Hiya!
The last few days the headlines have all been about Spain's struggling economy and how they are going to meet the rising level of debt the nation has now incurred given that they are paying well above the 'unsustainable' 7% level that triggered bailouts for Greece, Portugal and Ireland. Stock markets around the world plummeted on Monday and again yesterday as investors ran for cover amid fears that several regional governments in Spain would be asking the central government for further funds to pay debts they are currently unable to meet. Both Valencia and Murcia yesterday asked for further funds to stave off the possibility of complete bankruptcy and this morning Cataluna followed suit in what, commentators say, is the most cash-starved and debt-ridden Province in Spain.
The 7.52% interest rate that Spain is now paying for it's 10 year loans is surely unsustainable in a country with little or no manufacturing industry, an unemployment rate of 24.4% and an economy so firmly entrenched in depression that without drastic and prompt intervention will surely cease to operate in any functional way. In Brussels yesterday Spain's Secretary of State for EU Affairs, Inigo Mendez de Vigo, tried to deflect attention from the immediate problem by pointing his finger at the "worrying gap between the decisions which are taken at the European Council and their implementation" following the last Euro summit (in June) where it had been agreed that part of the EU's €700bn bailout funds could be used to purchase bonds of those nations struggling to meet their debt repayments, thereby easing borrowing costs. However, inaction seems to be the order of the day with Germany also under pressure following the notice given by Moody's (ratings agency) that they may face a downgrade in their credit rating if things don't change, sparking mounting speculation that Germany may end the year in in an unprecedented recession.
In the Independent (Hamish McRae-The Independent) Hamish McRae talks about the 'inevitability' of the break-up of the Eurozone with Greece surely on way its' way out. Discussion, he says, has now switched to the pluses and minuses of Spain and/or Italy leaving as well as Greece, putting Euro politicians in a sort of political no-mans land, unsure of what to do or say in the face of an unheralded economic depression.
Faced with mounting fiscal debt and strife governments have previously been able to devalue their way out of a loss of competitiveness or inflate their way out of excessive debt in order to conceal any fiscal shortfalls, but within the Eurozone such tactics are not possible. Not so long ago when the Eurozone was visibly strong, standing shoulder to shoulder added not only financial strength and clout but increased political and social stability within the continent. But once the cracks started to appear the shoulder to shoulder aspect has been shown to be a weak and one dimensional policy that is now threatening to undermine the very core of the zone itself. Greece, then Ireland, then Portugal have wobbled. Now comes the turn of Spain, and possibly Italy too who may well be getting sucked into the same cycle of over-hiked interest rates and unsustainable repayment levels that is causing all the worry in Spain. Now in place of fiscal strength and political power we have so many political dominoes lined up, just waiting to be toppled over by the next financial earthquake.
In Spain, as well as in most of the developed world, we are facing rising dependency rates with more and more people unemployed and rising numbers of pensioners each year, and all at a time when tax revenues are dropping globally and people are demanding and expecting more from both their hard earned pennies and their hard-pressed governments.
So what is the answer?
There is no simple, one rule which can be applied to every situation in every nation with guaranteed success. Politicians the world over are facing new challenges and will need to find new answers to new problems if the Eurozone and the rest of the developed (or capitalist, if you prefer) world is to return to some sort of stable profitability. I don't believe that breaking up the Eurozone will be the saviour that many suggest. The investment, financially, socially and morally is surely too great now to enable a gangrenous limb or two to be severed in order to save the torso. At this stage treating the affected areas is a far better course of action than just lopping southern Europe off, a policy that would without doubt lead to a 2-tier Europe, and have disastrous social and political consequences around the Mediterranean nations that may well spill over into a more serious and violent reaction that could drag the whole of Europe into renewed military conflict.
A bit extreme perhaps but extreme conditions provoke extreme measures. Poverty, hunger and strife have led to many a revolution and should such a 2-tier Europe arrive then jealousy, bitterness and anger would be added to the list of grievances in the poorer, sunnier regions of Europe. I can't talk about how people in the cities of Spain are coping because I have no experience of this, but in the campo, in the countryside you can see the desperation on the gaunt, hungry faces of the people. With more and more imported cheap foods and crops the arable land of Spain is being left to rot. Young kids do not want to work the fields for an income that is dropping relative to the cost of living each and every year. More and more fields are just left to rot and overgrow. Whole crops wasted because it now costs more to pick and transport the yield than it can be sold for - signs at the sides of roads inviting passers-by to 'help themselves' to the crop are becoming a sad but increasingly desperate sign of the times.
Hardship is felt most by those at the bottom of the pile and in Spain, as in most countries, it is the rural areas that suffer the most. People try to hide their strains behind a smile and a wave, but once the smile has dissipated you can see eyes shooting furtive, worried glances at the faces of their children, at the holes in their clothes and the vacant places in their wallets. When they talk of their children's future it is not of Spain now, but of getting out. This is something new in a society where the family is, by tradition, everything. Now they talk of their children's future being elsewhere, somewhere apart from Spain, somewhere far away from the hardships of the parents. And for many parents now, that is all there is left. Many of those middle-aged men and women who are currently unemployed truly never expect to get a job again in their lives. Spain, they say, is finished. This economic depression will last a generation or more here by which time they will dead and their children will be gone.
And as for Spain? They don't know, but whatever future lies ahead for Spain it is not envisaged to be a bright one. I can only hope they are wrong.
P XXX
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Monday, 23 July 2012
Go Go Wiggo!
Hiya!
What else is there to talk about?
Bradley Wiggins. You are a God amongst men.
What an amazing victory! And what an amazing team you are a part of. Quite rightly Wiggo will get most of the plaudits but if ever there was a team who the Tour this was it. Team Sky - each and every one of them - were head and shoulders above the rest. Dave Brailsford's (Team Sky Principal - Fig. 1) vision has been laid bare for the rest of us mere mortals to marvel at. After turning Britain's track team from also runs into the premier nation in the world he joined Team Sky as Principal two years ago, promising at the time (if memory serves) a British winner of the Tour within 6 years. Well, the man has done it in less than a third of the time and, in my humble opinion, deserves as much credit for the victory as Wiggo himself.
The plaudits will rain down thick and fast on Wiggo. A knighthood is almost guaranteed and with yet more glory beckoning at the upcoming London Olympics (Wiggins is scheduled to be riding in Saturdays Road Race as part of Team GB who will be looking to get Cav into a Gold medal winning position and he must now also be firm favourite for the Individual Time Trial 3 days later). But it was Brailsford's vision that sealed Wiggo's victory. The way Brailsford prepared for and ushered his team during this Tour was the epitome of professionalism and organisation.
Wiggo was never lower than second place in this years Tour and once he took hold of the maillot jeune there was no way he and Brailsford were going to let go. A remarkable achievement that owes so much to the way the whole team worked together to nullify any possible threats, in most instances, before they even arose. The Spanish commentator yesterday noted how, when the peleton hit the Champs Elysees, Team Sky had not two or three men at the front closing down any time gaps for their sprinter, but six, all working together. And it's been that way throughout the Tour. Yesterday it was for Cav who pulled out all stops, once again showing he has the most fearsome acceleration in cycling today as he ripped the opposition apart to win clearly for his 4th consecutive victory on the final day of the Tour (Fig. 2).
But in the mountains it had been for Wiggo. Christian Knees, Edvald van Boassen Hagen, Berhard Eisel, Michael Rogers, Richie Porte and Cav himself, all did more than their bit. Again the Spanish commentators marvelled each time Cav was seen dropping back to be the water carrier for the team. 'A World Champion and the best sprinter on the planet? Water carrying? He can't be happy!' But one only had to see Cav's reaction in the post-race interview yesterday to know how much it all meant to him.
Every member of the team worked to fulfill Brailsford's instructions to the letter. Each of them hitting the front as the mountains loomed, working their socks off to keep Wiggo in touch. From the moment Wiggo put himself in yellow the team began to push the pace so hard, one rider after another giving their all then falling back, that I truly believe all of Wiggo's rivals were suffering too much to establish any strong breakaways. As the peleton raced up mountain after mountain Team Sky kept the pressure on. Eisel, Knees, Boassen Hagen, Rogers, Porte and then finally second placed hero, Chris Froome all rode so hard that when push finally came to shove Nibali, Van den Broeck, Brajkovic, Evans and the rest had nothing left to offer.
In the end there was only one man left standing shoulder to shoulder with Wiggins and that was his team-mate Froome (Fig. 4). At only 27 Froome must surely have many grand tours left and his performances in the Tour and last years Vuelta mark him now as a genuine contender for future victories himself. On TVE they had the Director of the Vuelta and he said (if I got my Spanish correct) that they were hoping Froome would be riding this years Vuelta as Team Sky leader against, none other than, Alberto Contador who would be competing in his first grand tour since returning from his ban. Now that would be something I would love to see.
