If women's cycling was televised, would you watch it?

Harrybelafonte

As it stands we can watch women's track racing and sometimes I can get women's MTB and DH, but I never see women's road racing footage, or even highlights.

Yesterday, Evie Stevens won La Fleché Wallone Femmes after beating previous winner Marianne Vos. I was somewhat aware of Stevens because of interviews in Cycle Sport and Bicycling magazines. At the time it struck me as odd that we (or many of us at least) can be so aware of cyclists like Pendleton, Kanis, Claire, Vogel etc, on the track, which is a less followed sport than those who participate in greater numbers in teams on the road.

From my limited experience on the track and dealing with a child learning to ride the track, I got the impression than the young girls who attend can connect their interest with TV coverage (rather than family members etc). If this coverage spread to road racing the numbers of younger girls especially who might be influenced to take up cycling would increase, or at least show the general populace that women's competitive cycling exists.

I've heard guys say they'd never watch women play football or many other sports, but there's a precedence in cycling with the track. So, if instead of the last 80km f a men's race on eurosport, we had the last 40km of the women's then the men's last 40k, Would you watch it?

lennymc

the womens giro was televised last year on eurosport iirc, I watched it. Wasnt the same on screen spectacle as the mens race, but still good racing iirc. Its the only time i remember watching womens racing. Not sure if thats because its not on, or I just never noticed it before.

Wishbone Ash

It's on Eurosport occasionally.

(The main difference is that the bums look much bigger! )

Shadow78

Depending on the camera angles I could imagine it would be watchable

kincsem

I have basic tv channels only but the womens road race and TT in the last Olympics were good.

el tel

If they made it a bit more like beach volley ball, yes.

Lumen

I'd watch it if it was interesting. I have no idea, having never watched a pro womens race.

ashleey

http://www.tunc.biz/205_victoria_pendleton.JPG

Yes

deandean

I'd watch it if the competition is there.

Thread wouldn't be complete without this:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1579071/queen_bicycle_race_uncensored/

ednwireland

i was looking fo the report on la fleche wallonne and couldnt find it (just the results on cycling news. so yes i would watch it.

and honestly some of the comments on here, jeez

anyway hoping to watch the womens olympic road race, (flying in on sat so will miss the mens ) will be at the olympic TT as well


http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/532499/luckless-pooley-hit-by-race-motorbike-at-fl-che-wallonne.html

Emma Pooley (AA Drink-Leontien.nl) failed to finish the Flèche Wallonne this afternoon, as her challenge for a second title was derailed by a freak motorbike crash and a series of mechanical problems.

In front, American climber Evelyn Stevens (Specialized-Lululemon) beat favourite Marianne Vos (Rabobank) in slow-motion battle for the line on the Mur de Huy, coming back past her with 50 metres to go.

It was not Pooley's day. While riding at the front of the bunch early on, a motorbike crashed into her as it tried to overtake the peloton. Several other riders came down too.

ashleey

Sorry about that. It was an easy tap in

Tenzor07

Always watch the Womens XC/DH MTB'ing, some great racing there..

Have only seen one or two womens road races, although not as fast as the mens, it tends to be very tactical.. Though I'm sure a pro-womens race is still faster than any men's amateur racing..

daragh_

Yes. I've 3 daughters I'm trying to brainwash, guide gently towards cycling and, apart from my own interest, I think it might help spark their curiosity.

Harrybelafonte

ednwireland wrote: »

i was looking fo the report on la fleche wallonne and couldnt find it (just the results on cycling news. so yes i would watch it.

and honestly some of the comments on here, jeez

I avoided mentioning anything about the objectivization of women in sport for sexual gratification in the original post because it's not worth it. I figured the first couple of comments would be "hurr hurr look I'm a man" types anyway. It's not a one sided subject either IMHO, so I'll leave it at that.

I only saw the podium at the end on RAI tbh. (I recognised the team kit from riding the Tour of Flanders sportive this year and speaking to someone decked out in it. Not sure if she was a team member but there were a few of them. The team racing had donethe recce the day before.) but it was all over my twitter feed, mostly because it's a big win for an American and they hope that it'll raise profile at home I think.

Harrybelafonte

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Always watch the Womens XC/DH MTB'ing, some great racing there..

