Childs.
Flying_Monkey
Recyclist
- Location
- Odawa
Remember that this is about 'personality' too... Hamilton doesn't really have one to speak of, and Murray still acts like a sulky teenager (though at least he is his own man). Addlington it just what the broadcasters like - she's the girl next door who breaks records. Hoy for me this time, because I don't think there will be a better time for him. Cooke will go on being brilliant for quite a while yet - and when Cavendish wins the Green jersey at the Tour, then he'll be in with a shot.
In absolute terms, I'm 50–50 about voting for Cooke or Hoy because I think that they both deserve it on merit but, sadly, I don’t think Cooke is in with a chance, so I'm going to vote for Hoy. What I would hate to see happen is a split cyclist vote that lets another candidate get first place.
Maybe we should have a vote here regarding which cyclist to support and all agree vote for that winner in the SPOTY – or is that too conspiratorial?
Maybe we should have a vote here regarding which cyclist to support and all agree vote for that winner in the SPOTY – or is that too conspiratorial?
kennykool
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Perthshire
Not at all Workers.....I was thinking of suggesting the forum "rigged" the vote in someway anyway. Surely it will be online voting?
The BBC will probably "rig" the vote themselves.....they do have previous.
If only Ant and Dec were presenting the SPOTY!!!!!
The BBC will probably "rig" the vote themselves.....they do have previous.
If only Ant and Dec were presenting the SPOTY!!!!!
mondobongo
Über Member
How have the Showjumpers done this year???
Seriously its going to take an organised vote with cyclists singing off the same hymn sheet. Its too early for Cav as someone said lets get the Green Jersey Win and go vote Cav for that year.
Big push for Hoy then.
Seriously its going to take an organised vote with cyclists singing off the same hymn sheet. Its too early for Cav as someone said lets get the Green Jersey Win and go vote Cav for that year.
Big push for Hoy then.
This used to be called "BBC sportsperson of the year".
Now its "Sports personality of the year".
I can just about remember when Major Tom won it.
It was won on merit, not personality and charisma.
The person who wins it now will be chosen by the viewing public and they will make their choice based upon who gives the best 'off pitch' performance; who has the 'nicest smile'.
Now its "Sports personality of the year".
I can just about remember when Major Tom won it.
It was won on merit, not personality and charisma.
The person who wins it now will be chosen by the viewing public and they will make their choice based upon who gives the best 'off pitch' performance; who has the 'nicest smile'.
Cloverleaf
New Member
Sorry guys but you've all missed the most important medals won by British cyclists this year:
Gee Atherton
Mens Downhill World Champion
3rd Overall World Cup series
Rachel Atherton -
Womens Downhill World Champion
1st Overall World Cup series
Josh Bryceland
Junior Mens Downhill World Champion
1st Overall World Cup series
We nearly had Dan Atherton (all three are brother/sister) as the 4x World Champion if he hadn't broken his collarbone in practice. We've been at the top of the Downhill standings for years and yet it doesn't get a look in. Barely any press coverage of last year either despite the Junior winner being Scottish and winning the title when the event was held in Fort William. Hell, I'd gladly see any rider win the award but I'd rather see one of these guys take it having seen the dedication that they have put in with virtually no support from the guys like British Cycling compared to the vast sums that they have sunk into the road and track world over the years.
However much I dislike Hamilton, if he wins, he deserves to. Poeple in a lot of sports play down how much effort and hard work is involved in motor racing and it would be just reward for two great seasons (and that's coming from somebody who would support anyone but Hamilton in a Grand Prix!)
Vote for Hoy or any of the other track riders if you like but don't forget the incredible performances put in from a family living in rural North Wales on the most difficult off road trails in the world.
Gee Atherton
Mens Downhill World Champion
3rd Overall World Cup series
Rachel Atherton -
Womens Downhill World Champion
1st Overall World Cup series
Josh Bryceland
Junior Mens Downhill World Champion
1st Overall World Cup series
We nearly had Dan Atherton (all three are brother/sister) as the 4x World Champion if he hadn't broken his collarbone in practice. We've been at the top of the Downhill standings for years and yet it doesn't get a look in. Barely any press coverage of last year either despite the Junior winner being Scottish and winning the title when the event was held in Fort William. Hell, I'd gladly see any rider win the award but I'd rather see one of these guys take it having seen the dedication that they have put in with virtually no support from the guys like British Cycling compared to the vast sums that they have sunk into the road and track world over the years.
However much I dislike Hamilton, if he wins, he deserves to. Poeple in a lot of sports play down how much effort and hard work is involved in motor racing and it would be just reward for two great seasons (and that's coming from somebody who would support anyone but Hamilton in a Grand Prix!)
Vote for Hoy or any of the other track riders if you like but don't forget the incredible performances put in from a family living in rural North Wales on the most difficult off road trails in the world.
Flying_Monkey
Recyclist
- Location
- Odawa
If there was a family category the Athertons would definitely take it! But face facts, downhill is just simply not well known enough to expect anyone outside of cyclists (and probably outside of other downhillers) to know or care much, sad though that may be.
Cloverleaf
New Member
I just found it sad that not one person on here, a supposed cycling forum, had either heard of or considered them if they had. A real shame. We've been good at so many disciplines within cycling for years without the need for lottery funding...
Dave5N
Über Member
- Location
- Outside The Little Nibble
Cloverleaf said:
I don't understand. All due respect to them but in what way are these the most important medals won by British cyclists this year - compared, say, to Hoy's three Olympic Golds?
John the Monkey
Frivolous Cyclist
- Location
- Crewe
Or Cooke's unprecedented World Road and Olympic Road (in the same year) double?Dave5N said:
mondobongo
Über Member
Cloverleaf said:
Heard of them cheered them on, don't forget Peaty and all that he has won might be approaching the end of his career but a fantastic downhiller and so cool to watch.
Sadly Mountain Biking whatever discipline has even lower exposure than road and track cycling. I remember a big push a couple of years ago when we tried to get Steve Peat onto the shortlist no joy. Dissenters were saying we should have concentrated on Nicole Cooke.
As to the lack of mentions on a cycling forum re the Athertons 'Racing Sub Forum' tends to be 99% road it was not so long ago that we had surprise when BMX was mentioned and we are pretty bloody good at that as well.
Probably too many disciplines across the two wheels to ever get us united Boxing and F1 more straightforward 1 driver 2 boxers.
