As foul-mouthed press conference rants go, Bradley Wiggins’ spray at people who doubt that it’s possible to win clean in professional cycling must be one of the all-time great efforts. But does it betray signs of stress?
In his own words, when asked about online accusations of doping: “I say they’re just f–king wankers. I cannot be doing with people like that. It justifies their own bone idleness because they can’t imagine applying themselves to do anything in their lives.
“It’s easy for them to sit under a pseudonym on Twitter and write that sort of s–t, rather than get off their own arses in their own lives and apply themselves and work hard at something and achieve something. And that’s ultimately what counts. C**ts.”
Gee Brad, why don’t you tell us what you really think?
On one hand, I like his honesty. We’ve all seen enough dull press conferences where blank-eyed sportspeople mouth platitudes about giving full credit to the boys who gave it 110 percent and our opponents were real quality yes sir no sir three bags full sir.
Wiggins walked into that press conference wearing the yellow jersey of the biggest race in the world, having spent a tough day countering attacks from several key rivals, supported by a strong and united team, and there should have been plenty to ask him.
Form, tactics, the work of his team-mates, how he feels about wearing the yellow jersey, how the team is planning to defend the lead for two weeks: all of these are legitimate questions.
Instead he was asked a ridiculous question about doping, in a week where speculation about Lance Armstrong’s alleged past misdemeanours has been a massive and unwelcome distraction from Wiggins’ own achievement.
Wiggins has never been linked with doping, so it’s understandable that he would resent the insinuation being repeated by a mischievous journalist. It deserved a dismissive answer.
But does his entertaining response betray the pressure Wiggins is feeling as he faces up to the hopes of the British sporting public? The British media is notorious for building up its athletes before an event, raising the level of expectation to dizzying heights.
I watched the British Eurosport post-race analysis following stage eight, and the three studio presenters (James Richardson, Rob Hayles and Tony Gibb) seemed utterly certain that Wiggins has the Tour wrapped up. You can read similar analysis all over the British press. The hype is intense.
Just have a look at what that has done to Scotland’s Andy Murray, who continues to fail at the final hurdle. Is Wiggins subconsciously trying to inject a bit of anti-hero into his image, to ease the adulation, and with it the pressure?
Wiggins is obviously well placed and looks strong, but a lot could happen in the two weeks remaining in the Tour. He knows that as well as anyone.
And it’s not the first time this week he’s lashed out with a few choice words. A couple of days ago he had a swing at a TV cameraman who got in his way after the stage. You can see in videos on YouTube that he turns around and yells: “Fucking arse-wipe, fucking wipe me out with a camera you stupid c*nt.”
A charming demonstration of one of London’s popular dialects.
In some ways (albeit without the effing and blinding) it reminds me of Cadel Evans’ frustrations with the press in the 2008 and 2009 Tours, and that didn’t end well.
Is the pressure getting to Wiggins, too?
Tim Renowden
Expert
I'll give you one more reply, Tom! One game each for Pattinson and Cummins isn't really enough to find much form - remember they're both kids and inexperienced outside Australia. Warner not the only disappointing batsman. Not that surprising though when you consider they haven't played *any* cricket since the West Indies tour in April - that's three months without a single competitive match. AFL has relevance only in that I brought it up to explain why hardly anyone in Australia even noticed there was a cricket ODI series on, much less cared about the result. Cricket is lucky to be less than about 6 pages back in the sports coverage, this time of year. It's definitely not a source of national angst. Now, that's enough cricket chat for a cycling page ;)
Tom Callaghan
Guest
Tim. Another reply! I'm honoured. But I thought that Cummins and Pattinson-'the terror twins'- were Australia's gun bowlers. Both played at least one game. Warner failed asa batsman. What relevance does AFL have for the rest of the world.I see predictions for GB gold medal tally range from 19 to 27 for London olympics.
Tim Renowden
Expert
Yes but Australia didn't pick its "gun bowlers", they picked Mitchell Johnson (who continues to chuck pies at every opportunity) and Brett Lee, who is great, but getting a bit past it :P The team was rusty, but they do need to improve in English conditions. By footy, I mean AFL and for many readers of this site, rugby league. I understand that many English people don't believe that the sport with the biggest following here (I live in Melbourne) is the strange game that doesn't exist outside our borders, but it's true! But if we are talking about soccer football, England's FIFA ranking seems a bit dodgy given that England isn't even in the top four in Europe and hasn't made the semis of anything for years!
Tom Callaghan
Guest
Tim,-Thanks for the reply. Yes, I thought the one day series was meaningless but The Greatest Living Australian-Warnie-said that 'this young Australian side' were going to land important psychological blows in advance of the Ashes and that renowned pom baiter Malcolm Conn wrote in the Cricketer that 'Australia's gun bowlers' were going to rip through England's 'flimsy middle order' He said that England's 'Castles had crumbled in the winter' whereas Australia had found a 'muscular pace attack that was going to stick it up the Poms' It does not seem to have turned out that way. You can talk about the footy. England didn't do well at the Euros but do appear to be ranked number four in the world by FIFA!
