Woman competing in Tour de France

[beccaB]

I received this e-mail from Trek Travel-

Worgull Breaking Ground at the Shack

Trek Travel President, Tania Worgull will join Team RadioShack and be the first female to compete along side the male competitors in this year's 2010 Tour de France. "This is groundbreaking," proclaimed Johan Bruyneel. "Worgull is such a strong competitor and we are thrilled to have her on the roster." Riding as an alternate on the Shack it is unlikely that Worgull's rubber will actually hit the French pavement during the race, but the fact that her athletic prowess awards her a position on the Team and into the most acclaimed cycling race in the world open's the door for other women coming up the ranks.

Worgull's career diversion from Trek Travel President to professional cyclist was a feat of fate. While riding with her husband in Santa Barbara, Worgull jumped on the wheel of a crew of cyclists riding in front of her--Team RadioShack. After unsuccessfully trying to shake her for 30 miles, over some of the steepest climbs in the area, the Team's Director, Johan Bruyneel, pulled her over to find out her story. A simple conversation led to a series of fitness tests that revealed Worgull had a freakishly high athletic ability; one so high that it allowed them to use a small fitness loophole which would enable her to compete in this year's Tour de France. "I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to be in this position," said Worgull. "The Team has been so supportive and they recognize the value that raising the profile of female cyclists will have for the industry. I'm just happy to be breaking new ground."

You'll be able to follow Worgull's professional development on MTV's MADE and see her live as she competes in this year's Tour de France.

Happy April Fool's Day! Your friends at Trek Travel.

[shootingstar]

Has she competed internationally already?

This should be interesting.

[beccaB]

I don't know if she has competed internationally, but I will be following this story.

[KnottedYet]

You'll be able to follow Worgull's professional development on MTV's MADE and see her live as she competes in this year's Tour de France.

Happy April Fool's Day! Your friends at Trek Travel.

Ah, yes, Happy April Fools Day, everyone!

[Pedal Wench]

Happy April Fool's Day! Your friends at Trek Travel.

You got me!

[OakLeaf]

Am I the only one who finds this offensive?

There are physiological reasons why women don't compete side-by-side with men in this type of event. But to make a joke of the idea just rubs me the wrong way.

[lunacycles]

I'm with Oak.

[roguedog]

i don't necessarily find it offensive but i do think it's in poor taste (and kinda stupid) coming from Trek who tout their WSD frames.

not funny (down thumb for trek.. not for thread)

[shootingstar]

i don't necessarily find it offensive but i do think it's in poor taste (and kinda stupid) coming from Trek who tout their WSD frames.

not funny (down thumb for trek.. not for thread)

I agree. If becca received the email as part of a customer email group, that's pretty pathetic.

Or someone was using Trek Travel's name indiscriminately, without their knowledge for this joke.

[jp4995]

I can see how they would think it's funny, but I don't really think it's funny. Glad I don't own a Trek bike, it's saving me from writing a strongly worded letter to them. I might just write the letter anyways.

[Jolt]

i don't necessarily find it offensive but i do think it's in poor taste (and kinda stupid) coming from Trek who tout their WSD frames.

not funny (down thumb for trek.. not for thread)

I agree. Lame. I wonder whose brain fart this was...

[MM_QFC!]

Am I the only one who finds this offensive?

There are physiological reasons why women don't compete side-by-side with men in this type of event. But to make a joke of the idea just rubs me the wrong way.

No, you're not; I'm in full agreement: it's offensive.
To me, it's consistent with the practice of using male-generated derogatory terms that are female-specific, like a military drill instructor shouting in a recruit's face that they're "such a girl" or worse as in the slang terms for female genitalia and such...how about the seemingly innocuous term of "man-up"?
I'm the mother of 2 sons and have felt all the way along that I'm pushing against this sexist tidal wave just to teach them awareness and sensitivity from the woman's perpective...whew!