Olympic TTs

[RoadRaven]

Thanks TVNZ.

Tonight I should have enjoyed watching the women's ITT and be watching the mens ITT right now.

Our pathetic coverage means I saw bits of the women's ITT... it was interrupted to watch heats of table tennis (of which there were no NZers) and heats of weigh lifting. When coverage returned we had missed the last 12 starters including the WHOLE of Kristen Armstrong's gold-winning ride. I was really looking forward to watching her on a bike.

As for the men's - we're not going to have any live coverage at all. Instead, TVNZ in their wisdom are going to replay the gymnastics. Now that was fantastic to watch. But the medal has been won and that could be replayed anytime. But we're not going to be able to a gold medal event as it unfolds... and it is unfolding now - the last half hour must be happening and i no idea what is going on!!!!!

:mad: Me Very Mad :mad:

[alpinerabbit]

Go Fäbu! yeah, he did it... could only follow a ticker from desk.

[Trekhawk]

Thanks TVNZ.

Tonight I should have enjoyed watching the women's ITT and be watching the mens ITT right now.

Our pathetic coverage means I saw bits of the women's ITT... it was interrupted to watch heats of table tennis (of which there were no NZers) and heats of weigh lifting. When coverage returned we had missed the last 12 starters including the WHOLE of Kristen Armstrong's gold-winning ride. I was really looking forward to watching her on a bike.

As for the men's - we're not going to have any live coverage at all. Instead, TVNZ in their wisdom are going to replay the gymnastics. Now that was fantastic to watch. But the medal has been won and that could be replayed anytime. But we're not going to be able to a gold medal event as it unfolds... and it is unfolding now - the last half hour must be happening and i no idea what is going on!!!!!

:mad: Me Very Mad :mad:

Oh no mate that just sucks!
Thank goodness we have SBS. I got to watch the whole of the road racing and the time trials for both the men and women.

All I can say is that the races were enthralling and that I just love Jeannie Longo what a legend.

[crazycanuck]

TVNZ is crap...need i say more?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/event/story.cfm?c_id=502&objectid=10526887

Sorry RR that you have to endure TVNZ, hopefully the SKY coverage will be better..:rolleyes: *fingers crossed*

[Trek420]

All I can say is that the races were enthralling and that I just love Jeannie Longo what a legend.

How'd she do? I'm franticly flipping channels and can only find soccer and white water rafting :mad:

[Bron]

4th. missed out on a medal by 2 seconds.

[Thorn]

How'd she do? I'm franticly flipping channels and can only find soccer and white water rafting :mad:

Fourth...missed a medal by 2 seconds. Amazing for a 49 year old. She's my hero...

[TxDoc]

Yeah!!!
King Fabian won again :D
Too bad that Jeannie Longo did not make it to the podium - but she made a great time.

[alpinerabbit]

http://www.zisch.ch/openmedia_custom/files/BXMediaOne209361file.jpg

inn'e cute? Fäbu, if you are doped, and they don't catch you, just retire now. Then I'll still like you because I am blissfully ignorant...

[Kalidurga]

alpinerabbit: I'm so glad to know I'm not the only person who's begun to think that way (about the doping, but, yeah, Fabian is cute, too ;) ).

Even though I knew Fabian was likely to win, I was still rooting for Dave Z. Gotta wonder, was it the back injury that slowed him down, or the fact that he shaved off his super-duper pr0n-star 'stache?

[Lifesgreat]

Was anybody else kinda creeped out about the lack of fans and the accompanying noise?

I understand the importance of Olympic security, but it was still weird.

[emily_in_nc]

They just showed a bit of the time trial (taped) on the NBC night time coverage. I guess about 10 mins. is all we get... :(

[TxDoc]

inn'e cute? Fäbu, if you are doped, and they don't catch you, just retire now. Then I'll still like you because I am blissfully ignorant...

I really hope he's not because I really like him!

[ninerfan]

The entire TT, both men's and women's are available on NBC's olympic website. No audio commentary, which is a bit odd, but there is written commentary that accompanies the video. Great quality too.

[RoadRaven]

Sorry RR that you have to endure TVNZ, hopefully the SKY coverage will be better..:rolleyes: *fingers crossed*
Yeah, CC, we only have to wait 4 years for this event to happen again...

*sigh*

[Aggie_Ama]

Did anyone actually get to see the Men's Race? We have a DVR and it was on for a couple hours on Universal HD channel. The USA jerseys had something on the back that made them look like it was a large back tattoo showing through their jerseys. My husband and I were staring at Leipheimer wondering if he had a full back piece. :D

[Trek420]

Was anybody else kinda creeped out about the lack of fans and the accompanying noise?

I understand the importance of Olympic security, but it was still weird.

My non riding, not bike race fan, not even aware that the Tour de CA happens right here coworkers watched the road races. They were amazed at the distance and got it that this is flat out racing at speeds and distances they find hard to imagine even riding.

They asked why do riders go off the front and I explained a little about strategy, teams and why one would do that even though those riders rarely win.

They were amazed that they race on the open road. Where do you think we'd do 100+ miles? Track? :rolleyes: But kept commenting "they are right on the freeway .... did you see? They ...."

I explained my, and really the cycling worlds shock that there are no spectators they commented "yes, we saw some along the road". I explained that traditionally for rides of this caliper there is a solid screaming wall of fans within a hands reach of the riders. Imagine the Super Bowl with the stadium allowed to get right down and mingle on the field, that's world class cycling. Then showed them footage online of fans of TdF in the mountain stages and explained that people go up there, camp out for weeks to be right there.

Well, 2012 is in London? That'll be right.

[RoadRaven]

Well done you.
Glad you could show them some TdF footage to give an idea of the following, the passion... and as I write this, I realise that its passion that is missing from these Olympics...

Fantastic organisation... but too crisp and not enough messiness - like bystanders yelling and shouting and crying and cheering...

Lifesgreat... good observation... I hadn't registered that missing element...

[Trekhawk]

Stuart O'Grady has described the race as "silent murder".
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/olympics/article.aspx?id=611959

[Grog]

Stuart O'Grady has described the race as "silent murder".
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/olympics/article.aspx?id=611959

Wow.

I found that article strangely moving... and really saddening.

[RoadRaven]

Ah... he makes such a good point. I feel so sad that no one was there to cheer them on.

When I do a time trial, and someone calls out my name (usually a marshall or someone of a lower grade as I pass them, occasionally someone of a higher grade as they pass me)... when someone calls my name it makes me dig a bit deeper.

I understand his point... at that level, and with the precedent of having come from le Tour, it must have been really tough.

[alpinerabbit]

Watch this space.
http://1389blog.com/pix/SmileyAngryDevil.png