(If you do one thing- watch the video at the bottom)
I’ve gotta be honest here. After all – that’s what a blog is all about right?
Two weeks ago I would never have imagined even coming to the Tour Down Under, let alone interviewing some of the biggest names in the sport.
Jamie Ford from CSN and myself, spontaneously wandered amongst the team cars prior to Stage One. At first we felt like a couple of protruding sore thumbs, but after a while I mustered the courage to ask for an interview.
Umm, excuse me Cadel…
Straight to the top I say. It was the shortest interview know to man but hey, I had the balls to do it – that’s the main thing.
Johan Bruyneel was next and then suddenly I found myself on a role. Baden Cooke, Neil Stevens, Mathew White, Bradley McGee, Graeme Brown followed*.
My major learn for the day was – if you’re going to interview people, have questions prepared.
The other major learn, was that these guys are just normal people like you and I. They’re approachable and want to tell their story just like everybody else.
They just get harassed a hell of a lot more often.
This makes me reflect on the local racing scene. It doesn’t matter where you live, there’s a pecking order – a heirachy among the grades – a wank factor that’s completely unnecessary.
From my experience, rarely do elite, A-graders or category 1 riders mingle with the lesser grades. They sit in their little groups at the coffee shop, or get together for a group ride excluding anyone who can’t hold their wheel. That’s a shame because so many skills and tips can be passed on to riders aspiring to make that cut.
Now it’s late, and I may be getting all soppy after one too many red wines from press room wine bar, but where’s the love!!
Anyway, here’s the video. I’ve included footage with Cadel, Hincapie and Whitey and I’ll save the rest for next time. As you all suffer from ADD, I’ve tried to keep the movie at 2 minutes.
Although Andre Greipel won today’s stage, the big news of the day was Alan Davis (Astana) – the winner from last year – getting spat on Menglers hill.
Our Interviewees from last night, Jonathan Cantwell and David Kemp (UniSA) also came in with the Davis group some 8′22″ behind the bunch.
We’ll interview those guys tomorrow and see what happened. We also want to speak with young Timothy Roe. Word on the street has it, he may move over to Radioshack next year. Just another day on the rumor mill.
Keep posted on Cycling Maven for the latest updates and insight form inside the media vans of the TDU.
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