There is much speculation and not an insubstantial amount of criticism here in Spain of Wiggins, Brailsford, and Team Sky because of the way Froome rode, particularly on stage 17 at Peyragudes. The criticism peaked as Froome appeared to be capable of riding away from Wiggins on the final part of the climb. With Nibali and Evans already distanced, and Alejandro Valverde up ahead and seemingly catchable by Froome, they were appalled to see Froome waiting for and egging Wiggins on. For them there is no altruism or team play apparently. Froome should have been allowed to go for the victory and that was all there was to it!
Well, maybe. But in the end it would not have made any difference to the final result. The time gap between Wiggins and Froome was large enough to have accommodated another win for Froome I think, but I'm not Dave Brailsford. And I'm certainly not Wiggins. Team Sky came to the Tour with the specific aim of winning with team leader Bradley Wiggins. That is exactly what they did and Froome was a huge part of that and, for want of a Spanish rider on the podium, the jealousy and pettiness exhibited by the producers and commentators of the Spanish broadcast was shameful. After Wiggo's virtuoso performance on stage 19 to slaughter the field in the final time-trial they refused to show his post-race interview. The only day during the whole Tour when we didn't hear from the stage winner. But to compound their childish jealousy, as Wiggins was on the podium yesterday the main presenter said, "Yes, a good winner, but not a fair one. He won't win it again!" And then the producers neglected to show Wiggo's interview once again. As the interview started they proceeded to talk over him and then just left it altogether to talk about a stage of the upcoming Vuelta. Perhaps, I thought, they might show it later! But no! It didn't stop there either. Criticism of British cycling generally because 'so much money has been thrown at them, how can they possibly fail?' along with a more directed critique of Team Sky for making the Tour boring by not allowing breakaways to establish. It's pathetic! It really is!
Wiggo has shown himself to be the best cyclist in the world right now. He has won a very hard Tour with huge winning margin and must now surely be regarded as one of Britain's greatest ever sportsmen. Why not jump on the Brad-wagon and make yourself up a Brad mask (Fig. 5) like me and the lady in the picture!
See you soon
P XXX
What else is there to talk about?
Bradley Wiggins. You are a God amongst men.
What an amazing victory! And what an amazing team you are a part of. Quite rightly Wiggo will get most of the plaudits but if ever there was a team who the Tour this was it. Team Sky - each and every one of them - were head and shoulders above the rest. Dave Brailsford's (Team Sky Principal - Fig. 1) vision has been laid bare for the rest of us mere mortals to marvel at. After turning Britain's track team from also runs into the premier nation in the world he joined Team Sky as Principal two years ago, promising at the time (if memory serves) a British winner of the Tour within 6 years. Well, the man has done it in less than a third of the time and, in my humble opinion, deserves as much credit for the victory as Wiggo himself.
Figure 1. Dave Brailsford - Team Sky Principal
The plaudits will rain down thick and fast on Wiggo. A knighthood is almost guaranteed and with yet more glory beckoning at the upcoming London Olympics (Wiggins is scheduled to be riding in Saturdays Road Race as part of Team GB who will be looking to get Cav into a Gold medal winning position and he must now also be firm favourite for the Individual Time Trial 3 days later). But it was Brailsford's vision that sealed Wiggo's victory. The way Brailsford prepared for and ushered his team during this Tour was the epitome of professionalism and organisation.
Wiggo was never lower than second place in this years Tour and once he took hold of the maillot jeune there was no way he and Brailsford were going to let go. A remarkable achievement that owes so much to the way the whole team worked together to nullify any possible threats, in most instances, before they even arose. The Spanish commentator yesterday noted how, when the peleton hit the Champs Elysees, Team Sky had not two or three men at the front closing down any time gaps for their sprinter, but six, all working together. And it's been that way throughout the Tour. Yesterday it was for Cav who pulled out all stops, once again showing he has the most fearsome acceleration in cycling today as he ripped the opposition apart to win clearly for his 4th consecutive victory on the final day of the Tour (Fig. 2).
But in the mountains it had been for Wiggo. Christian Knees, Edvald van Boassen Hagen, Berhard Eisel, Michael Rogers, Richie Porte and Cav himself, all did more than their bit. Again the Spanish commentators marvelled each time Cav was seen dropping back to be the water carrier for the team. 'A World Champion and the best sprinter on the planet? Water carrying? He can't be happy!' But one only had to see Cav's reaction in the post-race interview yesterday to know how much it all meant to him.
Figure 2. Cav holds up 4 fingers to show the number of victories he has to his name on the Champs Elysees.
Every member of the team worked to fulfill Brailsford's instructions to the letter. Each of them hitting the front as the mountains loomed, working their socks off to keep Wiggo in touch. From the moment Wiggo put himself in yellow the team began to push the pace so hard, one rider after another giving their all then falling back, that I truly believe all of Wiggo's rivals were suffering too much to establish any strong breakaways. As the peleton raced up mountain after mountain Team Sky kept the pressure on. Eisel, Knees, Boassen Hagen, Rogers, Porte and then finally second placed hero, Chris Froome all rode so hard that when push finally came to shove Nibali, Van den Broeck, Brajkovic, Evans and the rest had nothing left to offer.
Figure 3. Wiggo crosses the line yesterday to become the first British winner of the Tour de France.
Figure 4. Chris Froome always seems to be smiling!
There is much speculation and not an insubstantial amount of criticism here in Spain of Wiggins, Brailsford, and Team Sky because of the way Froome rode, particularly on stage 17 at Peyragudes. The criticism peaked as Froome appeared to be capable of riding away from Wiggins on the final part of the climb. With Nibali and Evans already distanced, and Alejandro Valverde up ahead and seemingly catchable by Froome, they were appalled to see Froome waiting for and egging Wiggins on. For them there is no altruism or team play apparently. Froome should have been allowed to go for the victory and that was all there was to it!
Well, maybe. But in the end it would not have made any difference to the final result. The time gap between Wiggins and Froome was large enough to have accommodated another win for Froome I think, but I'm not Dave Brailsford. And I'm certainly not Wiggins. Team Sky came to the Tour with the specific aim of winning with team leader Bradley Wiggins. That is exactly what they did and Froome was a huge part of that and, for want of a Spanish rider on the podium, the jealousy and pettiness exhibited by the producers and commentators of the Spanish broadcast was shameful. After Wiggo's virtuoso performance on stage 19 to slaughter the field in the final time-trial they refused to show his post-race interview. The only day during the whole Tour when we didn't hear from the stage winner. But to compound their childish jealousy, as Wiggins was on the podium yesterday the main presenter said, "Yes, a good winner, but not a fair one. He won't win it again!" And then the producers neglected to show Wiggo's interview once again. As the interview started they proceeded to talk over him and then just left it altogether to talk about a stage of the upcoming Vuelta. Perhaps, I thought, they might show it later! But no! It didn't stop there either. Criticism of British cycling generally because 'so much money has been thrown at them, how can they possibly fail?' along with a more directed critique of Team Sky for making the Tour boring by not allowing breakaways to establish. It's pathetic! It really is!
Figure 5. Enlarge this pic, then print off cutting carefully round Brad's face. Then finally stick on your Brad-burns!
Wiggo has shown himself to be the best cyclist in the world right now. He has won a very hard Tour with huge winning margin and must now surely be regarded as one of Britain's greatest ever sportsmen. Why not jump on the Brad-wagon and make yourself up a Brad mask (Fig. 5) like me and the lady in the picture!
See you soon
P XXX
Sunday, 22 July 2012
Froomey & Wiggo - The Best Double Act since Morecombe & Wise?
Hiya!
What's been going on at the Tour since I was last here? Well, let me tell you, it's been an action packed week with drama-a-plenty. First and worst is the positive drug test of Frank Schleck on 14th July. Traces of Xipamide were found in this B-sample and he was immediately suspended by his team RadioShack-Nissan. Prior to the start of the Tour Frank had been touted as one of the big pre-Tour favourites, but his performances early in the season did little to convince me that he would be a threat once the race got under way. Under pressure to win and succeed did Frank buckle and try cheat the system? I don't know and the only one who really knows for sure is Frank himself. However, I do believe in innocent till proven guilty and until the case against him is proven and Frank is actually banned I, for one, shall allow him the benefit of the doubt.
