- I disagree, it may need some CPR a bit, but it has the potential to be much bigger than it is right now.
I mean, what is the ICEMAN other than a 28 mile 'Cross race? This year ICEMAN will attract 4,700 racers! Seriously, you go point to point over terrain that is very much like a 'Cross race. Sand, dirt roads, pavement (at the start), some single-track....
There some things that could be done to make it more spectator friendly, like maybe having Wissink race with a backpack of 50lbs of sand. It definitely would be more interesting to see a group of 3-4 going into the final lap vs. one guy 1/2 lap ahead of everyone... :)
fully agree with Joe, something can be done, but what? we have had and have some of THEE best cross racers in the respected age groups in the country here In Mi. But something this season has went south in a BIG way,
(at least on the Elite and Masters level), you cant say we dont have races and there are plenty of them and some well events to Boot. we gotta give Joe props for steppin up and allowing us choices on the cross front. Lets hope it works itself out in the end.............
MI does have some of the best CX'ers in the nation, but they don't know how to create a show.
If these guys want to continue to have races to go to in their back yard, well, they're going to have to learn to be show-man, not just think they can show up, race and it will draw people in.
Not that I'm saying you guys should create a conspiracy, but Saari, Wissink, Weinert, Roberge, Burke, Ashely, et al should get together over a couple of beers and talk about how they're going to give the spectators a show.
Then they could create a little controversy, maybe trash talk a bit on their blogs. Give people something to cheer about. "TASTES GREAT / LESS FILLING"
ROBERGE ROCKS / WHOOHOO FOR WISSINK
Here's what happens right now: 8 (!!!) guys line up, Wissink rides away on the first lap, Burke and Saari battle it out for 2nd, then by 2 laps they're 5-10 seconds apart. Tanguy chases for 4th, Card for 5th, but to the average spectator, YOU CAN'T figure out who's leading, etc.
BORING!!!!
I'll stay and watch a Pro I/II crit any day cause every lap there's someone else leading, winning a prime, going elbow to elbow down the line, if not till the end of the race, at least for 1/2 of it.
There's something to actually get interested in watching.
Look at it from the promoters point of view. WHY would I go through all the work to host 8 Elite men, when the pay-day is coming from the 25 B's and 50 C's who show up?
Until there's 25+ Elite Men lining up, the RACERS will have to do something to create a little interest, get more fans involved, and bring more people to the races.
Its pretty sad when the 08 state champion didnt even come back to defend his title. I think it may have been a 1st in the series, maybe that evil sucker new something others didnt.
Watch a Michigan Pro I/II Crit and watch everyone sit in until there is a sprint for a prime or the finish. Then everyone can go home and brag about how fast they were. Because "I was in it until the sprint." Except most of them weren't really in it because they can't make the watts to stay at the front. So when 'cross comes around all of a sudden these guys are off the back because they don't have the juice to go fast, or the skills to stay upright. They can't cope with it.
3 races left in the tailwind series, maybe someone from the road elite will show up and prove me wrong...
Anonymous said... Watch a Michigan Pro I/II Crit and watch everyone sit in until there is a sprint for a prime or the finish. Then everyone can go home and brag about how fast they were. Because "I was in it until the sprint." Except most of them weren't really in it because they can't make the watts to stay at the front. So when 'cross comes around all of a sudden these guys are off the back because they don't have the juice to go fast, or the skills to stay upright. They can't cope with it.
3 races left in the tailwind series, maybe someone from the road elite will show up and prove me wrong...
True. When the bike racing involves fitness, few can hang. The Michigan P12 road field/races would be much different if there were significant hills in the state and you couldn't just sit in. Also why CX and XC mtb racing may not be so exciting to watch. You can't hide if you don't have the fitness.
14 comments:
i was about to have a snack.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
DOPAGE
'Cross is DEAD
I must agree at least here in Michigan, someone should inform the 1/2 dozen or so that keep primin the pump.
'Cross is DEAD
- I disagree, it may need some CPR a bit, but it has the potential to be much bigger than it is right now.
