First of all, I have to congratulate Joseph Schmalz for making the European Cyclo-X trip for U23. He’s been getting better and better each year and he’s barely 20 years old. It’s super expensive to do this trip. USAC pays zip ike usual. He’s been getting to the USGP races, but this one is going to take some help. So, there is a link at Joseph’s blog that you can donate to help him offset expenses. Click the donate link and it will take you there. Anything is appreciated. You can also just click the link on the right to Joseph’s Blog.
I saw that California Bicycle Racing has a new rule that doesn’t allow anyone that has every been suspended for a doping offense to compete ever in their events. There is a pretty good banter started here on their facebook page. I’m not familiar with the California Bicycle Racing Org., but I can’t say I disagree with their philosophy here. My only problem is the blanket rule, no exceptions. That means Andrew Crater can’t race there because he was suspended for a day for smoking pot. Doesn’t seem right. There should be a rule to differentiate between the performance enhancing drugs, EPO, HGH, steriods, etc. and the stupid stuff in my opinion.
I saw that there are 122 riders with UCI points in cyclo-x in the US. That is a ton. I’ve been consciously trying to keep my name off the list. Here is the list.
Speaking of ranking, K-State and KU are ranked 4th and 6th respectively in the NCAA Division 1 basketball ranking. K-State is playing #1 Duke tonight. Should be interesting.
I got a couple emails from people asking me about the etiquette for the podium. Where do you learn it? What “rules” apply? I don’t really have specific answers for that. Just liberal guidelines.
Here are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. If you won, make sure you congratulate the other guys up there. It’s only sporting. The guy at the top of the podium, ie the winner, is normally the only one gets to put both his arms up. The guys are either side should just put up one. Preferably their outside arm. If the guy that won grabs the other guys hands, then it is kosher for the 2nd and 3rd place guys to have both arms in the air. You should try to only wear you cycling clothing to the podium. Team kits. There aren’t many excuses for this rule. Two that I can think of-The awards ceremony is way, way too long after the race. And, it is a small race and it is wicked cold out and you don’t think anyone will be there watching, let alone taking pictures. And, of course, make sure you share the bubbly.
Joseph doing what he likes to do.
Example of bad podium etiquette. The Kelley Benefits guy is hogging all the attention from the winner.
Good podium postions.
Example of great podium position.
Top of the hill from the Nebraska CX Championship race on Sunday.
that was a good tour when Sastre won, seems like a nice guy, and that was a fun tour to watch, came down to the end.
What about the steps? Second place on winner’s right? Third on winner’s left? Tried to find an ‘official rule’ on this, like Olympics, but unable.
I don’t think thats the correct UCI piont rankings. That list is here….
http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-NOFRAMES/Template3/layout.asp?MenuId=MTU2MTc&LangId=1
I think the other is just USAC’s point rank system, there are some other guys on there that are also consciously trying to not get UCI points.
Sorry if I’m wrong, JB
Jonny-I thought the only points that USAC used was the points from the 56 UCI races here in the US. Last year, they used the UCI points. They don’t throw any out. I could be wrong here too. Steve
Podium etiquette, or just racer etiquette in general. Unless you race unattached, you are representing the businesses that sponsor you. Think of yourself as an employee. Your job is to promote the products and services to generate revenue for the businesses on your team kit. So that next season those businesses can continue to sponsor you. Especially now in the economic climate we are in. Getting your picture taken on the podium in your team kit is one of the best things you can do to promote your sponsors. I look at those pictures to see what businesses sponsor cycling teams, and patronize those businesses when I can.
It amazes me how many people view it as a one way street. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme . . . Gimme some more “Free Stuff. Until a team is sponsored be the Federal Reserve, that “Free Stuff” is being paid for by somebody, that somebody is making an investment in you, and is hoping for a return.
Here is an example of the bad etiquette I’m talking about. I went to my weekly team group ride. We were sponsored by a local coffee house where they roaster their own coffee. However our team captain wanted us to meet at the corporate coffee place that was 3 miles closer to his house. To say I was irritated on many levels is an understatement. He had us patronizing a competing business on a weekly basis, and didn’t understand why some might have a dim view of that action. I guess that fact alone compliments the aptitude perfectly for someone that can’t squeeze in an extra 6 miles for a base mile training ride.
Don’t take your sponsors for granted . . . OK I’m done.
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