Frank is not a stupid man and I cannot believe that if he intended to cheat and take the risk of ruining not only his career, but his hard won reputation, then surely there would be a far better choice of drug than Xipamide. Xipamide is, as far as I can tell, a diuretic drug that is used in the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) and oedema. This is a drug that would be unlikely to add any sort of performance-based improvement, in fact some doctors state that under duress this drug can be dangerous and even cause death. It also has common side-effects that include cramps and muscular weakness (see both Frank banned and Xipamide) making this is a poor choice of banned substance if one is intent on cheating.
This is a story that will no doubt run and run, but for now in the light of the current evidence I give Frank my thumbs up and hope that cycling can avoid being raked over the coals yet again. I just hope the truth wins out and every party gets what they truly deserve.
At the Tour itself we left the Alps and hit the huge mountains of the Pyrenees - always my favourite section of the Tour, not just for the amazing beauty of the scenery, but for the excitement that always accompanies the big mountain stages. And this year was no different.
Stage 16 saw the peleton tackling the Hors Categorie giants of the Col d'Aubisque and the Col du Tourmalet. In 1910 Octave Lapiz (who went on to victory in Paris after a ding-dong battle with Francois Faber) made the first ascent of the massive Tourmalet and upon reaching the summit screamed to the officials checking the riders through that "vous etes tous des assassins!" - You are all murderers! These days there is a proper road for the cyclists to ride on, as opposed to the donkey tracks that Lapiz had struggled up, but even at over 19km long and 2115m high the Tourmalet is anything but an easy ride. In 1983, on the exact same stage (Pau to Bagneres du Luchon), Robert Millar had also famously become the first Briton to win a mountain stage of the Tour. Would 2012 see something similar?
With HC giants behind them, by the time the riders had reached the final climb of the day, the first category Col du Peyresourde, all the riders were suffering. After a brutal day Nibali's options from third position overall were becoming limited and with time now short he needed to make his play for the top. Finally Nibali took his opportunity and broke away with about 4km of the climb remaining and initially opened a small gap. But Froome never looked like letting Nibali get away and he closed down the threat with Wiggo on his wheel. At the top of the climb the top three went over together and finished together in Bagneres du Luchon (Fig. 1). Thomas Voeckler (Team Europcar) won the day magnificently from the break away for his second win of the Tour.
The following day, stage 17, was another monster day and perhaps more significantly, was the last chance for Nibali to make any impression on the dynamic duo. He had to mix it up knowing that he stands to lose significant time to both Wiggins and Froome in the final time trial 2 days later.
In the event the day was won from the front by Alejandro Valverde (Team Movistar) with a fantastic solo ride. Nibali never found the legs and struggled up the Peyresourde losing significant time to both Wiggo and Froome.
At the bottom of the final climb Valverde had almost 7 minutes on the chasing group that included all the top names, but by the finish he just hung on to win by 11 seconds from a fast closing Chris Froome, with Brad a close third. Fantastico!!
For me watching it was emotional. I never thought I'd live to see a British winner of the Tour de France, but here was Wiggo making it happen right before my eyes. Wiggo himself said afterwards, "The minute we went over the Peyresourde I knew that was it. I still felt fantastic at that point. We hit the last climb and I went on the front. I just lost concentration and started thinking a lot of things. Froomey was egging me on for more but I knew that [the riders behind] were all gone".
I could see Wiggo chatting to Froomey on the descent from the Hors Categorie Port du Bales Nibali had struggled up the last kilometer of the Bales and Brad had clocked it. "At that point, the first time in this whole Tour since I've led this race, I thought 'maybe I've just won the Tour'. And that's when it starts getting hard then because you lose concentration. It was an incredible feeling. It really was."
You're not wrong Brad. It was. An incredible feeling.
Stage 18 saw the return of the prodigal. Mark Cavendish took the field apart in the final 600m dash winning clearly from Matt Goss (Orica Green EDGE) and green jersey holder, the ever combative, Peter Sagan of Liquigas. It was Cav's 22nd win and puts him equal 4th on the all time list of Tour Stage Winners along with Lance Armstrong.
Having done their share in the lead out to the line Wiggo (yellow jersey) and Froomey (at 2m 05secs) both finished close up in the peleton retaining their positions overall leaving it all to play for in the next day's time trial.
And when that day arrived, what a day we had!
Brad was imperious. From the get go Wiggins set the standard and in the shake down he was the only one who could stand the pace he himself had set. Throughout the day Luis Leon Sanchez (Team Rabobank) sweated as big hitter after big hitter failed to crack his time of just over one hour and 6 minutes. Finally Tejay Van Garderen (Team BMC) took away Luis Leon's fastest time at the first check after 14km, then came Froome faster still and finally the Wiggins whirlwind blowing everything apart. Van Garderen then faded so that by the second check he was some 25 secs behind Sanchez. The wind it seemed had changed direction and was now working against rather than for the riders in this part of the course. I began to fret a bit, especially after Froome came in with his initial advantage over Sanchez whittled down to a mere 4 seconds at the second check. But I needn't have worried. Wiggins breezed through the check point almost a minute up on his compatriot and it was all but game over.
By the finish Froome had rallied and fair slaughtered Sanchez's long standing best time coming in 34 seconds up. Unbelievable! But what did Wiggins have left in the tank after an incredibly gruelling Tour?
The bike camera following Wiggo gave us the answer as it flashed onto the bike's speedo to show 60kmh! Wiggo wasn't just beating the rest; he was hammering them out of sight! Young Brad sped across the line a full one minute 16 secs ahead of Froome, covering the 53.5km in an astounding 1 hr 04m 13secs at an average speed of just under 50kmh (Fig. 3). Simply the best!
Wiggins tried in vain to explain where this spectacular ride came from. "53km is a long way but it’s what I do best. I came out in March and looked at this course with Sean [Yates, Team Sky Sports Director]. I felt fantastic out there. The first pedal stroke in the warm-up I normally know whether I’m on it or not. I knew today the minute I rolled off that ramp that I was on a good one." 'A good one' is a slight understatement I think, but I applaud Wiggo's modesty!
"I wouldn't say it was a lap of honour, because it hurt, but I just wanted to finish the job off in style. There was a lot of emotion in the last 10k. Everything was going through my mind. All the years of getting to this point, my family, disappointments, crashing out the Tour last year, watching Cadel in this very position a year ago in Grenoble. I always imagined what that would feel like and now I know"
And it must feel amazing. At home I was sobbing quietly hoping the Missus wouldn't come in and change the channel! Wiggo continued.....
"I was thinking about my wife and children, my grandfather, my nan, my mother. That was just spurring me on with every pedal stroke. It sounds cheesy but you work your whole life to get to this point – it’s a defining moment in your life. From the minute I got into cycling as a kid it’s all summed up for today."
And a defining moment in my life too and I thank you Bradley Wiggins for giving it to me. You were my hero before....now, to call you a superhero seems inappropriate, but that is surely what you have become!
Congratulations on making history!
P XX
What's been going on at the Tour since I was last here? Well, let me tell you, it's been an action packed week with drama-a-plenty. First and worst is the positive drug test of Frank Schleck on 14th July. Traces of Xipamide were found in this B-sample and he was immediately suspended by his team RadioShack-Nissan. Prior to the start of the Tour Frank had been touted as one of the big pre-Tour favourites, but his performances early in the season did little to convince me that he would be a threat once the race got under way. Under pressure to win and succeed did Frank buckle and try cheat the system? I don't know and the only one who really knows for sure is Frank himself. However, I do believe in innocent till proven guilty and until the case against him is proven and Frank is actually banned I, for one, shall allow him the benefit of the doubt.
Frank is not a stupid man and I cannot believe that if he intended to cheat and take the risk of ruining not only his career, but his hard won reputation, then surely there would be a far better choice of drug than Xipamide. Xipamide is, as far as I can tell, a diuretic drug that is used in the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) and oedema. This is a drug that would be unlikely to add any sort of performance-based improvement, in fact some doctors state that under duress this drug can be dangerous and even cause death. It also has common side-effects that include cramps and muscular weakness (see both Frank banned and Xipamide) making this is a poor choice of banned substance if one is intent on cheating.
This is a story that will no doubt run and run, but for now in the light of the current evidence I give Frank my thumbs up and hope that cycling can avoid being raked over the coals yet again. I just hope the truth wins out and every party gets what they truly deserve.
At the Tour itself we left the Alps and hit the huge mountains of the Pyrenees - always my favourite section of the Tour, not just for the amazing beauty of the scenery, but for the excitement that always accompanies the big mountain stages. And this year was no different.
