April 18, 2011 by Irish Peloton
PR killed the radio star
Earlier today on twitter I mentioned the contrast between Dan Martin’s opinion of radios in last month’s Pro Cycling magazine compared to this month’s Pro Cycling magazine.
He may have genuinely changed his mind. Then again he may also have been influenced by the Garmin-Cervelo public relations machine, we’ll probably never know. But with the big bust up today between the professional teams and the UCI, it’s hard not to be sceptical.
Anyway, here’s a couple of excerpts from Dan Martin’s column over the last two months:
Pro Cycling Magazine March 2011
“I’ve got to admit that I do dislike the tactical impact that radios have on races. Surprise attacks are often ruined by prior warning…”
“At the end of a day racing without radios, the only real difference we noticed was the delay in directors learning about mechanical problems and fallen riders.”
Pro Cycling Magazine April 2011
“I now feel better placed to present the arguments relating to the race radio ban, having had more experience racing without the dreaded earpieces!”
“The fact that we are making a stand [the UCI’s] dictatorial rulings is refreshing and although the UCI has previously implemented some effective regulations that has kept us safe and improved the sport, I think this is one rule too far.”
“Maybe we’re all afraid of change but after a few months, I’m happy to be racing in mainly World Tour events for the rest of the season. With my earpiece firmly in place.”
Dennis - April 18, 2011 @ 9:10 pm
5 stages in Tour Méditerranéen, he DNF’ed on the second stage of Haut Var, Clasica de Almeria and then 3 stages of Vuelta Murcia (one TT). So he’s basing his decision on 9 race days without radio. If that’s relevant I don’t know, because from the quotes above it seems like he’s only refering to the politics behind the decision, and not race situations. So, politics and PR.
Irish Peloton - April 18, 2011 @ 9:20 pm
Well I was cherry picking quotes there. In fairness to him he did mention a few race scenarios; breakaway gaps, cars in the peloton, that sort of thing.
But as a whole, the second one, in my opinion, defo has a PR whiff about it.
Bruce - April 22, 2011 @ 9:34 am
In light of your previous post re Vaughters’ twitter activity levels, what do you make of his current PR stunt/flurry of tweets re shaving his sideburns? Against a backdrop of him not attending the UCI/teams meeting this week. the heated e-mails with McQuaid and further coverage of the Trent Lowe story (http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/news/23806/Investigation:-Cycling’s-David-v-Goliath:-Part-I-)
Am I being cynical or is he proving your theory?
Irish Peloton - April 23, 2011 @ 9:03 am
Well spotted! Again I would say they are definitely related. Vaughters and his PR manager would have known the Tan articles were on the way. I have no doubt that they brainstormed and came up with something to distract. Of course we are being cynical, but with good reason!