Vicky P And A Troubled Life.

[StuAff]

Joe, you're absolutely right, and absolutely wrong. It's all very well making rules like that and expecting people to abide by them...but no use whatsoever when they don't. Team morale? Well, teams are made of individuals. Hurting Vicky like that, and taking the benefit of Scott's skills from her and the rest of the team, did no-one any good.

 

[dellzeqq]

Pendleton was a challenge too far for BC. The doco gave Dave Brailsford, Shane Sutton and Jan van Eijden the chance to speak their minds and, while they have undoubtedly produced the most successful Olympic team of all time, they clearly didn't get to grips with Pendleton. With hindsight the relationship with Scott Gardner was probably the best thing that could have happened for her cycling (setting aside the rest of her life) and it's a pity that BC didn't work that out.

 

[dellzeqq]

Didn't she think though that she should have been selected ahead of Laura Trott? If that was the case hindsight would suggest that BC got the decision right. I guess we'll never really know whether she was "snubbed" as the article suggests or whether BC told her she wasn't in the team with tact and sensitivity. After all, if there's 4 people chasing places in a 3 person team one of them is going to feel "snubbed". Also, the link is to a Belfast paper and Wendy is Northern Irish, so maybe the paper were just fighting her corner.

that's not quite right. She'd have got a medal if she had ridden one race. Given that they train as a team, given the assurances she received, that wouldn't have been too much to expect. As it turns out she would have been better off walking after the Worlds.

 

[thom]

Didn't she think though that she should have been selected ahead of Laura Trott? If that was the case hindsight would suggest that BC got the decision right. I guess we'll never really know whether she was "snubbed" as the article suggests or whether BC told her she wasn't in the team with tact and sensitivity. After all, if there's 4 people chasing places in a 3 person team one of them is going to feel "snubbed". Also, the link is to a Belfast paper and Wendy is Northern Irish, so maybe the paper were just fighting her corner.

I'm from Belfast too ! I'll fight her corner ! ;-)
Anyway, there was a guardian article too but also it was a story that did get hidden given the team's ultimate success to the point that only in Belfast were they keeping an eye on the story. I think she might have been led on a bit, she might well have been used in a qualification round, that it was maybe Rowsell who had been ill the day before the final or something and that in any case, it doesn't sound like Laura, Dani or Joanna really behaved well to her.
We don't know really but I suspect Wendy's actually pretty mature and dignified in her comportment and is being quite truthful. She did win the British National Time trial today though, so happy days !

 

[StuAff]

Pendleton was a challenge too far for BC. The doco gave Dave Brailsford, Shane Sutton and Jan van Eijden the chance to speak their minds and, while they have undoubtedly produced the most successful Olympic team of all time, they clearly didn't get to grips with Pendleton. With hindsight the relationship with Scott Gardner was probably the best thing that could have happened for her cycling (setting aside the rest of her life) and it's a pity that BC didn't work that out.

I can only agree. Here's a talented but troubled young lady. She's fallen in love with someone and might well spend the rest of her life with him, with resulting benefit to dealing with those troubles. He is also a valuable member of your coaching team. So, rather than considering the situation on its individual merits, you force them apart and damn the consequences. Only to rehire the guy when you realise what a crock that decision was.

 

[Doseone]

.... She'd have got a medal if she had ridden one race.

I didn't realise that. That does seem harsh. It seems as though BC don't do sentiment.

We don't know really but I suspect Wendy's actually pretty mature and dignified in her comportment and is being quite truthful. She did win the British National Time trial today though, so happy days !

Yes, she comes across that way, and that's great news about the Time Trial.

I really know very little about Laura, Dani and Joanna, other than what I saw from the Olympics coverage. Whilst they all seemed very likeable they did come across as a little immature - but then they are all young compared to me!

 

[Smokin Joe]

Must be great being so perfect in your whole life as you undoubtedly are

Try reading my post again and if you don't understand what I said ask someone to explain it to you. You may not agree with me, but you're reply was a rather stupid one.

 

[Slaav]

Try reading my post again and if you don't understand what I said ask someone to explain it to you. You may not agree with me, but you're reply was a rather stupid one.

I agree - why do some people seem to think being aggressive is always the correct route????

We have aopinions, they are simply that! as the old mantra about forums/fora suggest, treat it as you would face to face ina pub or similar. If it is OK to say 'Duck off loser' when you hear someone say something on a forum, I want to be there when you say it in a normal pub!

We all need to remember that we are grown ups and should behave like it!

Anyway, I agree about the immaturity and the giggly nature about the three losers - sorry, World record holders and gold medallists! BC made the wrong decision there.....

As an aside, I do wonder whether it would have been better for the team and the 'team' if they have given Wendy a ride at the Qually satge and therefore 'given' her a medal. Issue is, at that stage, no guarantee of a medal, let alone a GOLD!!!!!!!! (Did I mention that a couple of WR were broken along the way? )

Whatever, elite sport is tough, very; if tomorrow's champion backs off in case she doesnt make the relay team, then......

Just my thoughts and they don't even sit well with me!

 

[albion]

You can see this both ways.

If you 100% do as you are told then you are fine and all is balance.
Conversely having your own life and mind spells trouble

 

[Lee_M]

Try reading my post again and if you don't understand what I said ask someone to explain it to you. You may not agree with me, but you're reply was a rather stupid one.

that is of course your opinion and you are entitled to hold it.

but lifes too short...

 

[thom]

Yesterday's most read Guardian article : I'm not the perfect model of what an athlete should be.

 

[Blue Hills]

Apologies if this is veering slightly off topic. With regard to the comments above about Brit Cycling's apparently appalling treatment of her, I can't help but think that, incredibly impressive as its achievements are for sports cycling, that they are just too focussed/macho - I was personally sickened/profoundly disappointed by the time-trial so-called gamesmanship of Hoy and Co. I can well understand how a soul like Pendleton might have problems with that culture (yes I know she's a great fan of Hoy). The pre-Olympic documentary on her was brilliant. Good look to her and I hope she has many happy years riding her bike, but probably not round and round on a wooden track. Maybe she'll become the glamourous face of the CTC and take up cycle camping

 

[Blue Hills]

Thanks for the Guardian link thom.

I get the impression that despite her issues she's significantly saner than some of the British Cycling folks.

It was very clear after her last race that winning the medal wasn't the main thing going through her head - she was so damn ***ing relieved that the whole thing was over.

 

[Crankarm]

Vicky P was on Womans Hour this morning. I don't listen to WH but heard it purely by chance.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01mk8zl

 

[Dan_h]

I'm glad you are all so perfect and can guarantee you won't fall in love with someone inappropriate!

It wasn't a school
It wasn't illegal

It may have been frowned upon but I still think the behaviour of the management was appalling to someone they would know was so fragile.

No wonder she wants out

I hope none of you ever need support in a fragile time

While I agree with you most places I have worked have something in the contract about relationships with other members of staff and I have known a few people that have had to move departments or even leave the company due to entering a relationships that have been deemed to cause a conflict of interest in the business. I don't know about pro cycling but I guess it is possible that there is something similar in their contracts.