Stage 16 saw the peleton tackling the Hors Categorie giants of the Col d'Aubisque and the Col du Tourmalet. In 1910 Octave Lapiz (who went on to victory in Paris after a ding-dong battle with Francois Faber) made the first ascent of the massive Tourmalet and upon reaching the summit screamed to the officials checking the riders through that "vous etes tous des assassins!" - You are all murderers! These days there is a proper road for the cyclists to ride on, as opposed to the donkey tracks that Lapiz had struggled up, but even at over 19km long and 2115m high the Tourmalet is anything but an easy ride. In 1983, on the exact same stage (Pau to Bagneres du Luchon), Robert Millar had also famously become the first Briton to win a mountain stage of the Tour. Would 2012 see something similar?
With HC giants behind them, by the time the riders had reached the final climb of the day, the first category Col du Peyresourde, all the riders were suffering. After a brutal day Nibali's options from third position overall were becoming limited and with time now short he needed to make his play for the top. Finally Nibali took his opportunity and broke away with about 4km of the climb remaining and initially opened a small gap. But Froome never looked like letting Nibali get away and he closed down the threat with Wiggo on his wheel. At the top of the climb the top three went over together and finished together in Bagneres du Luchon (Fig. 1). Thomas Voeckler (Team Europcar) won the day magnificently from the break away for his second win of the Tour.
Figure 1. Nibali, Wiggins and Froome cross the line together in Bagneres du Luchon. Photo from Team Sky
The following day, stage 17, was another monster day and perhaps more significantly, was the last chance for Nibali to make any impression on the dynamic duo. He had to mix it up knowing that he stands to lose significant time to both Wiggins and Froome in the final time trial 2 days later.
In the event the day was won from the front by Alejandro Valverde (Team Movistar) with a fantastic solo ride. Nibali never found the legs and struggled up the Peyresourde losing significant time to both Wiggo and Froome.
At the bottom of the final climb Valverde had almost 7 minutes on the chasing group that included all the top names, but by the finish he just hung on to win by 11 seconds from a fast closing Chris Froome, with Brad a close third. Fantastico!!
For me watching it was emotional. I never thought I'd live to see a British winner of the Tour de France, but here was Wiggo making it happen right before my eyes. Wiggo himself said afterwards, "The minute we went over the Peyresourde I knew that was it. I still felt fantastic at that point. We hit the last climb and I went on the front. I just lost concentration and started thinking a lot of things. Froomey was egging me on for more but I knew that [the riders behind] were all gone".
I could see Wiggo chatting to Froomey on the descent from the Hors Categorie Port du Bales Nibali had struggled up the last kilometer of the Bales and Brad had clocked it. "At that point, the first time in this whole Tour since I've led this race, I thought 'maybe I've just won the Tour'. And that's when it starts getting hard then because you lose concentration. It was an incredible feeling. It really was."
You're not wrong Brad. It was. An incredible feeling.
Stage 18 saw the return of the prodigal. Mark Cavendish took the field apart in the final 600m dash winning clearly from Matt Goss (Orica Green EDGE) and green jersey holder, the ever combative, Peter Sagan of Liquigas. It was Cav's 22nd win and puts him equal 4th on the all time list of Tour Stage Winners along with Lance Armstrong.
Figure 2. Cav salutes another amazing win in stage 18 (Blagnac-Brive la Gaillarde). Photo from Team Sky
Having done their share in the lead out to the line Wiggo (yellow jersey) and Froomey (at 2m 05secs) both finished close up in the peleton retaining their positions overall leaving it all to play for in the next day's time trial.
And when that day arrived, what a day we had!
Brad was imperious. From the get go Wiggins set the standard and in the shake down he was the only one who could stand the pace he himself had set. Throughout the day Luis Leon Sanchez (Team Rabobank) sweated as big hitter after big hitter failed to crack his time of just over one hour and 6 minutes. Finally Tejay Van Garderen (Team BMC) took away Luis Leon's fastest time at the first check after 14km, then came Froome faster still and finally the Wiggins whirlwind blowing everything apart. Van Garderen then faded so that by the second check he was some 25 secs behind Sanchez. The wind it seemed had changed direction and was now working against rather than for the riders in this part of the course. I began to fret a bit, especially after Froome came in with his initial advantage over Sanchez whittled down to a mere 4 seconds at the second check. But I needn't have worried. Wiggins breezed through the check point almost a minute up on his compatriot and it was all but game over.
By the finish Froome had rallied and fair slaughtered Sanchez's long standing best time coming in 34 seconds up. Unbelievable! But what did Wiggins have left in the tank after an incredibly gruelling Tour?
The bike camera following Wiggo gave us the answer as it flashed onto the bike's speedo to show 60kmh! Wiggo wasn't just beating the rest; he was hammering them out of sight! Young Brad sped across the line a full one minute 16 secs ahead of Froome, covering the 53.5km in an astounding 1 hr 04m 13secs at an average speed of just under 50kmh (Fig. 3). Simply the best!
Wiggins tried in vain to explain where this spectacular ride came from. "53km is a long way but it’s what I do best. I came out in March and looked at this course with Sean [Yates, Team Sky Sports Director]. I felt fantastic out there. The first pedal stroke in the warm-up I normally know whether I’m on it or not. I knew today the minute I rolled off that ramp that I was on a good one." 'A good one' is a slight understatement I think, but I applaud Wiggo's modesty!
Figure 3. Wiggo punches the air in delight. An amazing and historic Tour victory just 24 hours away.
"I wouldn't say it was a lap of honour, because it hurt, but I just wanted to finish the job off in style. There was a lot of emotion in the last 10k. Everything was going through my mind. All the years of getting to this point, my family, disappointments, crashing out the Tour last year, watching Cadel in this very position a year ago in Grenoble. I always imagined what that would feel like and now I know"
And it must feel amazing. At home I was sobbing quietly hoping the Missus wouldn't come in and change the channel! Wiggo continued.....
"I was thinking about my wife and children, my grandfather, my nan, my mother. That was just spurring me on with every pedal stroke. It sounds cheesy but you work your whole life to get to this point – it’s a defining moment in your life. From the minute I got into cycling as a kid it’s all summed up for today."
And a defining moment in my life too and I thank you Bradley Wiggins for giving it to me. You were my hero before....now, to call you a superhero seems inappropriate, but that is surely what you have become!
Congratulations on making history!
P XX
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Blue skies.....nothing but blue skies.......
Hey!
Today we woke up to crystal clear blue skies and not a cloud in sight. Tankers are clearly visible as they skirt the horizon on their way into or out of Valencia harbour over 50kms away. The mountain tops all round bake in the rising heat, the only sound the gentle hum of cicadas rising to a pitch and falling away again like so much traffic passing me by. It's a beautiful day here in Valenciana and as I sit and punch the keys in front of the window it feels like a place apart. It's so quiet up here away from the hustle and bustle that it can be hard sometimes to find a connection with the rest of the planet. It's as if what happens elsewhere is unrelated in every possible way. My world begins and ends with the vista at my fingertips. Life is just a animated image that slips by outside my window, the cicada engines marking the passing of time as they rev and stall, rev and stall.
But I do not live in a glass cage. Later in the day, when the glare of the early morning sun has faded, life comes back to bite you as the fire ravaged peaks can then be seen for what they are; ghostly reminders of the consequences of how we live. It hasn't rained here for almost 17 months now. Most predictors of global warming show the largest part of Spain turning to desert within the next 50 years as rainfall patterns get turned on their heads and global temperatures rise. Fires, like the one we have just recently experienced here, are surely set to become a regular part of life in rural Spain.
The local Valenciano government have announced the first part of a 'rescue' package to help the people in the affected areas around Andilla. In September 9m Euros will be made available to help those who lost their livelihoods in the disaster. This money is also to help with the replanting of the forests, to provide some work for locals and to aid the regeneration of the scorched mountains and valleys. It is a positive first step and the action has been taken remarkably quickly for a people entrenched in the manana culture.
When thunder clouds finally do unleash their pent up fury upon this land those areas that have already been destroyed will suffer further denudification because there is now nothing left in the soil to prevent further degradation of the land. The ash and any richness left in the topsoil will simply be washed away.
When it does rain here, it does so in force. Forget cats and dogs, we're talking giraffes and elephants! And the land is packed so hard and dry that the first heavy rainfall will just bounce off the surface taking that life-giving topsoil with it as it rushes down the mountain sides and ridgetops, leaving the land behind more sterile and inhospitable than ever, and the lowlands probably flooded (mark my words). Gaining a foothold here afterwards would be an exercise in survivability for any organism, be it plant or animal. Darwin's survival of the fittest put to the toughest of tests.
However, these sort of problems are not limited to Spain. Environmental catastrophes are almost a daily occurrence. Most just pass us by with nothing more than after thought. An oil spill here, a flood there, a forest fire elsewhere - the list is endless and growing longer each day. It's not until you're faced with such a catastrophe that you really sit and take notice.
