Team strips for specific dates?

[ufkacbln]

MTN-Qhubeka has been given a wild card entry into the Tour de France, they are the first African team to gain an entry

They have stated that they wish to wear a special jersey on "Mandela Day" (18th July)

Should this be something that is allowed?

 

[ufkacbln]

Wherein lies a deeper issue

The Mandela Day is an "international Day" declared by the UN

Should it be limited to this one team, or should ANY rider be allowed to wear the strip?

 

[Berk on a Bike]

In an interview before the wildcards were announced, Brian Smith suggested the Mandela Foundation's backing for MTN-Qhubeka could be instrumental in them getting a ride.

“[the Mandela Foundation's] dealings are with the French government. They have made it clear they would like to see an African team in the Tour de France, and maybe wearing a special jersey of 67 for Mandela Day.”

 

[Louch]

Dont see it as any different from the strips that had poppies on them last year . Not. A problem for me

 

[Turbo Rider]

So long as any other team can pick and choose which hero of theirs they'd like to celebrate on any other day then it shouldn't be an issue. Can't wait for Kenny Everett day

 

[ufkacbln]

.. or it gets political?

 

[Louch]

first african team wearing Mandela jersey on a single day is a great thing for getting the tour publicity in Africa. I see no way at all for any disagreement with it :S

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Sky changed their kit to black and green to promote Sky's rainforest rescue campaign, so it's not unprecedented.

 

[ufkacbln]

IIRC most of the strip changes were not just for one day.

I have no issues with the use of the Mandela strip, but it is the "one day only" aspect

My "concern" was the setting of a precedent for other political or national occasions...... Do the French get a "Bastille Day" strip?

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

IIRC most of the strip changes were not just for one day.

I have no issues with the use of the Mandela strip, but it is the "one day only" aspect

My "concern" was the setting of a precedent for other political or national occasions...... Do the French get a "Bastille Day" strip?

You "worry" too much

 

[Louch]

What does it matter what's they wear? What of they all wore Santa suits for Xmas day. Doesn't affect anything

 

[SWSteve]

[QUOTE="Cunobelin, post: 3483603, member: 363"Do the French get a "Bastille Day" strip?[/QUOTE]

They could all dress like the band Bastille

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

[QUOTE="Cunobelin, post: 3483603, member: 363"Do the French get a "Bastille Day" strip?

They could all dress like the band Bastille[/QUOTE]
Or use different colours and be Fruit Bastilles


I'll get my coat

 

[steveindenmark]

Of course they should be allowed to do this as a sign of respect. If all the riders want to do it they should be allowed to.

Sod the politics, this is a sport.

 

[oldroadman]

There's a whole lot of regulation around this. The UCI would have to agree, as would the race commissaires. You may recall what happened when LA's team decided to change kit for one day - the unedifying sight of riders changing at roadside, replacing numbers, extension of neutral zone, shambles. There's also the matter of political slogans and emblems being barred from kit. Whether "Mandela Day" is political or commemorates a towering figure, it's may still be seen as political in a way as there are ANC and communist party connections. All very messy and complicated. And as has been noted, opens a can of worms. Other teams may not object, but use it as precedent for their own kit changes, and the whole thing would be out of control. An impossible situation. A subtle change kit for an entire race is a different matter - old hands will recall ONCE doing this every TdF, changing their base colour from yellow to pink to avoid clashes with leaders jersey, but that worked for everyone. The Sky blue/green swop was again for the DURATION of races, not an odd day, and essentially apart from green detailing instead of blue the design did not alter.
So whatever anyone might think is OK may well not be. It's just possible that a modified design for the entire TdF might get approval.
Everything is a lot more complicated than it appears from a simple forum opinion!