The laws of nature and the desires of man, however, tell us otherwise. The human body is fragile and the choices we make can lead us to unending heights or abysmal lows.
Such was the plight of Mark Cavendish this summer. Already a World Champion on the track for Great Britain in the Madison, Cavendish sought to prove himself on cycling’s ultimate proving ground, the Tour de France.
His exploits at this year’s Tour led many to the conclusion that he is the fastest sprinter in recent cycling history. But his failure at the Beijing Olympic Games showed that he literally bit off a little more than he could chew.
In this world of big time, but diminishing, cycling sponsorship what would you choose?
Columbia or Great Britain? Disappointing a sponsor or disappointing a nation? Riding for the people who sign your paycheck or riding for people who work for theirs? Tour de France teammates or Bradley Wiggins? Green Jersey or Gold Medal?
It is perhaps a decidedly personal choice, but in his attempt to have both, Cavendish got neither.
Such are the travails and impetuousness of youth.
This post is a good example of what's wrong with sports fans: "Win everything every time or else". Cavendish still has trouble with the high mountains and has not built up the endurance base to complete the Tour, and your bashing him for not getting the green? Let's see...4 stages of the Tour, 2 of the Giro. I'm sure Columbia is going to demand his resignation tomorrow. Aside from that, we all know that you can't be on form for every race. To imply that he let his country down is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment mathguy. I can't control how people react to what I write, so I won't try.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't suggesting that Cavendish or any other sports figure needs to "win everything all the time." Rather, I think at times riders, and sports figures, especially when they are young and strapping, don't have a good measure of their limits.
I faced it and I'm sure you have as well. I thought I could do everything just a few years back, and just about did. But my performance certainly suffered in some events because of it.
There's a reason riders have a calendar and have to decide which races to target. It's because their form peaks at certain times, and that's where we agree.
Cav had a choice, to see if he had a realistic chance at winning green or drop and head to the Olympics. In his final mtn. pass, when he ultimately dropped out, he had certainly exhausted his supplies.
Now frame that in context with his Madison teammate, Bradley Wiggins, who also happens to be his Columbia teammate as well. Wiggins made the conscious choice to focus on the Olympics because he knew he couldn't be on form for both. Cav, whether right or wrong, jeopardized his Madison partners chances at a gold medal by staying on as long as he did in the Tour.
Again, I don't fault him for his decision. His choice was to attempt both and the fact is, he got neither.
stick to math dude!
ReplyDelete