But conservationists and climatologists have been telling us for decades that the earth will pay the price for our many environmental extravagances. But it is money that makes the world goes round and conservation. It is economics that dictates which extravagances are worthwhile and which are not. And conservation has to pay its' way just like anything else. For most the chance to make a buck or two outweighs any environmental considerations. What's more that statement rings true at every economic level; the individual, the company, the government. The dangers and the perils of stripping our planet bare are well known and yet it goes on all the same because of the need to satisfy our economic desires and materialistic ambitions. I'm not immune to this and I've no doubt, nor are you.
I applaud the readiness of the Valenciano government but I can't help asking if it's not a little too late. Are we not just pissing in the wind? Once again throwing money at a problem in the hope it will go away?
The problems are many and the solutions few. The vanity of man leads us to believe that we know more or know better than nature itself, forgetting of course, that we are just another ongoing evolutionary accident of nature rather than its' pinnacle. Thus we continue to interfere, to poke and to probe, to give nature a little nudge in the right direction........
9m Euros is a start but I wonder if anything will change with this money or will things just be put back how they were before? My neighbour tells me that when he was a kid growing up here the mountains were completely forested, big pines dominant as they should be all along the Mediterranean coastlines. Now the forests have been largely felled to fill our living rooms with fashionable furniture, to warm our feet on cold winter nights and to make way for plantations of quicker growing pines that can be harvested more often and can increase profits. Our ambition, it seems, knows no end. Our myopia, simply incurable.
Deforestation causes environmental problems wherever it occurs, however it occurs. I myself have seen the consequences on many occasions, in many places. In Madagascar - no doubt one of the most beautiful places on earth at one point - the effects have been particularly badly felt (Figs 2 & 3). One of the poorest countries in the world (see CIA World Factbook), Madagascars problems are almost inevitably compounded by a less stable political arena and blood-sucking logging companies who would strip what remains of the forests given half a chance. With little natural resources left the immediate future is not looking good for Madagascar. A coup in 2009 caused tourism to drop by 50% and if what little remains of the forests is lost then that figure would drop to zero. But how do you tell a guy not to chop that tree down because it's bad for the environment when his family are starving and they have no gas to cook with?
I put it to you that it would be extremely difficult.........
But these problems are by no means limited to the poorer nations. In Japan and China problems arising from the removal of natural forest, particularly the slow-growing hardwoods typical of rain-forests around the globe, and the subsequent re-planting oif these areas with trees that are more 'profitable' has led to huge problems with landslides.
I was lucky enough to complete part of my post-graduate studies on the beautiful Japanese island of Yakushima in the Pacific. Covered in dense, warm-temperate rainforest Yakushima must be one of the most stunning places on the planet to visit (see Figs 6-8).
My studies were centred around the regeneration of the forests following heavy logging during the first half of the 20th Century. Many of these areas were replanted with much quicker growing pines and then these were in turn hacked down when of profitable age. The soils of rainforests are typically very poor and often very shallow, with the vast majority of the nutrients locked away in the plants, trees and animals that live there. Yakushima is no different. Once the natural forests were chopped down, the soil will support new growth (of re-planted trees) for only a few years before the soil becomes completely denuded. But unlike Madagascar, Yakushima is one of the wettest places on the planet (officially figures list between 4,000 and 10,000mm of rain per annum) and is precipitous in the extreme all over the island. When it rains (which it does 35 days a month according to locals) the plantations were simply unable to hold the surface together. The roots of the trees just did not hold the soils together in the same way as the plants that had evolved to live there (Yakushima has many plants and animals that are endemic to the island) - and the result? Huge landslides all over the island. Whole mountain sides literally slipping their moorings and taking a wander down the hill, courtesy of gravity and a whole load of water.
I saw it myself. One day a huge tropical storm passed close by with Yakushima still far from the eye of the storm. The following day I tried to go to work in the forest only to find as I drove along the one road on the island that the one road wasn't there any more! I turned a bend and where the day before there had been a mountain, there was now only a huge, ugly scar. Upon closer inspection I could see the road and the mountain had just slipped about 75m down the side and into the sea. There was the section of road below me...still intact!
The Japanese however, were quick to learn from their mistakes though. Logging was banned, the whole island protected and subsequently became Japan's first World Heritage Site. The plantations are now being left to die out on their own, leaving the rainforest to re-invade as the opportunity arises.
And by circuitous routes back to Spain....... where I do applaud the swift action of the local government, but only provided they take on board the lessons of the recent past. Re-plant? Sure! But use plants and trees that would form part of the climax vegetation* of the area. Re-plant it how it should be, not how you would like it to be! And for Heaven's sake please, please leave decent fire breaks, not tiny avenues wide enough for a lone cyclist that are covered in debris, dead branches and years of dried up pine needles! Spain has land a-plenty but dwindling areas of primary forest. Instead of plantations in the mountains why not encourage natural regeneration and restrict plantations to areas which have already been used for agriculture and are now deserted, of which there are many, everywhere you look.
Thanks for listening to my blab!
P XXX
* Climax vegetation is that which, given enough time, the land would naturally return to.
Today we woke up to crystal clear blue skies and not a cloud in sight. Tankers are clearly visible as they skirt the horizon on their way into or out of Valencia harbour over 50kms away. The mountain tops all round bake in the rising heat, the only sound the gentle hum of cicadas rising to a pitch and falling away again like so much traffic passing me by. It's a beautiful day here in Valenciana and as I sit and punch the keys in front of the window it feels like a place apart. It's so quiet up here away from the hustle and bustle that it can be hard sometimes to find a connection with the rest of the planet. It's as if what happens elsewhere is unrelated in every possible way. My world begins and ends with the vista at my fingertips. Life is just a animated image that slips by outside my window, the cicada engines marking the passing of time as they rev and stall, rev and stall.
Figure 1. The sun comes up as another beautiful day looms.
But I do not live in a glass cage. Later in the day, when the glare of the early morning sun has faded, life comes back to bite you as the fire ravaged peaks can then be seen for what they are; ghostly reminders of the consequences of how we live. It hasn't rained here for almost 17 months now. Most predictors of global warming show the largest part of Spain turning to desert within the next 50 years as rainfall patterns get turned on their heads and global temperatures rise. Fires, like the one we have just recently experienced here, are surely set to become a regular part of life in rural Spain.
The local Valenciano government have announced the first part of a 'rescue' package to help the people in the affected areas around Andilla. In September 9m Euros will be made available to help those who lost their livelihoods in the disaster. This money is also to help with the replanting of the forests, to provide some work for locals and to aid the regeneration of the scorched mountains and valleys. It is a positive first step and the action has been taken remarkably quickly for a people entrenched in the manana culture.
When thunder clouds finally do unleash their pent up fury upon this land those areas that have already been destroyed will suffer further denudification because there is now nothing left in the soil to prevent further degradation of the land. The ash and any richness left in the topsoil will simply be washed away.
When it does rain here, it does so in force. Forget cats and dogs, we're talking giraffes and elephants! And the land is packed so hard and dry that the first heavy rainfall will just bounce off the surface taking that life-giving topsoil with it as it rushes down the mountain sides and ridgetops, leaving the land behind more sterile and inhospitable than ever, and the lowlands probably flooded (mark my words). Gaining a foothold here afterwards would be an exercise in survivability for any organism, be it plant or animal. Darwin's survival of the fittest put to the toughest of tests.
However, these sort of problems are not limited to Spain. Environmental catastrophes are almost a daily occurrence. Most just pass us by with nothing more than after thought. An oil spill here, a flood there, a forest fire elsewhere - the list is endless and growing longer each day. It's not until you're faced with such a catastrophe that you really sit and take notice.
But conservationists and climatologists have been telling us for decades that the earth will pay the price for our many environmental extravagances. But it is money that makes the world goes round and conservation. It is economics that dictates which extravagances are worthwhile and which are not. And conservation has to pay its' way just like anything else. For most the chance to make a buck or two outweighs any environmental considerations. What's more that statement rings true at every economic level; the individual, the company, the government. The dangers and the perils of stripping our planet bare are well known and yet it goes on all the same because of the need to satisfy our economic desires and materialistic ambitions. I'm not immune to this and I've no doubt, nor are you.
I applaud the readiness of the Valenciano government but I can't help asking if it's not a little too late. Are we not just pissing in the wind? Once again throwing money at a problem in the hope it will go away?
The problems are many and the solutions few. The vanity of man leads us to believe that we know more or know better than nature itself, forgetting of course, that we are just another ongoing evolutionary accident of nature rather than its' pinnacle. Thus we continue to interfere, to poke and to probe, to give nature a little nudge in the right direction........
