TCC
Tokyo Cycling Club
- Jun 30, 2013
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http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/08/t...-crits-worlds-and-the-farce-that-is-the-iaaf/
Interesting article (regardless of who actually wrote it, and whether they are actually a secret pro, or not).
The part about the post-Tour Criteriums proves everything we said about the Saitama Criterium to be absolutely right.
"If you don't know much about the post-Tour crits, let me explain. For the week or two after the Tour towns and cities across Europe all organise invitational criteriums, showcasing many of the guys that have competed in the Grand Boucle. The bunch at these events isn't just made up of professionals though; strong amateurs are invited from local clubs to race with us. There are also local pros that may not have raced the Tour.
The result is almost always fixed before we roll out. For instance, you'll see guys like Chris Froome outsprinting Peter Sagan for a win — something that would never happen in real life. But as the organisers want a spectacle and it's their cash paying for the big names to attend, that is what you will often see. The thing is, the amateurs can often make it tough for us to accomplish the result we're supposed to.
What usually happens is that the organisers gather everyone together and explain how they want it to pan out. I'm sure the amateurs instantly forget this or just aren't told as the races are full-gas from the gun. In the excitement the amateurs will turn the heat up which is understandable — it's their chance to shine alongside the guys they look up to.
I can admit I did it twice myself when I raced a couple of post-Tour crits as an amateur, back in the days when I raced for a French development team. It makes for solid work for those of us who have three weeks in the legs … that and usually a skin full of beer. Doing this day after day for up to a week is a perfect way to earn really good money but also ruin yourself.
You'll get guys who'll spend Sunday night after the Tour out on the town getting seriously drunk, before heading to a post-Tour crit the next day with a hangover. It's then a case of rinse and repeat for a week.
What you want to know though is how much we make. A few years ago I knew of guys who were able to get €20,000 to start a race if they managed to take a jersey at the Tour. Those prices have gone up though — Peter Sagan was asking for around €30,000 this year and Chris Froome was getting as much as €50,000. Not bad for turning up, turning over the legs and signing some autographs."
LOLz.
Interesting article (regardless of who actually wrote it, and whether they are actually a secret pro, or not).
The part about the post-Tour Criteriums proves everything we said about the Saitama Criterium to be absolutely right.
"If you don't know much about the post-Tour crits, let me explain. For the week or two after the Tour towns and cities across Europe all organise invitational criteriums, showcasing many of the guys that have competed in the Grand Boucle. The bunch at these events isn't just made up of professionals though; strong amateurs are invited from local clubs to race with us. There are also local pros that may not have raced the Tour.
The result is almost always fixed before we roll out. For instance, you'll see guys like Chris Froome outsprinting Peter Sagan for a win — something that would never happen in real life. But as the organisers want a spectacle and it's their cash paying for the big names to attend, that is what you will often see. The thing is, the amateurs can often make it tough for us to accomplish the result we're supposed to.
What usually happens is that the organisers gather everyone together and explain how they want it to pan out. I'm sure the amateurs instantly forget this or just aren't told as the races are full-gas from the gun. In the excitement the amateurs will turn the heat up which is understandable — it's their chance to shine alongside the guys they look up to.
I can admit I did it twice myself when I raced a couple of post-Tour crits as an amateur, back in the days when I raced for a French development team. It makes for solid work for those of us who have three weeks in the legs … that and usually a skin full of beer. Doing this day after day for up to a week is a perfect way to earn really good money but also ruin yourself.
You'll get guys who'll spend Sunday night after the Tour out on the town getting seriously drunk, before heading to a post-Tour crit the next day with a hangover. It's then a case of rinse and repeat for a week.
What you want to know though is how much we make. A few years ago I knew of guys who were able to get €20,000 to start a race if they managed to take a jersey at the Tour. Those prices have gone up though — Peter Sagan was asking for around €30,000 this year and Chris Froome was getting as much as €50,000. Not bad for turning up, turning over the legs and signing some autographs."
LOLz.