guadzilla

I am sorry, he might be an excellent sprinter but he is just a pig of a human being, belated and not-very-genuine apology notwithstanding. When someone's first reaction to a win is to flip the bird, it says a lot.

And FWIW, I am not really offended by the flipping of the bird - just astounded at the mentality of someone who would do something like that, while wearing the clothes of his sponsors and team who are paying him a lot of money to represent their brand.

Roadierookie

I totally agree with you, however characters like Cav do make the sport more interesting.

Laggard

He's a dick.

Laggard

Not really.

USAZorro

Seriously, I look forward to watching a Cavendish, or McEwan, or Cippolini in the sprint much more than I do a relatively colorless rider like Petacchi.

DXchulo

I heard the team pulled him from the race for that. I thought his salute was a dumb move, but that seems a little extreme. Just slap him with a little fine.

FastFreddy

I missed something -- what was he mad about?

$ick3nin.vend3t

Not sure what this hate nonsense is about...

...but as for Cav, LEGEND is the only word that springs to mind. Obviously the so called cav 'haters' are loving it too by the amount of fuss being made. Bring on the TDF. And the Worlds.

longbeachgary

Says he was mad at those criticizing his lack of performance.

guadzilla

Which is what makes it even more amazing. He's a famous and rich pro athlete in a sport that is not exactly known for either - STFU and deal with a little criticism, or take a ride in the whambulance.

Makes the sport more interesting - yes, that is true. All sports need colorful personalities, and until now, I have found Cav's celebrations to be quite entertaining.

"Hate nonsense" - whooosh.

V.

$ick3nin.vend3t

A little bit of anger to fire him up. Its all good.

Chris516

I wonder how many on GC have errant fingers like Mark Cavendish.

Laggard

Not yet it doesn't.

OrionKhan

Actually, Roadierookie is right. This goes for all sports, not just cycling. You don't have to like the personality. But the fact that he's egotistical and opinionated, but not afraid to voice it, creates controversy. Controversy that stays in the news. Its much better than the other kind of controversy (doping) we're used to dealing with in cycling. That controversy hits at the core credibility of the sport. Great athletes that have boorish personalities are needed in all sports. That's what creates great rivalries. The guys we love to hate. Its true with every sport.

An excellent example of this is occurring this weekend. About 99% of the people who will be watching the Floyd Mayweather/Shane Mosely fight will be doing so because they want to see punk a$$ Mayweather get his butt kicked. Plain and simple.

$ick3nin.vend3t

I'm actually a huge Mayweather fan. His lifelong dedication to the gym & training gets my utmost respect.





Mayweather will earn a non-heavyweight record, $22.5 million guaranteed purse for the bout, plus any upside to the HBO-televised pay per view bout.

Mosley has been guaranteed $7 million, plus upside to a clash that Golden Boy CEO, Richard Schaefer, expects to generate 4 million pay per view buys.

OrionKhan

There is no argument about the guy's boxing skill. Its his mouth that most people hate. Hate enough to shell out 50 bucks for a pay-per-view in hopes of seeing him get beat. That's why he's great draw. And good for boxing.

$ick3nin.vend3t

Imagine a character & personality like Mayweather in cycling. The guys hating on Cavendish for his two-finger salute wouldn't know whats hit them. Cav's church mouse.

OrionKhan

Let's not limit it to boxing, where showmanship is almost expected. How about guys like a Terrell Owens, Dennis Rodman, or Manny Rodriquez. Or throw in some nice tennis tantrums from people like John McEnroe or Serena.

The antics of the sprinters are great for cycling.

fly:yes/land:no

who is manny rodriguez?

except for mcenroe, the other people you sighted, while controversial, probably haven't contributed much to increasing the popularity of their sport. and *****ing about team mates/news outlets is just weak. i don't see anyone saying - i want to watch cycling so we can see what demons cavendish cites as the reason for his latest unbecoming interview/race salute.

$ick3nin.vend3t

No, but I find it makes it more interesting, not the be all end all, but all the same.


"is not a problem for me, because I'm a better rider [then Greipel]"

"I didn't make the choice [to ride California]. I love Italy, I love the Giro but I'm paid to do this now, so I have to do it."

"I was pretty ****ed with Greipel's comments after Sanremo," he said. "If he thought he could win, he'd say it before the race rather than when he's looking at the results sheet. It wasn't through lack of form that I didn't win San Remo - it was bad luck. Last year I won it picking my nose."

"If I wanted to get **** small wins, I'd race **** small races."

OrionKhan

Opps, my bad. Meant Manny Ramirez.

Of course nobody says that. But that the adage rings true, "no publicity is bad publicity." Ask the LA Dodger management if Manny Ramirez contributed to selling seats and the bottom line. Bad news sells. Scandals are good for business in the entertainment world. Same with sports. If an athlete wins and has something interesting (or foolish) to say, he's golden. There is no doubt about it. You don't have to like it. But its true.

Look at Roger Federer. One of the greatest tennis players ever. Unfortunately, one of the most boring. Regular tennis fans know him. But can the casual sports fan pick him out? No.

Its not about liking Cavendish and his hijinks. Its about guys like Cav and Vino being Cav and Vino. Who do you think the guys at Velonews secretly hope will win a race? Cav and Vino. Why, because they're like to do or say something crazy that will have us local peons her on BF arguing about them weeks after the race.

Vino after winning Liege-Bastogne-Liege, "It is magnificent. It is a revenge. I dreamed of this," he said. "I have returned stronger than before and I've shown everybody that 'Vino' is back."

Guys like Cav and Vino are good for business. Why, because some of us love them and some of us hate them for it. I'm not saying its right, I'm just sayin' that's the way it is.

$ick3nin.vend3t

Love or hate Cavendish, in the words of Axl Rose, he don't give a f**K!.

markjenn

I'm not a believer that controversial, outspoken, egotistical jerk athletes are universally good. It creates some interest short-term, but long-term, it drags the sport down. It attracts the wrong kind of attention.

- Mark

Winbikeraces

He needs to remember that he is followed by an international crowd. His audience is generally not at the finish line. He should have known better and should be chastised with a good fine from the uci.

$ick3nin.vend3t

Yeah, but then again, you guys aren't elite athletes, in the public eye, busting your balls & being criticized for it.

Different personalities, different mentalities.

Train as hard as hell in terrible weather, then somebody gives you $hit, you'll soon start too tag along to the mentality.

Especially when the $hit comes from guys who don't know the difference between a treadmill & a bicycle.