Womens 4x in the world champs last year was awesome.

fat bloke

I think it's a "build it and they will come" parallel. -Televise it and it will be watched. Fcuk sake it works for curling, and Desperate Housewives doesn't it?

I was at the top of the Oude Kwaremont for the Tour of Flanders and the girls came by first. They weren't hanging about! Although even over there where they're rabid about cycling, there was precious little fanfare or interest in the women's race by comparison with the mens...

buffalo

ednwireland wrote: »

anyway hoping to watch the womens olympic road race, (flying in on sat so will miss the mens ) will be at the olympic TT as well

What's the story with the TTs? Heading over myself to watch the road races, looking forward to it already.

edit: also, yes. I think I'd watch it if it were on and advertised. Didn't even realise the Giro del Trentino was on, only I was setting up the box to record Flèche Wallonne and I noticed it. Also there's a Cavendish programme on tonight, or tomorrow night.

Tenzor07

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Womens 4x in the world champs last year was awesome.

Shame 4x is not a UCI event anymore, though the racing at last weeks XCO Eliminator was awesome.. Annie Last(Team GB) is a savage..

ROK ON

I am attaching links to two pieces that British pro rider Ben Greenwood penned last year. I feel they raise an interesting issue - about the reality of womans sport and the sporting audience (largely male).
I dont agree with all he has written, but I found them a fascinating read.

http://www.velonation.com/Blogs/Ben-Greenwood/ID/126/Un-equal-Opportunities.aspx

http://www.velonation.com/Blogs/Ben-Greenwood/ID/130/Un-equal-Opportunities-Part-2.aspx

I have watched Ras na mBan twice, and the people going up Molls Gap were literally busting a gut doing so - same as the men in the Ras. No real difference in effort by and large. But as a man, when I watch sport, I dot watch womans sport on TV - I dont know why. However, rather than asking a predominantly male audience as to why they dont watch female sports, maybe ask woman as to why they dont?

I am a father to two girls and I would like them to find enjoyment in sport - I always try and point out female sports to them - so in that regard I will watch some of the olympics to show them that woman are active and excelling in sport.

Know as much as I like a bit of gratuitous soft porn as the the next man, I feel that certain female sports stars (and cycling is no exception here) does itself no favours by agreeing to glamour photo shoots - if you want to be taken seriously as an athlete it is a no no in my book. Leave that to the actual glamour models. I was interested to here about what Emaa Pooley had to say about this - she comes across as very level headed.

Cookie_Monster

If women's cycling was televised, would you watch it?

:pac:

seamus

I was going to make a comment about "only if they wear bikinis" or something along those lines, but then daragh started talking about his kids and sucked all the fun out of it...

I don't really watch any sport on TV as it is unless it's an Irish match on the telly in the pub, so I can't say I would bother.

nak

Podium Cafe http://www.podiumcafe.com/ has good coverage of women's races. Eurosport is showing some highlights this Friday of a couple of women's classics.

I was at the CX world champs in Belgium, and the women's race was getting huge cheers (especially the sole Belgian in the race). Marianne Vos was amazing to watch.

It's sad that side of the sport doesn't get more attention when you have strong riders like Vos and Kristin Armstrong (who's TT times would place her in the top 20-25 in a pro men's race).

and boys, the perving thing works both ways: http://bangabledudesinprocycling.com/

trad

deandean wrote: »

I'd watch it if the competition is there.

Thread wouldn't be complete without this:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1579071/queen_bicycle_race_uncensored/

And I always thought Freddie Mercury was gay

Lumen

ROK ON wrote: »

now as much as I like a bit of gratuitous soft porn as the the next man, I feel that certain female sports stars (and cycling is no exception here) does itself no favours by agreeing to glamour photo shoots - if you want to be taken seriously as an athlete it is a no no in my book. Leave that to the actual glamour models. I was interested to here about what Emaa Pooley had to say about this - she comes across as very level headed.

As far as I know neither Emma Pooley, Victoria Pendleton or any other high level female cyclist has done anything remotely describable as "soft porn".

If there's no nips it's glamourous, not glamour.

