Mark Cavendish is speaking Italian

[Skip Madness]

In this video from 0:30 to 0:58 he is asked about next year's Giro. He doesn't speak much, he doesn't speak it well, but he is speaking it.

It always makes me wince a little bit when he gets interviewed in English at the Tour and the Giro (probably a hang-up about foreigners accommodating my own linguistic shortcomings whenever I've been abroad, and perceptions about anglophones generally). It was understandable in his first rides there, but I thought he'd have been better prepared in this year's races, and was beginning to worry he was going to stubbornly refuse to bother learning Italian or French. Nice to see he's trying to integrate.

 

[MajorMantra]

Yeah, it's good to see some effort being made. The Brits in general have a (deservedly) terrible reputation for bothering to integrate and speak to people in their own language.

Matthew

 

[yello]

His understanding of French was pretty good during the tour last year. A few times, he was responding (in English) to questions asked in French when he didn't have the ear piece in. Okay generic answers to generic questions, but none-the-less he was clearly able to understand, so fair play to him. The fact he's learning Italian just makes me more impressed (though I suspect the new girlfriend is an incentive!)

I was impressed by many of the (usually older) riders in last year's tour, listening and responding in French. Thor Hushvold for instance. Not their native tongue, and you know they speak English too.

That said, Cadel Evans was a tad embarrassing year before last. He was trying, to credit him, but the interviewers reverted to English because I suspect it was easier for them!

I'll refrain from responding (in any depth) to the integration thing... suffice to say, I know of Brits that have lived here in France for many years and still don't really speak a word of French. Each to their own etc but I just couldn't do it.

 

[Skip Madness]

(though I suspect the new girlfriend is an incentive!)

I thought that too!

I'll refrain from responding (in any depth) to the integration thing... suffice to say, I know of Brits that have lived here in France for many years and still don't really speak a word of French. Each to their own etc but I just couldn't do it.

Me neither. As you say, if it works for them it works for them. But I feel it's respectful to at least demonstrate that you've made an effort, especially if you are mixing with the natives a lot.

 

[iLB]

new GF??? in his autobiography he's engaged to someone as i recall...

 

[Keith Oates]

There is nothing like a 'long haired dictionary' to help you learn a language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Crankarm]

Depends though what words she teaches him ......... .

 

[maurice]

new GF??? in his autobiography he's engaged to someone as i recall...

Miss Italy, no less

 

[Cathryn]

DAMN being pregnant...I speak Italian, I ride a bike. What's wrong with me apart from the bump???

More seriously, I'm sad. I clearly know nothing and this isn't 'Hello' but I'm always sad when a long term couple break up and the bloke gets a flashy new girlfriend.

 

[Hont]

I think riders are mostly wary of being mis-interpreted and mis-quoted by the press if they speak in a language that is not their first language. The higher profile the rider the more noticeable this tendency (Armstong and Contador usually prefer to speak in their native tongues for example).

 

[aldensmith1979]

In this video from 0:30 to 0:58 he is asked about next year's Giro. He doesn't speak much, he doesn't speak it well, but he is speaking it.

It always makes me wince a little bit when he gets interviewed in English at the Tour and the Giro (probably a hang-up about foreigners accommodating my own linguistic shortcomings whenever I've been abroad, and perceptions about anglophones generally). It was understandable in his first rides there, but I thought he'd have been better prepared in this year's races, and was beginning to worry he was going to stubbornly refuse to bother learning Italian or French. Nice to see he's trying to integrate.

Hi,
I will suggest you learn Italian Language because demand for this language is growing very fast. This can benefit you in your future. I too have benefited from learning this language.

 

[Cathryn]

Anch'io parlo italiano, ma credo che tu sia un troll, signore! Ti piace il ciclismo?

 

[rich p]

E troll una parole in Italiano, Caterina?

 

[raindog]

Nico Roche speaks excellent French and David Millar's pretty good too. Nice to see Cav having a go in Italian. Apparently he loves Italy.

 

[Skip Madness]

Hi,
I will suggest you learn Italian Language because demand for this language is growing very fast. This can benefit you in your future. I too have benefited from learning this language.

Già ho imparato un po' d'italiano prima di andare ad Italia per vedere il Giro scorso anno!

E troll una parole in Italiano, Caterina?

Credo sì. Anche un verbo. Siamo trollati.