Andy is on a roll!

Posted by: Clay Bingham on 10 September 2012

Andy Murray has won a very long U.S Open final; a real battle ( 3 sets of 5 from Djokovic) and his first grand slam. Good for him.

Posted on: 11 September 2012 by The Hawk

Very impressive!

 

Dave

Posted on: 11 September 2012 by Guido Fawkes

Superb ... Andy: a true credit to Great Britain. 

 

Also thought Novak was very gracious in defeat 

Posted on: 11 September 2012 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by The Hawk:

Very impressive!

 

Dave

Especially once he found his watch.

Posted on: 12 September 2012 by Mike Hughes
Fantastic end to a wonderful Summer of sport both for Britain and the world in general. Good to see the Andy haters on here notably quiet. Perhaps also gracious in defeat? Perhaps reluctant to acknowledge that what they disliked was what it took to become a real winner? Of course Wales then lose 6-1 but at least that hastens the demise of Coleman. Well done Andy Murray. Upwards and onwards.
Posted on: 12 September 2012 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by Mike Hughes:
Fantastic end to a wonderful Summer of sport both for Britain and the world in general. 

Not for me. The Tour de France sucked wind. Most boring edition in years. The Vuelta was just great. I really enjoyed watching Tom Boonen dominate the early-season cobbled classics, too.

Posted on: 12 September 2012 by Mike Hughes
Interesting comment about the tour. It is indeed easy to forget that behind the fantastic outcome there was actually the dullest race in years. Fair comment there.
Posted on: 12 September 2012 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by Mike Hughes:
Interesting comment about the tour. It is indeed easy to forget that behind the fantastic outcome there was actually the dullest race in years. Fair comment there.

The outcome is usually that the best rider wins. I didn't think this year's outcome was any different. Why was it "fantastic"? But yes, the Tour was easy to forget.

Posted on: 13 September 2012 by Mike Hughes
It was "fantastic" because a Brit won and because, yourself aside, it captured the imagination of more young kids than for many years. It was also an impressive victory in and of itself. I don't say that in any massively nationalistic way. This might politely described as rare (a Brit winning) and although the media reports to the contrary it has been achieved despite a lack of support at home and whilst the sport/pastime is generally on the increase it is hardly well supported across GB. It's a fine example of what can be achieved when we get the support that other countries put in, even if our support came from elsewhere. I think one also has to be careful about using the term "dull". We are in a post Lance period and there has been a levelling of times and performance for a variety of reasons. That makes, in the long-term, for better genuine competition rather than some of the previous parades. It also means that the media parade that puffed if up into an event that it wasn't may be coming to an end and, whilst a mixed blessing, I suspect the event will be healthier in the long-term because of it. The Wiggo effect here will mitigate this for a while but I suspect the period of dominance by one rider is now over. Now, what we need is a similar scandal in football...
Posted on: 13 September 2012 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by Mike Hughes:
It was "fantastic" because a Brit won and because, yourself aside, it captured the imagination of more young kids than for many years. It was also an impressive victory in and of itself. I don't say that in any massively nationalistic way. This might politely described as rare (a Brit winning) and although the media reports to the contrary it has been achieved despite a lack of support at home and whilst the sport/pastime is generally on the increase it is hardly well supported across GB. It's a fine example of what can be achieved when we get the support that other countries put in, even if our support came from elsewhere. I think one also has to be careful about using the term "dull". We are in a post Lance period and there has been a levelling of times and performance for a variety of reasons. That makes, in the long-term, for better genuine competition rather than some of the previous parades. It also means that the media parade that puffed if up into an event that it wasn't may be coming to an end and, whilst a mixed blessing, I suspect the event will be healthier in the long-term because of it. The Wiggo effect here will mitigate this for a while but I suspect the period of dominance by one rider is now over. Now, what we need is a similar scandal in football...

Well reasoned. Having the first-ever winner from a new country that a new group could therefore identify with is good for the sport. If it inspires people into the sport more than, say an Italian or Spanish winner would have, then yes, a great outcome.

 

Here in North America, we seem to have mostly moved past Lance. Cycling continues to grow, arguably in-spite of Lance. A healthy thing. Our bike club had a huge surge of interest this year and is closed to new members for a little while, as we assimilate a bunch of new people into the club.

 

I thought the tour was dull, perhaps due to the level of science being applied. The fastest way to the top of a climb is a steady pace on your power meter, and Sky know it. The surging attacks don't get you there any faster unless you can use them to isolate your opponents. Sky, with such a strong team couldn't be isolated. So they just rode tempo. That's dull. No tension in the TTs either with Wiggo being so dominant. Still, there were some good stages. But why does Froome keep looking down? One of the most awkward looking guys on a bike I've seen in years.