9m Euros is a start but I wonder if anything will change with this money or will things just be put back how they were before? My neighbour tells me that when he was a kid growing up here the mountains were completely forested, big pines dominant as they should be all along the Mediterranean coastlines. Now the forests have been largely felled to fill our living rooms with fashionable furniture, to warm our feet on cold winter nights and to make way for plantations of quicker growing pines that can be harvested more often and can increase profits. Our ambition, it seems, knows no end. Our myopia, simply incurable.
Deforestation causes environmental problems wherever it occurs, however it occurs. I myself have seen the consequences on many occasions, in many places. In Madagascar - no doubt one of the most beautiful places on earth at one point - the effects have been particularly badly felt (Figs 2 & 3). One of the poorest countries in the world (see CIA World Factbook), Madagascars problems are almost inevitably compounded by a less stable political arena and blood-sucking logging companies who would strip what remains of the forests given half a chance. With little natural resources left the immediate future is not looking good for Madagascar. A coup in 2009 caused tourism to drop by 50% and if what little remains of the forests is lost then that figure would drop to zero. But how do you tell a guy not to chop that tree down because it's bad for the environment when his family are starving and they have no gas to cook with?
I put it to you that it would be extremely difficult.........
Figure 2. I travelled from the capital Antananarivo north to Mahajanga and then again to Diego and finally Nosy Be. More or less the whole island was at one point forested. Now, following soil erosion caused by the hacking down of the precious trees, hour after hour passes in a car in abject monotony. Nothing can grow in these areas. The soil has been completely stripped of any nutrients, to the extent that a tree becomes a highlight on what, not so long ago, would have been a journey through paradise.
Figure 3. As far as one can see...nothing but bald, sterile mountain ranges.
Figure 4. In the middle of the Indian Ocean and with a largely tropical climate Madagascar was once a lush, green paradise.
Figure 5. Around Nosy Be it was almost too beautiful for words.
But these problems are by no means limited to the poorer nations. In Japan and China problems arising from the removal of natural forest, particularly the slow-growing hardwoods typical of rain-forests around the globe, and the subsequent re-planting oif these areas with trees that are more 'profitable' has led to huge problems with landslides.
I was lucky enough to complete part of my post-graduate studies on the beautiful Japanese island of Yakushima in the Pacific. Covered in dense, warm-temperate rainforest Yakushima must be one of the most stunning places on the planet to visit (see Figs 6-8).
Figure 6. Dense warm-temperate rainforest blankets Yakushima.
Figure 7. A century ago the island was covered in huge, ancient Yaku-sugi's (Cryptomeria japonica) some of which may have been several thousand years old.
Figure 8. Above the treeline areas of ancient cloud forest and open alpine pastures provide a stark, yet beautiful contrast to the dense forest.
My studies were centred around the regeneration of the forests following heavy logging during the first half of the 20th Century. Many of these areas were replanted with much quicker growing pines and then these were in turn hacked down when of profitable age. The soils of rainforests are typically very poor and often very shallow, with the vast majority of the nutrients locked away in the plants, trees and animals that live there. Yakushima is no different. Once the natural forests were chopped down, the soil will support new growth (of re-planted trees) for only a few years before the soil becomes completely denuded. But unlike Madagascar, Yakushima is one of the wettest places on the planet (officially figures list between 4,000 and 10,000mm of rain per annum) and is precipitous in the extreme all over the island. When it rains (which it does 35 days a month according to locals) the plantations were simply unable to hold the surface together. The roots of the trees just did not hold the soils together in the same way as the plants that had evolved to live there (Yakushima has many plants and animals that are endemic to the island) - and the result? Huge landslides all over the island. Whole mountain sides literally slipping their moorings and taking a wander down the hill, courtesy of gravity and a whole load of water.
I saw it myself. One day a huge tropical storm passed close by with Yakushima still far from the eye of the storm. The following day I tried to go to work in the forest only to find as I drove along the one road on the island that the one road wasn't there any more! I turned a bend and where the day before there had been a mountain, there was now only a huge, ugly scar. Upon closer inspection I could see the road and the mountain had just slipped about 75m down the side and into the sea. There was the section of road below me...still intact!
The Japanese however, were quick to learn from their mistakes though. Logging was banned, the whole island protected and subsequently became Japan's first World Heritage Site. The plantations are now being left to die out on their own, leaving the rainforest to re-invade as the opportunity arises.
And by circuitous routes back to Spain....... where I do applaud the swift action of the local government, but only provided they take on board the lessons of the recent past. Re-plant? Sure! But use plants and trees that would form part of the climax vegetation* of the area. Re-plant it how it should be, not how you would like it to be! And for Heaven's sake please, please leave decent fire breaks, not tiny avenues wide enough for a lone cyclist that are covered in debris, dead branches and years of dried up pine needles! Spain has land a-plenty but dwindling areas of primary forest. Instead of plantations in the mountains why not encourage natural regeneration and restrict plantations to areas which have already been used for agriculture and are now deserted, of which there are many, everywhere you look.
Thanks for listening to my blab!
P XXX
* Climax vegetation is that which, given enough time, the land would naturally return to.
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Bull Running in Villar
Hey!
Just a small follow up video on the local bull running! Nothing spectacular...no deaths, no mayhem, no ambulances.....just, what might be considered typical for a small, rural Valencian community. See what you think....
Just a small follow up video on the local bull running! Nothing spectacular...no deaths, no mayhem, no ambulances.....just, what might be considered typical for a small, rural Valencian community. See what you think....
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Bull Running in the Streets......Culture or Cruelty?
Hiya!
The closest village to where I live is Villar del Arzobispo, a tiny pueblo a few kilometers away. This weekend Villar held its annual running of the bulls fiesta and I went down to take a look. On Saturday evening it all started very late, which is quite normal for Spain, but not for me!! By 1am I was flagging and the party had just begun! And I'd forgotten the camera anyway, which was a shame because the night running is slightly more spectacular due to the fact that they tie fire brands to the bulls horns to enrage it and spice up the show for the spectators! Don't get me wrong, it's cruel, it's almost medieval and it's 100% Spanish, but it is still spectacular, exciting and fun!
This is the time of the year for the bull runnings all over the country. Last week it was in Casinos (the other pueblo close to me) and this week it was Villar. Whilst I missed it in Casinos, I was determined to see what it was all about in Villar, so this morning, armed with cameras I ventured into Villar again for a further peek.
The crowds were already gathering and I wandered in (it's all free) and found myself a suitable spot to wait. The bulls are kept in shipping containers before they are released one at time for the entertainment of the waiting crowd. You can hear the bulls frustration before the doors are opened as the containers jump and groan as the bulls inside take their tempers out on their steel cage.
When first released some charge around madly whilst others take a moment or two to get their bearings before rising to the promptings of the numerous 'wanabe' Toreadores who wave t-shirts, flags and friends in front of the enraged animals. At night time, to improve the spectacle, they tie rags soaked in oil to the horns and then set them alight and then proceed to torment the unfortunate animal (see Figs 1-4)!
Figure 1. These shots were taken in Casinos 2 years ago. This first one is the fixing of the apparatus that is then set alight. Pulling the tail seems to be the standard method of control!
Figure 2. The crowd bait the animal.
Figure 3. Those daring (or stupid?) enough to confront the bull have various heavy contraptions behind they can shelter.
Figure 4. Here you can see the apparatus that is aflame. In Villar last night it appeared to be just cloth tied to the horns and nothing quite as elaborate as this.
Of course bull running and bullfighting are quintessentially Spanish and conjure up Hemingway-esque romantic notions of masculinity, Latin culture and ancient battles of man against beast. But is it right in the 21st Century? Is it all not a bit medieval, cruel and out-dated? The Spanish argue, of course, that it is an essential part of their culture and heritage, like Yorkshire pud and cricket are for the Brits, or perhaps like owning a gun is for Texans. But does that make it right?
In Gandia last week bullfighting was exhumed after 25 years and was accompanied by demonstrations against the reestablishment of this Spanish main course. Animal rights activists were up in arms and in principal I agree. But the Spanish are nothing but controversial, and demonstrations organised by, what were primarily English-speaking organisations, will be unlikely to lead to any change in attitude or policy. As well as being anti-change, highly stubborn and pragmatic in the extreme, the Spanish are very practical and are just as likely to say, 'if you don't like it, then don't live here,' as they are to listen!
Attitudes are changing here but the Latin temperament resists change with a stubbornness that borders on futility sometimes. What the rest of the world thinks is an irrelevance. It will change when the Spanish deem it can be so and not before!
I'm not sure how I feel about it all. It is undoubtedly cruel, but in most places they no longer kill the animals afterwards - which I guess is something of a step forward - and in others it has been banned altogether. But you speak to those involved and they will tell of the industry behind the tradition. The people that it keeps in work breeding, looking after and feeding the animals which, they argue, have a far better life than most cattle, getting the best grain, the best grass and the best veterinary care - and this we call animal cruelty? They don't think so!
