Am I the only one getting sick of all this Cavendish Rock Star fest?

IMO he's only good at one thing: going very fast over very short, flat, distances, and he wouldn't achieve any of those stage wins without the other 8 team members pedalling their guts out to put him in the right position. He's useless at climbing stages - like all specialist sprinters.

Lets not forget that he pulled out of last year's Tour to "prepare himself" for the Olympics, in which he was in only one event (the Madison) which he lost. He was the only one of the GB Team to come home without a medal and apparently didn't speak to Bradley Wiggins for months afterwards. 

Lets not forget also, that in last year's Tour other riders the same age or younger finished the Tour and then went on to Bejing with none of that precious "I need to prepare myself" posturing.

To me, he's an arrogant, bumptious, immature, young man who needs to learn some humility. Here's a quotation: "The fact is, you look at the replays of my wins at the Tour, and I'm the fastest sprinter. I'm stating a fact. It's not just me saying 'I'm the fastest sprinter' without backing it up - I'm stating a fact, you know?
I don't see how that can be seen as arrogance when it's just telling the truth. But people can take me as they want? I don't give a *** really."

Give me an all-rounder any day of the week. Give me a devoted domestique without whom none of these massive egos would get over the finishing line. To quote the Stones:

 Say a prayer for the common foot soldier; Spare a thought for his back breaking work; Say a prayer for his wife and his children; Who burn the fires and who still till the earth

 Sorry to offend anyone who thinks we should support him just because he's a Brit. It takes more than a passport and winning stages to get my vote. I'd be interested to hear anyone else's view on this.

 

 

Mario Cipolini was in my view the greatest pure sprinter of all time, but as soon as there was a slight upward gradient in the tour he climbed off. However, when he was in the tour he always added to the spectacle in my eyes. In many ways he was also far more arrogant than Mark, but like all sprinters I feel there is a certain amount of arrognace needed to be good at what you do.

 Part of winning a stage in the way a sprinter does, is to believe in themselves. How would you believe in yourself if you aren't arrogant enough to believe you are the best at what you do and nobody else should be allowed to get close to you. It's part of every sportsmans mentality.

I would also like to defend Mark's performance in the olympics last year, and the disagreement with Brad. Brad said he was tired after the pursuits and so couldn't give his all in the Madison (which in itself is a hard event to win, especially when you are as marked as the pair of them were) but then went on to say Mark wasn't a very good track rider anyway and not a good tactician for the Madison. If I'd won a world title with a team mate for them to turn around later in the year and say that I'd not want to talk to them for a while. After Mark won Milan - St. Remo Brad again stated that Mark wasn't the best track rider whilst he was stood right next to him, apparently after the issue had been resolved.

You say "he's an arrogant, bumptious, immature, young man who needs to learn some humility" but on the contrary I would argue that Brad is more arrogant, more bumptious and more immature. If only Chris Hoy was in the tour, now there's a true champion that isn't arrogant.

 Yes I'm British, and yes I agree it takes more than a passport and winning stages to get my vote. I'm cheering Contador.

An interesting view, novosibirsk. If you read his book 'Boy Racer' he goes to great lengths to emphasise that without his team he wouldn't have a prayer of winning a stage because he wouldn't be in the right position to do his thing. The team is paid by sponsors who want to see their logos on the podium. It is in the interest of the whole team to do whatever it takes to make that happen. He also writes about his Olympic experience, but regardless of the outcome he was selected for his proven ability and medal-winning potential. Surely you don't doubt his worthiness for selection? As to arrogance, well he is pretty full of himself but come on, four stage wins in the TDF, and three in the current race? Credit is due I think!

Personally, a passsport and winning stages is more than enough to get my vote - what's wrong in supporting our own talent? I never understand why people are so quick to find fault.

 

I think you may be the only one getting sick on this one

Cavendish is great because he's fast, not because he's a Brit. Sprint finishes make an exciting end to the stage. It's great to see a break away succeed, or a grimpeur rip the legs of the peleton, the Tour delivers them all and I get as much fun watching Cavendish win as with any of the other great sprinters (with the possoble exception of Djamolodine Abdoujaparov - he really was a king!)

 

 

To be fair, the first thing he always does afterwards is thank his team.

He is the fastest sprinter in the world. No one expects Usain Bolt to run a marathon. 

 He can come across as prickly/cocky/arrogant sometimes but so can most people after a 200km race! 

 I've never been into jingoistic flag waving but he is the best at what he does. Everyone knows it. Including himself.

 He doesn't strike me as the kind of guy that I'd like to spend much time with but the same can be said of 99.9% of other sports stars I enjoy watching compete!

Cipo never made Paris or wanted to win the Green Jersey. Fair play to Cav, he wants to go all the way and not abandon as soon as the going gets steep.

Yes, Cav can seem arrogant etc. but I think Goldenduck's point about immediate post-race interviews is a good one. After I've ridden (v slowly and painfully) up the Telscombe Cliffs road near where I live, I can't even speak, let alone say anything sensible. I also agree with others that he was badly treated by Bradley Wiggins in the Olympics and has every right to feel let down and to say so. Interviews in more relaxed circumstances show a more engaging character, unlike, say, Cadel Evans who doesn't seem to have been even in the queue when charm was being handed out. Sure, Cav hasn't got the style of the great Cipo, but I think he will make it to Paris, may even win the green jersey (though I have a feeling Hushovd may edge it) and, though I'm not a flag waver either, I'll be cheering him on the Champs Elysee.

