Evans article

[Crackle]

There's a grudgingly complimentary article in the Guardian about Cadel Evans. Can't decide if it is complimentary, eventually, or just on the edge of damning him with faint praise.

Still, he's world champ after a brilliantly timed and committed attack, you can't take that away from him.

 

[rich p]

I read that and thought RW had pitched it about right. He was easy to dislike but has gradually earned our respect as several of us noted during the race on Sunday.
He does a lot of good work for charideee too

As an aside, Richard Williams gets as many plugs for cycling into his column as he can. He sounds like one of us!

 

[dellzeqq]

I'm sure he's one of us. The tone of the article seemed to me to be 'Cadel's a schmuck, but he's trying'. Fair enough

 

[yello]

Odd innit? Like there's a subtext of 'Cadel is a bit weird'... but I guess that's the point of the article. We all make judgements on people based on more than just their talent, ability and results. We all say Cadel deserved the win, a well timed attack, etc etc etc but there's still that 'yeah but' somehow implied.

Maybe if he moaned less. Or his attacks were normally more, well attacking instead of a bit limp. Maybe if he didn't have a silly little dog, or a squeaky voice, or whatever else it was that we find slightly upsetting about him. Maybe then we would say 'well deserved win' and actually mean it, credit him with it.

 

[Chuffy]

Odd innit? Like there's a subtext of 'Cadel is a bit weird'... but I guess that's the point of the article. We all make judgements on people based on more than just their talent, ability and results. We all say Cadel deserved the win, a well timed attack, etc etc etc but there's still that 'yeah but' somehow implied.

No great surprise really. People want two things from their heroes. Success and a personality that they can relate to in a positive way. With Cadel, what do you latch onto? The nearest point of comparison I can think of for Cadel is the big name divas, Diana Ross, Streisand, Mariah Carey even. He has this stroppy, shrill demanding attitude, but straight, male sports fans are never going to find that appealing. Far better to latch onto an arrogant, straight-talking (hah!), f*ck you Texan alpha male....

I have to say that I've spent a few years really hating Cadel and not because of peer pressure or because I'd read negative comments. He just seemed like such a whinging, wheel-sucking whiner. Now that he's finally won something, and with some style, I feel more well disposed towards him, but I still don't like him.

 

[Crackle]

I've always been drawn to cycling's characters, he fits that mould but yes, more Diva than Alpha. He should cycle in drag. Lily Savage?

 

[Chuffy]

I've always been drawn to cycling's characters, he fits that mould but yes, more Diva than Alpha. He should cycle in drag. Lily Savage?

Team Priscilla anyone?

Support vehicle!

 

[yello]

I've always been drawn to cycling's characters, he fits that mould but yes, more Diva than Alpha. He should cycle in drag. Lily Savage?

I've always thought that there's something of the Dame Edna about him, possum.

After a bit of soul searching, I find I neither like nor dislike him... but I don't take him seriously. Sadly, I think he'd take that as more of an insult!

 

[Dave5N]

No great surprise really. People want two things from their heroes. Success and a personality that they can relate to in a positive way. With Cadel, what do you latch onto? The nearest point of comparison I can think of for Cadel is the big name divas, Diana Ross, Streisand, Mariah Carey even. He has this stroppy, shrill demanding attitude, but straight, male sports fans are never going to find that appealing. Far better to latch onto an arrogant, straight-talking (hah!), f*ck you Texan alpha male....

I have to say that I've spent a few years really hating Cadel and not because of peer pressure or because I'd read negative comments. He just seemed like such a whinging, wheel-sucking whiner. Now that he's finally won something, and with some style, I feel more well disposed towards him, but I still don't like him.

FUKKIT. I hate it when you're so right.

 

[Chuffy]

FUKKIT. I hate it when you're so right.

Excuse me while I frame this special moment.

 

[Dave5N]

Excuse me while I frame this special moment.

Too late. I reconsidered. Anyway Cadel over BertieLance everytime.