Figure 5. The bull is released to run in the streets......
Figure 6. ......as young guys move in to show their bravery and tempt the bull to charge.....
Figure 7. .....which invariably it does.......
Figure 8. .....with such force that the heavy wooden protectors can be lifted right off the ground!
In the short time I have been living in Spain I have learned that public opinion only matters to the Spanish if it is Spanish public opinion. They don't care a jot for the opinions of those outside their borders and why should they? But for me, this 'head in the sand' approach is fundamental to many of the problems that the Spanish and Spain are feeling at the moment. Spain is supposed to be part of the EU, but is in my experience, more a part of Africa than it ever will be a part of Europe.
I have talked on this blog before about the problems of the black economy here which are, in my humble opinion, a large part of the financial difficulties that have this country on the economic rack right now. Here, as with the bullfighting, this is a quintessentially Spanish problem (as it is also in Greece) that the Spanish themselves show no inclination whatsoever to wish to change. It's just the way it is and what the EU and the rest of the world think just doesn't matter, despite the lip-service Rajoy might pay this on the TV and in Brussels. It's not going to change till the Spanish wish it to be changed. And right now they see no reason why things should change - especially when the Germans keep coughing up the billions to fund the atrociously inefficient Spanish banks and (highly corruptible?) governments - when many Spanish still have a lifestyle that most of the world would be jealous of, whether that lifestyle be a tax-paying legal one or black economy, benefit-receiving one! The upshot is the same. No change!
Only things are changing. The young (by which I mean the under-30's) are suffering like no Spanish have suffered in living memory. They are leaving University with good degrees and absolutely no hope whatsoever of gaining a (legal) job, probably ever! So they are leaving in droves for the more financially secure shores of Germany, Switzerland, England, the USA and elsewhere. If the Spanish economy is bad now, it will be much worse in 10 years time because there will be no new businesses, no innovation, no new industries and (I'm sure) still no jobs! And what's more, what jobs there will be will be left vacant because there will no young people to fill them. This is not just a brain drain it is a full blown generation drain and one from which, I fear, Spain will never recover.
As much as it hurts, the Spanish have got to sit up and take notice of what the world thinks. Isolated as they are on the Iberian peninsula with only the Portuguese for company (who are experiencing remarkably similar problems) they are a part of the EU and the rest of the world. Opinions do matter. And things must change. The cotton wool in the ears approach has outlived its' usefulness and if Spain doesn't make substantial change, and quickly, then things will only get worse. Far worse!
Trying to get things done here, be it official papers or just seeing someone at your bank, is a lesson in futility. Business-wise Spain is in the 19th Century and technology-wise in the 20th. It defies belief that the Spanish people cannot see things as they are and cry out for things to change. But they don't. They just keep their heads firmly buried in the sand and hope that the storm passes by overhead without too much damage being caused.
How blind can one be?
As for me, I love Spain. I love the food, I love the people, I love the country, but I deplore the system. If I could wish for anything for Spain it would be that they sit up and listen, kick out the current system that does not work in any way. Make it much easier to start new businesses - offer incentives rather than taxing the life out of any new enterprise - and put an end to the black market once and for all. It just doesn't work! Start to embrace Spain's foreign contingent, rather than punishing them for not being born in the peninsula. We are here to stay and we want to work, you just have give us the opportunity. We've already invested heavily in the country (in property mostly) and would welcome the chance to work, pay taxes and contribute further, if only the system would give us the chance. These things would be a good starting point and from there going forward might be a whole lot easier.
I'm not quite sure how I went from bull running to inciting rebellion, but somehow I did and, after a quick re-read, I'm glad that I did. If you have any thoughts on this matter please leave your comments below...I am interested in public opinion and want to know what YOU think!
Back soon
P XX
The closest village to where I live is Villar del Arzobispo, a tiny pueblo a few kilometers away. This weekend Villar held its annual running of the bulls fiesta and I went down to take a look. On Saturday evening it all started very late, which is quite normal for Spain, but not for me!! By 1am I was flagging and the party had just begun! And I'd forgotten the camera anyway, which was a shame because the night running is slightly more spectacular due to the fact that they tie fire brands to the bulls horns to enrage it and spice up the show for the spectators! Don't get me wrong, it's cruel, it's almost medieval and it's 100% Spanish, but it is still spectacular, exciting and fun!
This is the time of the year for the bull runnings all over the country. Last week it was in Casinos (the other pueblo close to me) and this week it was Villar. Whilst I missed it in Casinos, I was determined to see what it was all about in Villar, so this morning, armed with cameras I ventured into Villar again for a further peek.
The crowds were already gathering and I wandered in (it's all free) and found myself a suitable spot to wait. The bulls are kept in shipping containers before they are released one at time for the entertainment of the waiting crowd. You can hear the bulls frustration before the doors are opened as the containers jump and groan as the bulls inside take their tempers out on their steel cage.
When first released some charge around madly whilst others take a moment or two to get their bearings before rising to the promptings of the numerous 'wanabe' Toreadores who wave t-shirts, flags and friends in front of the enraged animals. At night time, to improve the spectacle, they tie rags soaked in oil to the horns and then set them alight and then proceed to torment the unfortunate animal (see Figs 1-4)!
Figure 1. These shots were taken in Casinos 2 years ago. This first one is the fixing of the apparatus that is then set alight. Pulling the tail seems to be the standard method of control!
Figure 2. The crowd bait the animal.
Figure 3. Those daring (or stupid?) enough to confront the bull have various heavy contraptions behind they can shelter.
Figure 4. Here you can see the apparatus that is aflame. In Villar last night it appeared to be just cloth tied to the horns and nothing quite as elaborate as this.
Of course bull running and bullfighting are quintessentially Spanish and conjure up Hemingway-esque romantic notions of masculinity, Latin culture and ancient battles of man against beast. But is it right in the 21st Century? Is it all not a bit medieval, cruel and out-dated? The Spanish argue, of course, that it is an essential part of their culture and heritage, like Yorkshire pud and cricket are for the Brits, or perhaps like owning a gun is for Texans. But does that make it right?
In Gandia last week bullfighting was exhumed after 25 years and was accompanied by demonstrations against the reestablishment of this Spanish main course. Animal rights activists were up in arms and in principal I agree. But the Spanish are nothing but controversial, and demonstrations organised by, what were primarily English-speaking organisations, will be unlikely to lead to any change in attitude or policy. As well as being anti-change, highly stubborn and pragmatic in the extreme, the Spanish are very practical and are just as likely to say, 'if you don't like it, then don't live here,' as they are to listen!
Attitudes are changing here but the Latin temperament resists change with a stubbornness that borders on futility sometimes. What the rest of the world thinks is an irrelevance. It will change when the Spanish deem it can be so and not before!
I'm not sure how I feel about it all. It is undoubtedly cruel, but in most places they no longer kill the animals afterwards - which I guess is something of a step forward - and in others it has been banned altogether. But you speak to those involved and they will tell of the industry behind the tradition. The people that it keeps in work breeding, looking after and feeding the animals which, they argue, have a far better life than most cattle, getting the best grain, the best grass and the best veterinary care - and this we call animal cruelty? They don't think so!
Figure 5. The bull is released to run in the streets......
Figure 6. ......as young guys move in to show their bravery and tempt the bull to charge.....
Figure 7. .....which invariably it does.......
Figure 8. .....with such force that the heavy wooden protectors can be lifted right off the ground!
In the short time I have been living in Spain I have learned that public opinion only matters to the Spanish if it is Spanish public opinion. They don't care a jot for the opinions of those outside their borders and why should they? But for me, this 'head in the sand' approach is fundamental to many of the problems that the Spanish and Spain are feeling at the moment. Spain is supposed to be part of the EU, but is in my experience, more a part of Africa than it ever will be a part of Europe.
I have talked on this blog before about the problems of the black economy here which are, in my humble opinion, a large part of the financial difficulties that have this country on the economic rack right now. Here, as with the bullfighting, this is a quintessentially Spanish problem (as it is also in Greece) that the Spanish themselves show no inclination whatsoever to wish to change. It's just the way it is and what the EU and the rest of the world think just doesn't matter, despite the lip-service Rajoy might pay this on the TV and in Brussels. It's not going to change till the Spanish wish it to be changed. And right now they see no reason why things should change - especially when the Germans keep coughing up the billions to fund the atrociously inefficient Spanish banks and (highly corruptible?) governments - when many Spanish still have a lifestyle that most of the world would be jealous of, whether that lifestyle be a tax-paying legal one or black economy, benefit-receiving one! The upshot is the same. No change!