</porno pedant>

DirkVoodoo

Yes, dear God, yes.

daragh_

seamus wrote: »

I was going to make a comment about "only if they wear bikinis" or something along those lines, but then daragh started talking about his kids and sucked all the fun out of it...

sorry!

nak - thanks a million, now I have to explain to my collegaues why I was looking at 'Bangable Dudes' :eek:

ROK ON

Lumen wrote: »

As far as I know neither Emma Pooley, Victoria Pendleton or any other high level female cyclist has done anything remotely describable as "soft porn".

If there's no nips it's glamourous, not glamour.

</porno pedant>

That was my point. Pooley has done an interview in the past with either Procycling or Cyclingnews, and she used the interview to rail against female cyclists that do.

nak

nak - thanks a million, now I have to explain to my collegaues why I was looking at 'Bangable Dudes' :eek:[/QUOTE]

You're welcome, it's great isn't it At least when women do those kind of sites, it's done with a sense of humour and not pure sleaze. I was surprised it wasn't on the banned list at my work.

I can understand why some female riders do things like the Cyclepassion calendar, magazine shoots etc. Firstly, most of them don't earn much from the sport, and secondly, is nice to look glamourous for a change when you spend all your time on a bike, something that is not perceived as being particularly feminine. Men in white vans seem to love shouting "lesbians" at groups of female cyclists.

el tel

Sensible answer time.

I think women's road racing is underappreciated. Nicole Cooks and Longos achievements are shamefully overlooked.

I watch women's track racing sometines.

But
I would be more inclined to watch a women's road race on tv if was a different event or ran over different courses to mens as I really couldn't be bothered watching the same thing twice. I would watch a 30 min hifhlights show but I doubt I could watch a full four hours coverage of a mens race and 5 hours of women covering the same route. The only exception to this would be a muddy Paris Roubaix.

Lumen

nak wrote: »

Men in white vans seem to love shouting "lesbians" at groups of female cyclists.

They shout "******s" at the men. It always makes me hungry. Mmmm, ******s.

edit: you're going to have to fill in the blanks because boards objects to references to meatballs

nak

Lumen wrote: »

They shout "******s" at the men. It always makes me hungry. Mmmm, ******s.

edit: you're going to have to fill in the blanks because boards objects to references to meatballs

Bet they wouldn't shout that at this man

jameverywhere

Do I have to take out my feminist hat for this thread?

I don't own a television or watch any sports really, but I think I would prefer to watch female racers over male racers anyday. Probably because I can identify with them more, but also because I think they deserve it.

I also hate it when female athletes feel compelled to "make up for" their "lack" of femininity from sport by doing glamour shoots and photo ops etc. Why can't women be appreciated for their strength and talent without being forced into some feminine mould? I guess sure if they want to look pretty or whatever but it has nothing to do with sports and to me it just looks like people are trying to say, "look we're not lesbos we promise" which is a load of crock anyway.

I hate it even more, though, when men make stupid comments about only watching sports to see women in bikinis or like in beach volleyball, because it trivalises women athletes and reduces women to being eye candy and sexual objects. So, chew on that for a while.

el tel wrote: »

But
I would be more inclined to watch a women's road race on tv if was a different event or ran over different courses to mens as I really couldn't be bothered watching the same thing twice. I would watch a 30 min hifhlights show but I doubt I could watch a full four hours coverage of a mens race and 5 hours of women covering the same route. The only exception to this would be a muddy Paris Roubaix.

This makes a lot of sense and I can totally agree with it. Having two identical games or races one after another, women then men or men then women, makes people have to pick between which one they want to watch since watching both would be boring. Having different races, different days, etc., would liven it up a lot.

Lumen

jameverywhere wrote: »

I hate it even more, though, when men make stupid comments about only watching sports to see women in bikinis or like in beach volleyball, because it trivalises women athletes and reduces women to being eye candy and sexual objects.

You wouldn't be a fan of the Lingerie Football League then?

Lusk Doyle

jameverywhere wrote: »

I hate it even more, though, when men make stupid comments about only watching sports to see women in bikinis or like in beach volleyball, because it trivalises women athletes and reduces women to being eye candy and sexual objects.

I fail to see the problem here. Probably because I am distracted by the beach volleyball match I'm watching now...:pac:

jameverywhere

Lumen wrote: »

You wouldn't be a fan of the Lingerie Football League then?

