Anriette Schoeman

Vo2

The recent performance of the South African team at the Tour de Langkawi is proof of their international ability.

1 Mapei - Quick Step  90h21'04"
2 Rep South Africa  90h32'15"
3 Colombia-Selle Italia  90h32'45"
4 Alexia Alluminio  90h42'58"
5 Bonjour  90h48'36"
6 Acqua & Sapone        90h55'59"
7 Telekom Malaysia  90h57'30"
8 Team Fakta  91h13'29"
9 Lotto - Adecco  91h19'29"
10 Credit Agricole  91h20'30"
11 iTeamNova.com  91h22'52"
12 Relax - Fuenlabrada  91h23'49"
13 Canada  91h28'39"
14 Mobilvetta Design  91h30'49"
15 Ag2r Prevoyance  91h38'06"
16 Japan  91h38'56"
17 Ceramiche Panaria  91h39'55"
18 Team Nürnberger  91h50'50"
19 Palmans-Collstrop  91h59'55"
20 Philippines  92h03'31"
21 Malaysia  92h14'35"
22 China  92h59'29"

__________________
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Guest

I was not saying they are no good. I was just saying the only south african cyclist iv heard of is Robbie Hunter.
mind you Stuart O'grady leaves him in the dust

Guest

Hey Nicholas, I've been reading the comments on this thread  and did not want to react, but your careless talk has forced me to barge in here....  >



Just because you don't hear of them doesn't mean they're not there - let's elaborate a little more :

David George, a top SA pro got a Silver medal in the World TT Champs in 2000. He rode for the US Postal Team (heard of them ??) and in the Vini Caldirola Team (Italy) last season.

Ryan Cox, a young up and coming rider (23yrs) is currently riding in the Cologne Team (Germany) and finished in 65th place in the Elite Road Race at the World's last year.  

Other SA riders who have been given contracts and are campaigning in Europe this season are Rudolph Wentzel (26), the only non-Belgian riding  for the Vlaanderen-T Interim Team, and Darryn Lill (20).

The reason SA doesn't have too many riders in Europe at this stage is because of the Sport boycott in the 70's and 80's - this isolation meant the riders were not exposed to International competition and that put the sport back 20 years in this country.

Had it not been for that, you can be sure that numerous riders from this continent would have made a name in World Cycling. One such rider was Alan van Heerden, who rode against and beat non other than Sean Kelly in his early pro years on a few occasions. As for Aussie riders riding then, Phil Anderson (heard of him ?), Australia's best ever Classics rider, rode in the Peugeot team with Alan and he wasn't in the same class then (p.s. Phil did go on to some great achievements in his career).

As for Robbie Mc Ewen kicking dust... this is "Pantani Talk". Either rider deserves respect and both are different types of rider. Hunter is a hard man with the amazing ability to produce in the World's toughest single day events (Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Paris-Tours, etc.). McEwen is a rider who can stick it out in long stages and produce powerful sprints at the end.

Recently, in the Gent-Wevelgem where both riders participated, RH was 6th and RME was 25th - who was riding cobblestone dust into who's eyes then ?? :

In the UCI rankings, McEwen is currently ranked 32nd & and Hunter 59th. It must be noted though that the majority of McEwen's points were scored in Australia against majority Aussie competition at the beginning of the year. Hunter's points were scored in Europe and Asia against majority European competition. As for who's riding for the better team, we won't go there....

So let's just chill and hold the bashing back as you don't want to go creating a "mine-is-better-than-yours" attitude in this forum.  That's not why we come here.  

Guest

Morning Nic, Who is Stuart O'Grady..O.Yes.. now I remember. Thats the guy who had the yellow yersey in last years TDF. Now how can you compare S O'G with RH in last years race.O'Grady was the #1 rider in agricole and that means all his team mates must make sure he looks good in the race. They have to work, protect and support him. Roberts role was to do the working for his #1 team rider with a "agreement" that if he is still in the sprint, he can challenged. Do you think Lance Amstrong win the TDF soleley on his own. Yes, Lance win some stages on his own because he is a exceptional cyclist. But it was his team mates who controlled him and the race,that first week. You can never "compare" riders directly to each other, unless they race against each other. The stronger the team members, the better the #1 cyclist of that team. This sport is so great, rather appreciate the cyclist who do well in the international scene, no matter where he came from. Yes, our country is set back because of our history, but we cannot use that as a excuse for bad sporting performances. BUT we need to give compliments if its due and Big.Mig mentioned the names

earnie

Hi everybody,
                 S.O.G. and R.H , who is the best? They themselves will prove that. As for Anriette, I think we will hear a lot more about her in the near future. She will be at the Worlds come October, and I expect her to do well. Just a pity that she won't be able to ride in our Tour de Eden :'(, because of the World Champs.

Guest

You guys ever heard of Jessica Philipps? The most beautiful face in cycling!

As for you SA residents complaining about having no international exposure, think of how I feel....ever heard of any Filipino pro cyclist? I didn't think so  :P

Guest

dont sook go out there and practice and maybe you will be the first one  ;D ;D ;D

Guest

I dream about that everyday. However, it is just a dream