I don't know why this is called "an alternative" view, as I thought there was only one accepted view about Cav: he's a great sprinter, but also an immature, petulant, sulky little brat.

Sprinters are like strikers - they need a touch  of arrogance to succeed and win. I have no problem with that. Cipo was arrogant. But he was also cool and stylish with it. He didn't take himself too seriously and was charming. Cav needs to lighten up and cut out the sulky teenage tantrums when things don't go his way.

 I don't see how anyone can say Wiggins is more arrogant. More aloof, yes.

cressers:

Cipo never made Paris or wanted to win the Green Jersey. Fair play to Cav, he wants to go all the way and not abandon as soon as the going gets steep.

 

That'll make a change. He abandoned last year and the year before.

labiche:

I don't know why this is called "an alternative" view, as I thought there was only one accepted view about Cav: he's a great sprinter, but also an immature, petulant, sulky little brat.

  It's a contest within a contest really. Sprinters are the posers, standing tall on the efforts of the lead-out team. - Something to entertain the crowd on a flat stage, while we wait for the real strong men to joust for the GC.

Sprinters give sponsors good value for money. - But everybody knows the Yellow jersey in Paris is the big cheese really. It's like the UK BBAR title....but better!

Green is good, especially for development of UK cycling...but Yellow is better. - Maybe one day Bradley, maybe one day..

 Does anyone else find it peculiar that in this country there is a certain section of society that just loves to knock those who are successful?

Mark Cavendish is what he is and that is an out and out sprinter.

I don't know whether it is possible for a sprinter to pull off a Bradley Wiggins style makeover and become a potential all rounder, but I suppose it is best to stick at what you're good at (this isn't a veiled knock at Mr Wiggins by-the-way).

But at least Mark Cavendish's is in the right place, he has stated that he is prepared to see the Tour through to the end. And as far as his retirement from last year's Tour is concerned, I had the distinct impression that Cavendish did so somewhat reluctantly as he was under instruction from the GB Olympic Team to pull out early (although I have to admit I could be wrong on this account).

As far as the so called falling out with Bradley Wiggins after the poor showing in the Olympic Madison event, may I suggest you take a peek at this link:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/3108048/Bradley-Wiggins-hasnt-spoken-to-Mark-Cavendish-since-Beijing-Olympics-Cycling.html

It should be borne it mind that Mark Cavendish is only 23 and has been pushed straight into the deep end of the limelight – I am not certain whether part of his training includes how to conduct himself when giving an interview to the media, but what strikes me is that he is brutally honest if not particularly diplomatic in the answers that he gives. I dare say that in time he may deal with this in more appealing manner.

corserine:

 Does anyone else find it peculiar that in this country there is a certain section of society that just loves to knock those who are successful?

Mark Cavendish is what he is and that is an out and out sprinter.

He's not being knocked because he's successful. He's being knocked (and not just by me) because he's a brat who needs to learn some manners. Just because he can do one thing extremely well does not make him a nice person. I'd hate to spend any time in his company but there are other professional riders whom I'd love to meet.

 

It should be borne it mind that Mark Cavendish is only 23 and has been pushed straight into the deep end of the limelight – I am not certain whether part of his training includes how to conduct himself when giving an interview to the media, but what strikes me is that he is brutally honest if not particularly diplomatic in the answers that he gives. I dare say that in time he may deal with this in more appealing manner.

He's 24 now (DoB 21 May 1985). Pushed straight into the deep end of the limelight? This is his third Tour and he won 4 stages last year. 

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Well I think cavendish is brilliant just as some others cycling for UK are-but he does have a particular talent for clnching it at the end- I see him as very talented,aware how valuable his team are(he is always the first to gratulate them after the win) he is young and enthusiatic,which may come across as arrogant etc-But you have to believe you are the best if you want to win-why do british as a nation want to knock this kind of enthusiasm-that if we proclaim our talent,that means we are arrogant

he is one of the best british sports people,and you would not be able to get any other team leader beat his sprints-so maybe he is only good at that-but then he does do it most excellently and as a british competitor we should be proud and support him

Im sure he doesnt want cameras flashing in his face all the time,documenting his every move-thats not why they do this-it does actually drive them mad as Cadel Evans weill tell you

 

As for Brad-not sure about what he said at the olyimpics-but did notice he seemed to sulk a bit after he didnt get his 3 predicted golds there

Stephen Roche on Eurosport earlier was saying he needs to be careful about what he says and how he says it.

More "Classic" Cavendish today. Fantastic stage win. Then Post race interview with Ned Boulting.

 Ned: "Some people were saying that maybe this finish wouldn't suit you today..."

 Cav: (with a look of disgust and incredulity) " Who said that? What?............ Probably foreigners"

Well no actually Cav. Your general manager Bob Stapleton was one of them.

He doesn't do himself any favours......................