Just getting caught up on the 2008 IM
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kpollock posted 17 weeks ago.
I know nothing about brakes, cables, etc...I just ride the bike...but I have the dvd and have watched it a few times. I think the reason he didn't continue was because he knew by being down 30-45 min to fix the cable, he didn't have a shot at winning, I suppose. But, I do understand where you are coming from...couldn't he had just finished anyway regardless of what place he came in? Norman Stadler and Sinballe didn't give up, but I guess to each their own. People have different reasons for doing things.
And yes, Wellington is amazing!
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TonisTri posted 17 weeks ago.
I think this whole issue was discussed on another thread. The idea was that for a pro, if you totally lose your shot at winning, you need to save your legs/energy for your next race instead of just trying to finish. I am sure somebody else can explain this way better than I.
That which does not kill me makes me faster...
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Gsal posted 17 weeks ago.
i'm not sure if you heard incorrectly or if possibly the commentators messed up, but it was his front derailleur cable that broke, so he couldnt shift into the big ring. That, and the issue that TonisTri mentioned were the two main reasons that he didnt want to finish. Pros are in it to win it. More power to them if they dont have a good day and finish nonetheless, just like Rutger Beke did in 2007, only to come back and make the podium in 08. Still, many pros cant deal with the thought that they will be seen not being able to give it their all.
"You can never be too rich or too skinny."
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jro81 posted 17 weeks ago.
I tried to find some sort of article or something to back it up and I could not, but I too thought I heard on some video or something that his derailleur cable broke. I def remember seeing him getting passed like he was standing still right before he called it and I remember thinking "thats not right"
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jnrice posted 17 weeks ago.
Gsal wrote:
i'm not sure if you heard incorrectly or if possibly the commentators messed up, but it was his front derailleur cable that broke, so he couldnt shift into the big ring.
I can see that. The DVD did say break cable and I didn't understand that. A broken derailleur cable is a totally different story and I can see a pro dropping out with a 1/2 hr delay. Thanks for clearing this up, but I would want the record set straight if I was McCourmac. Here i thought he was a whining little triathlete when he had a real reason for not continuing.
Here I am, not doing Biology (as I should be) and watching the complete 2008 IM video on youtube before they pull it. I've realized two things, Wellington is an animal and McCourmac has no right to bail because of a broken BRAKE cable. I thought he broke a derailure cable! Is there a rule that you can't ride without two working brakes? I'm just saying, if I was racing the Kona IM I would not be stopped by losing a brake cable. You just work around that one. I know that those are big words, but he's a big boy and a pro so I think it's a a reasonable statement. I'm not knocking his accomplishments but just questioning his decision to not continue. Can anyone talk me down from this?