I mean, what is the ICEMAN other than a 28 mile 'Cross race? This year ICEMAN will attract 4,700 racers! Seriously, you go point to point over terrain that is very much like a 'Cross race. Sand, dirt roads, pavement (at the start), some single-track....
There some things that could be done to make it more spectator friendly, like maybe having Wissink race with a backpack of 50lbs of sand. It definitely would be more interesting to see a group of 3-4 going into the final lap vs. one guy 1/2 lap ahead of everyone... :)
fully agree with Joe, something can be done, but what? we have had and have some of THEE best cross racers in the respected age groups in the country here In Mi. But something this season has went south in a BIG way,
(at least on the Elite and Masters level), you cant say we dont have races and there are plenty of them and some well events to Boot. we gotta give Joe props for steppin up and allowing us choices on the cross front. Lets hope it works itself out in the end.............
MI does have some of the best CX'ers in the nation, but they don't know how to create a show.
If these guys want to continue to have races to go to in their back yard, well, they're going to have to learn to be show-man, not just think they can show up, race and it will draw people in.
Not that I'm saying you guys should create a conspiracy, but Saari, Wissink, Weinert, Roberge, Burke, Ashely, et al should get together over a couple of beers and talk about how they're going to give the spectators a show.
Then they could create a little controversy, maybe trash talk a bit on their blogs. Give people something to cheer about. "TASTES GREAT / LESS FILLING"
ROBERGE ROCKS / WHOOHOO FOR WISSINK
Here's what happens right now: 8 (!!!) guys line up, Wissink rides away on the first lap, Burke and Saari battle it out for 2nd, then by 2 laps they're 5-10 seconds apart. Tanguy chases for 4th, Card for 5th, but to the average spectator, YOU CAN'T figure out who's leading, etc.
BORING!!!!
I'll stay and watch a Pro I/II crit any day cause every lap there's someone else leading, winning a prime, going elbow to elbow down the line, if not till the end of the race, at least for 1/2 of it.
There's something to actually get interested in watching.
Look at it from the promoters point of view. WHY would I go through all the work to host 8 Elite men, when the pay-day is coming from the 25 B's and 50 C's who show up?
Until there's 25+ Elite Men lining up, the RACERS will have to do something to create a little interest, get more fans involved, and bring more people to the races.
I agree with BORING, drop the Elite Men's and Womens races and cater to the C and B classes who are actually giving the promoter a pay-back!!!
Its pretty sad when the 08 state champion didnt even come back to defend his title. I think it may have been a 1st in the series, maybe that evil sucker new something others didnt.
why move up to elite & get lapped by wiz just to make the numbers higher?
Watch a Michigan Pro I/II Crit and watch everyone sit in until there is a sprint for a prime or the finish. Then everyone can go home and brag about how fast they were. Because "I was in it until the sprint." Except most of them weren't really in it because they can't make the watts to stay at the front.
So when 'cross comes around all of a sudden these guys are off the back because they don't have the juice to go fast, or the skills to stay upright.
They can't cope with it.
3 races left in the tailwind series, maybe someone from the road elite will show up and prove me wrong...
Somehow I doubt it.
Has TMcxS hit a wall? Maybe, but I don't think so. Definetly room for improvement though.
Anonymous said...
Watch a Michigan Pro I/II Crit and watch everyone sit in until there is a sprint for a prime or the finish. Then everyone can go home and brag about how fast they were. Because "I was in it until the sprint." Except most of them weren't really in it because they can't make the watts to stay at the front.
So when 'cross comes around all of a sudden these guys are off the back because they don't have the juice to go fast, or the skills to stay upright.
They can't cope with it.
3 races left in the tailwind series, maybe someone from the road elite will show up and prove me wrong...
Somehow I doubt it.
Call it like you see it! NICE!!!
True. When the bike racing involves fitness, few can hang. The Michigan P12 road field/races would be much different if there were significant hills in the state and you couldn't just sit in. Also why CX and XC mtb racing may not be so exciting to watch. You can't hide if you don't have the fitness.
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