Tim Renowden
Expert
Haha, nice troll, Tom! I know it's not well known in England, but Australia also plays cricket against other nations, so I suggest you go and look up the results of our last few Test series, particularly the whitewash of India. Losing a meaningless ODI series in England, after not playing for 3 months, is not exactly the worst sort of sporting disaster. Besides, it's footy season and nobody seems to have noticed. Now, let's not get started on the footy...
Steve mcc
Guest
Would love to see more people challenging for the GC. Seems lately that one team attracts many top riders and I think it would be more exciting if they were all racing for themselves. Might break it open and keep the interest. Basically cannot see how Cadel can break wiggins and his entourage -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
Does Wiggins need to vary his pace? He seems to be able to time trial up a hill quite well, just at the same steady and fast pace. Why not work out the time it is expected to take to climb a hill based on previous records and then program your computer to monitor a set average speed up the hill? Wiggins should ignore the others and what they do and just go the same speed the whole way up, sometimes he will be ahead, sometimes behind but he should get to the top at about the same time. With the knowledge of how his body performs the team should be able to come up with a formula using his wattage and heart rates to come up with a plan on every hill
Tom Callaghan
Guest
Bones 506 'descends aboutas well as a grandma with a walker'? Strewth! These are rather intemperate comments. Are Australian cycling fans and Australian sports fans in general feeling stressed at Australia's lack of success in the Tour , cricket, etc....
Bones506
Roar Guru
Wiggins descends about as well as a Grandma with an easy walker. Two weeks and 2000km to go. A lot can happen between now and then
Tom Callaghan
Guest
Zacbrygel, Only a matter of time before Evans throws toys out of pram.....
Tom Callaghan
Guest
Bones 506. Keep telling yourself that. You know that Evans has as much chance of beating Wiggins as Australia have of beating England at cricket.
sph45
Guest
I agree Phelpsy. Forget pressure - Wiggins and Evans, and all the riders in the race understand the meaning of blood, sweat and tears. They, almost uniquely in today's world, know what hard work and effort really means. They also know that most of the rest of the population, including dozens and dozens of journalists, have zero comprehension of what they go through physically and mentally; they (and me) have zero understanding about just what it takes. I don't begrudge journalists their job - it can be and often is an admirable profession - and there is no question that doping has substantially muddied the waters - but I also don't begrudge Wiggins his response. Certainly it lacked grace (and those who can deal gracefully with such 'externalities' perhaps deserve even more respect) but I also think there is a strong message in his reply for those who are really prepared to listen.
desmondo
Guest
I reckon it's the massive pressure put on him. I've seen a couple of interviews in the past where he had an exchange or two with journos but at least then, there's a touch of his witty humour. none on this though. this episode does not event put a tiny bit of dent in his image. he's got a massive following here in the uk. interesting putting the murray comparison out there. murray is portrayed as a petulant spoilt brat when he hits out like that, but not wiggins? dunno. he is a likeable fella. twitter helped him heaps. his personality comes through there. not so much the bad boy of cycling but he is a bit rock and roll, and comes across as one of the lads, a geezer, your regular bloke youd speak to in a pub. of course twitter (or should that be trolls?) got the better of him this time. but as a follower of his tweets, im not surprised by his blunt response. misplaced profanity was off putting but hey, lad in a pub swears a lot. I think he was just annoyed that brits rather watch murray fail in the final than see him ride in the most coveted jersey in cycling.
Chalky26
Guest
Agree with the comment on good manners but understandable to allow some frustration at the question. Perhaps Sky should ask Chris Froome to handle the press conferences all the time ! On an interesting note this is going to be one great race and expect as the comments above show that Cadel Evans is not going to fade away nor will Nibali hesitate to have a crack. There are going to be some nice alliances to see if they can pick of SKY this is going to be great sport and we should sit back and enjoy it. Admit am hoping for a Wiggins or Froome win - personally it could be Froome and wouldn't be surprised as he is away from the limelight but pushed the pace in the TT yesterday. Happy Cycling
NickF
Guest
I have heard that Murray hate being called "the Super Domestique", and Anthony is tired of carrying the feed bags.
NickF
Guest
I reckon Wiggins is a man with a large ego and a bit of a temper. Someone should call it a "Roid rage", and then watch him really go off. Actually he's a bit like the Gallager brothers from Oasis.
Bones506
Roar Guru
I do not believ Wiggins is in a different class. We are 1 week into a three week race and Cadel HAS won a Yellow Jersey. Wiggins has not. Some points of note: 1. Wiggins is not as good a climber as Cadel. cadel is able to vary his pace. Wiggins is not able to do this. 2. Cadel is a FAR SUPERIOR descender and a lot of time can be taken back given there are only three moutain top finishes and 1 is already done and dusted. 3. Cadel is a much more experienced Grand Tour rider and there is ~2,000km to go. Agreed on advantage to Wiggins right now but to say his in a different league is not justified. Froome is actually a better rider than Wiggins.
Australian Rules
Guest
Hats off to Wiggs for a superb spray. And to finish off with a c-bomb..! Fantastic stuff (clapping)
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
I reckon Wiggins is just stressed about Le Tour. If someone in the media can really aggregate him; then it's advantage Evans.
Brenda
Guest
Floyd Landis, Lance Armstrong, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_doping_cases_in_cycling. Are you trolling? If it is proved that Armstrong did dope from his 1999-2005 tour de France wins, he killed off golden era of competition