Vuelta a Espana 2023 (spoilers)

[matticus]

can't wait to hear the excuses tomorrow.

Have you joined the Remco excuses bandwagon? Or do you have anything useful to contribute??

Oh hang on :

I'm sure it was a bad day for him, but he's quick to engage with the press even when he doesn't win and sometimes to the detriment of the winners.

The press only interview who they want to. The riders don't HAVE to give interviews, in fact it's for our benefit (and I guess the press - as they all have time/inches to fill). What an absurd criticism

 

[matticus]

Had a bit of a shock yesterday: where's Orla??

It was only this morning that my brain made the connection with the sad news (on the radio) from Morocco. At least I assume that's why she's off air, I haven't heard anything else ... :-/

p.s. in other commentary news, N has said she would rather watch rugby this week than listen to that idiot on the Vuelta highlights! :O

 

[Dogtrousers]

The press only interview who they want to. The riders don't HAVE to give interviews, in fact it's for our benefit (and I guess the press - as they all have time/inches to fill). What an absurd criticism

The red/yellow/rosa jersey wearers have to I think. It's often cited as the reason why major GC teams might "lend out" the jersey. @mjr said recently that it was all of the classification jerseys so I guess the interviews and the podium and all that malarkey is part and parcel of the same thing. Possibly/probably includes the stage winner/podium too I guess.

I imagine other riders get interviewed if the press think they are interesting enough, and they feel like being interviewed.

But yeah, I think criticising someone because they've given an interview is a bit absurd.

 

[Alex321]

The press only interview who they want to. The riders don't HAVE to give interviews, in fact it's for our benefit (and I guess the press - as they all have time/inches to fill). What an absurd criticism

I think quite a few of them do have to. I'm pretty sure it is a contractual requirement in the big stage races that all those who will be on the podium have to give interviews - which means the top 3 from the stage, and all the jersey wearers.

But virtually all riders will give interviews if asked to, just that few outside of the above get asked, plus a few "big names".

 

[Dogtrousers]

But virtually all riders will give interviews if asked to, just that few outside of the above get asked, plus a few "big names".

Years ago I recall a young Mark Cavendish who had just most definitely NOT won a stage (and thus not slated for the press conference) having a mic shoved in his face and a reporter asked "What have you learned from today?". Cav replied "Nothing" and rode off. There was a lot packed into that one word, including his opinion of the reporter.

 

[mjr]

I think quite a few of them do have to. I'm pretty sure it is a contractual requirement in the big stage races that all those who will be on the podium have to give interviews - which means the top 3 from the stage, and all the jersey wearers.

But virtually all riders will give interviews if asked to, just that few outside of the above get asked, plus a few "big names".

Not top 3 from the stage. Only the stage winner appears on the podium (plus jerseys, combativity prize and so on). Carlton often refers to second or third as a stage podium placing but he's detached from reality. Again.

Most riders will interview if asked but it's now more difficult to ask them because, since 2020, the unwashed disease -ridden media are no longer allowed near the team buses at the start or finish. Only the organiser's cameras go there now. Some media can text the PR officers or riders and ask them to go to the mixed zone, but far from all and it's easier to ignore or "miss until later" than a crew stood by the bus door.

 

[matticus]

I think quite a few of them do have to. I'm pretty sure it is a contractual requirement in the big stage races that all those who will be on the podium have to give interviews - which means the top 3 from the stage, and all the jersey wearers.

You should read the full context of my post. The accusation was of Remco "...but he's quick to engage with the press even when he doesn't win".
Either way, it's a crass criticism. (and no-one has to publish those interviews! :P )

Context is everything!!!

 

[Jameshow]

Had a bit of a shock yesterday: where's Orla??

It was only this morning that my brain made the connection with the sad news (on the radio) from Morocco. At least I assume that's why she's off air, I haven't heard anything else ... :-/

p.s. in other commentary news, N has said she would rather watch rugby this week than listen to that idiot on the Vuelta highlights! :O

What's happened?

 

[Dogtrousers]

What's happened?

Her husband is Moroccan so I assume there may be a family connection.

 

[Alex321]

What's happened?

Major earthquake in Morocco (and her husband is Moroccan).

 

[Adam4868]

What's happened?

Remcos wife is of Moroccan heritage.

View: https://twitter.com/EvenepoelRemco/status/1700916379707113957?t=8PJHar2SttE3rEPziX_gXA&s=19

 

[tarric]

Have you joined the Remco excuses bandwagon? Or do you have anything useful to contribute??

Maybe you should follow your own advice below.

You should read the full context of my post.

The press only interview who they want to. The riders don't HAVE to give interviews, in fact it's for our benefit (and I guess the press - as they all have time/inches to fill). What an absurd criticism

No they interview the riders that want to give interviews other than the podium, stage winner etc who have to give interviews.
And some riders give lots of interviews and some not so much.

Most riders will interview if asked but it's now more difficult to ask them because, since 2020, the unwashed disease -ridden media are no longer allowed near the team buses at the start or finish. Only the organiser's cameras go there now. Some media can text the PR officers or riders and ask them to go to the mixed zone, but far from all and it's easier to ignore or "miss until later" than a crew stood by the bus door.

Now on Evenenpoel, he's a good young rider in one day races and time trials a descent stage racer in the 1 week races but not IMO up there with the best when it comes to being a grand tour GC contender.
Now I'm sure he will win multiple stages now he is no longer in the hunt for GC and had he come to the Vuelta as a stage hunter or with the intension of going for the KOM fine but he didn't he came to win the GC.
He's young and will no doubt improve but only time will tell if he will become a top GC contender.

 

[Jameshow]

Her husband is Moroccan so I assume there may be a family connection.

I see.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Now on Evenenpoel, he's a good young rider in one day races and time trials a descent stage racer in the 1 week races but not IMO up there with the best when it comes to being a grand tour GC contender.

Except he's already won one GT.

Yeah, I know, Primoz coulda shoulda woulda have taken back the deficit he needed to win the if he hadn't crashed. (Shakes fist at Fred Wright)

Now, I wouldn't bet on him against the Jumbo boys, or Pog. But he's a contender, like the rest of the contenders. And he's certainly added some excitement to this race so far.

 

[Adam4868]

Now on Evenenpoel, he's a good young rider in one day races and time trials a descent stage racer in the 1 week races but not IMO up there with the best when it comes to being a grand tour GC contender.
Now I'm sure he will win multiple stages now he is no longer in the hunt for GC and had he come to the Vuelta as a stage hunter or with the intension of going for the KOM fine but he didn't he came to win the GC.
He's young and will no doubt improve but only time will tell if he will become a top GC contender.

Take a look at his palmares and his wins already this year alone... I mean he's already won the Vuelta age 22 and was on course to win the Giro this year before the dreaded lurgy finished that.
Depends on his opposition I suppose or should I say Jumbo 🙄 Same for Pogi by the looks of it.I guess the question is do we want riders like Pogi and Remco to focus on one race ? Or do we want them to go for everything and be exciting to watch ?
Definitely the second choice for me can't wait to see Pogi v Remco 😍