¬ _¬


@ Lusk Doyle

Spend your whole life being judged more on how you look than any other aspect of your self, and you might get a little ticked off too. (and told you're too fat, too ugly, too hairy, to stocky, too whatever to be desirable--as if who desires you is more important than what YOU desire)

Lusk Doyle

jameverywhere wrote: »

@ Lusk Doyle

Spend your whole life being judged more on how you look than any other aspect of your self, and you might get a little ticked off too. (and told you're too fat, too ugly, too hairy, to stocky, too whatever to be desirable--as if who desires you is more important than what YOU desire)

You ain't the only one with issues like that. I get told plenty of things similar to the above. Rise above it (if possible, if not, talk to someone).

jameverywhere

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

You ain't the only one with issues like that.

Of course I'm not. About fifty percent of the human race has the same problem.

Lumen

jameverywhere wrote: »

About fifty percent of the human race has tthe same problem.

Yeah, I'm in the ugly half too.

jameverywhere

Look, I'm sorry, but if you're not a woman you can't pretend to be all persecuted and downtrodden in the same way that women are and historically have been. I can understand if you want to make light of feminism and feminists because you enjoy your male privelege, but don't pretend to be in the same boat as us if you're not.

back on topic... women's (fully-clothed, competitive, eye-candy-free) racing ftw. That's all I gotta say.

Lumen

jameverywhere wrote: »

Look, I'm sorry, but if you're not a woman you can't pretend to be all persecuted and downtrodden in the same way that women are and historically have been.

You're right, only women have been persecuted. Those Jews should STFU.

jameverywhere

Lumen wrote: »

You're right, only women have been persecuted. Those Jews should STFU.

"in the same way", I said.

Jews and women certainly weren't persecuted and downtrodden in the exact same way...?

Lumen

jameverywhere wrote: »

"in the same way", I said.

Jews and women certainly weren't persecuted and downtrodden in the exact same way...?

People discriminate negatively based on all sorts of criteria. Gender, race, culture, accent, stupidity, looks.

You appear to be claiming special rights to be offended, that's all.

fat bloke

Lumen wrote: »

You appear to be claiming special rights to be offended, that's all.

Ha ha ha. Pot, Kettle, based on this exchange. -I'm not sure i can spot the reactionary party!

Lumen

fat bloke wrote: »

Ha ha ha. Pot, Kettle, based on this exchange. -I'm not sure i can spot the reactionary party!

Nothing offends me. Systemic objectification of female cyclists brings shame on those who do it, and LFL is just pitiful.

Actually, short socks and aerobars on hybrids offend me. And the word "wheelset". And cat 4s tossing bottles. And Lance. But that's it for today.

squeaky crank

Lumen wrote: »

You're right, only women have been persecuted. Those Jews should STFU.

The problem with someone using the word 'persecuted' is that you get the other side polarising the argument by associating it with the holocaust. Lumen should we have a Persecution League Table - so we can determine who has the right to be classed as 'persecuted'. If you dont quality then you can only be 'Oppressed' or just 'Picked-on'

Lusk Doyle

squeaky crank wrote: »

The problem with someone using the word 'persecuted' is that you get the other side polarising the argument by associating it with the holocaust. Lumen should we have a Persecution League Table - so we can determine who has the right to be classed as 'persecuted'. If you dont quality then you can only be 'Oppressed' or just 'Picked-on'

Or just classed as a "C...B"

Lovely expression :pac:

nak

Another link to some great coverage of women's racing (particularly CX)

http://vimeo.com/petitesreines

jameverywhere

Lumen wrote: »

People discriminate negatively based on all sorts of criteria. Gender, race, culture, accent, stupidity, looks.

You appear to be claiming special rights to be offended, that's all.

Naw, I just reserve the right to complain when people make tired jokes about preferring women in bikinis when doing *insert activity here*.

Lumen

jameverywhere wrote: »

Naw, I just reserve the right to complain when people make tired jokes about preferring women in bikinis when doing *insert activity here*.

I genuinely believe, regardless of gender, that swimwear makes any activity better.

Raam

Lumen wrote: »

I genuinely believe, regardless of gender, that swimwear makes any activity better.

Swimwear plus cycling... do you realise where you are heading here?

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

Swimwear plus cycling... do you realise where you are heading here?

Ah. Good point.