Only things are changing. The young (by which I mean the under-30's) are suffering like no Spanish have suffered in living memory. They are leaving University with good degrees and absolutely no hope whatsoever of gaining a (legal) job, probably ever! So they are leaving in droves for the more financially secure shores of Germany, Switzerland, England, the USA and elsewhere. If the Spanish economy is bad now, it will be much worse in 10 years time because there will be no new businesses, no innovation, no new industries and (I'm sure) still no jobs! And what's more, what jobs there will be will be left vacant because there will no young people to fill them. This is not just a brain drain it is a full blown generation drain and one from which, I fear, Spain will never recover.
As much as it hurts, the Spanish have got to sit up and take notice of what the world thinks. Isolated as they are on the Iberian peninsula with only the Portuguese for company (who are experiencing remarkably similar problems) they are a part of the EU and the rest of the world. Opinions do matter. And things must change. The cotton wool in the ears approach has outlived its' usefulness and if Spain doesn't make substantial change, and quickly, then things will only get worse. Far worse!
Trying to get things done here, be it official papers or just seeing someone at your bank, is a lesson in futility. Business-wise Spain is in the 19th Century and technology-wise in the 20th. It defies belief that the Spanish people cannot see things as they are and cry out for things to change. But they don't. They just keep their heads firmly buried in the sand and hope that the storm passes by overhead without too much damage being caused.
How blind can one be?
As for me, I love Spain. I love the food, I love the people, I love the country, but I deplore the system. If I could wish for anything for Spain it would be that they sit up and listen, kick out the current system that does not work in any way. Make it much easier to start new businesses - offer incentives rather than taxing the life out of any new enterprise - and put an end to the black market once and for all. It just doesn't work! Start to embrace Spain's foreign contingent, rather than punishing them for not being born in the peninsula. We are here to stay and we want to work, you just have give us the opportunity. We've already invested heavily in the country (in property mostly) and would welcome the chance to work, pay taxes and contribute further, if only the system would give us the chance. These things would be a good starting point and from there going forward might be a whole lot easier.
I'm not quite sure how I went from bull running to inciting rebellion, but somehow I did and, after a quick re-read, I'm glad that I did. If you have any thoughts on this matter please leave your comments below...I am interested in public opinion and want to know what YOU think!
Back soon
P XX
Saturday, 14 July 2012
Andilla: The Aftermath
Hiya!
Here's a couple of short videos for you.....I should explain perhaps.....I shot these 2 days ago when I rode up close to Andilla and the area where the fires were at their worst and where, apparently, they started. The videos were shot from my bike as I cycled back down the mountain hence they are a bit shaky and the wind noise is a bit loud so I suggest you mute the sound! I did try to do a voiceover but the mic on my little camera is plainly not up to the job and you can't really hear me apart from the odd word or two!! @What a blessing,' I hear you say!!!
Video 1. (above) I cycled up to the last roundabout before Andilla where the fire had ravaged almost everything. There were odd fields and low lying areas with little vegetation that had survived probably because there was nothing to burn, but as I pedal back down the mountain you'll see that it all resembles a war zone. There were no craters or dead bodies but it was as if the fires of hell had swept over the landscape. It was all very upsetting and will never be the same.
Video 2. It's quite tricky to cycle and film at the same time so my camera work is a bit shaky but even allowing for my less-than Oscar winning performance the images speak for themselves.
Here's a couple of short videos for you.....I should explain perhaps.....I shot these 2 days ago when I rode up close to Andilla and the area where the fires were at their worst and where, apparently, they started. The videos were shot from my bike as I cycled back down the mountain hence they are a bit shaky and the wind noise is a bit loud so I suggest you mute the sound! I did try to do a voiceover but the mic on my little camera is plainly not up to the job and you can't really hear me apart from the odd word or two!! @What a blessing,' I hear you say!!!
Video 1. (above) I cycled up to the last roundabout before Andilla where the fire had ravaged almost everything. There were odd fields and low lying areas with little vegetation that had survived probably because there was nothing to burn, but as I pedal back down the mountain you'll see that it all resembles a war zone. There were no craters or dead bodies but it was as if the fires of hell had swept over the landscape. It was all very upsetting and will never be the same.
Video 2. It's quite tricky to cycle and film at the same time so my camera work is a bit shaky but even allowing for my less-than Oscar winning performance the images speak for themselves.
Video 3. To see the forests destroyed like this is a tragedy. Nuff said!
Back soon with more
P XXX
Friday, 13 July 2012
Update: Forest fires
Hi again,
Just a quick update on what's happening near home. Yesterday I cycled up near Andilla (where you may reacll the fires started) to see the state of the mountains. Having already seen the mountains around Alcublas (see blog dated 9th July) I had a pretty good idea what I was expecting. That said, when you get there the shock is just as real. The devastation just as unremitting. Words fail me and even photos just don't show the scale of the disaster in anything like it appears to the naked eye.
Time is short now and tomorrow I shall upload a couple of short video clips, but for now here's what I saw.
Figure 1. Above: The area surrounding me is rich in agriculture, particularly viniculture, much of wwhich goes on at slightly higher altitudes than where we live. This is approaching the pueblo of Bodegas del Pardanchinos...a small collection of ancient stone houses which are, I believe, largely uninhabitated now. I guess I was at between 750 and 800m above sea level and this blackened mountain top provided a sharp contrast to the vines that continue to flourish lower down..
Figure 2. Bodegas del Pardanchinos. The house in the background in the middle of the shot must have had flames licking at its' threshold. But from here on in everything ws black. Not a single piece of greenery at all. Perhaps the strongest sensation was the smell which was almost overwhelming.
Figure 3. Shot standing at the point where the road dips down the hill in the photo above (Figure 2). The whole valley was charred. Such a shame! This was, still is I suppose, one of my favourite riding routes largely because of the beautiful forest where I regularly saw red squirrels, grouse and many birds of prey.
Figure 4. In some places near Alcublas the higher branches of trees had escaped the fire and so may well regenerate, but here the fire must have been beyond imagining, the flames having consumed even the tallest trees.
Figure 5. Protected pines black from root to tip.
Figure 6. From valley floor to ridgetop everything had been destroyed.
Figure 7. Amazingly this bridge and the road survived!
Figure 8. Looking in the direction of Andilla to where I shall venture over the next few days.
Back soon with more....
P XX
Just a quick update on what's happening near home. Yesterday I cycled up near Andilla (where you may reacll the fires started) to see the state of the mountains. Having already seen the mountains around Alcublas (see blog dated 9th July) I had a pretty good idea what I was expecting. That said, when you get there the shock is just as real. The devastation just as unremitting. Words fail me and even photos just don't show the scale of the disaster in anything like it appears to the naked eye.
Time is short now and tomorrow I shall upload a couple of short video clips, but for now here's what I saw.
Figure 1. Above: The area surrounding me is rich in agriculture, particularly viniculture, much of wwhich goes on at slightly higher altitudes than where we live. This is approaching the pueblo of Bodegas del Pardanchinos...a small collection of ancient stone houses which are, I believe, largely uninhabitated now. I guess I was at between 750 and 800m above sea level and this blackened mountain top provided a sharp contrast to the vines that continue to flourish lower down..
Figure 2. Bodegas del Pardanchinos. The house in the background in the middle of the shot must have had flames licking at its' threshold. But from here on in everything ws black. Not a single piece of greenery at all. Perhaps the strongest sensation was the smell which was almost overwhelming.
Figure 3. Shot standing at the point where the road dips down the hill in the photo above (Figure 2). The whole valley was charred. Such a shame! This was, still is I suppose, one of my favourite riding routes largely because of the beautiful forest where I regularly saw red squirrels, grouse and many birds of prey.
Figure 4. In some places near Alcublas the higher branches of trees had escaped the fire and so may well regenerate, but here the fire must have been beyond imagining, the flames having consumed even the tallest trees.
Figure 5. Protected pines black from root to tip.
Figure 6. From valley floor to ridgetop everything had been destroyed.
Figure 7. Amazingly this bridge and the road survived!
Figure 8. Looking in the direction of Andilla to where I shall venture over the next few days.
Back soon with more....
P XX
Our Man in Yellow.
Hey!
Young Brad has distinguished himself again. In yesterday's unbelievably beautiful stage of Le Tour from Albertville to La Toussuire in the Alps Wiggo once again did the biz, coming in 6th on what was perhaps the toughest day of this years Tour. Revelations came thick and fast as the riders began the long climb up the final ramp from St Jean de Maurienne up to the finish line at La Toussuire some 1705m above sea level. After having already survived the gigantic hors-categorie climbs of the Col de la Madeleine and the Col de la Croix de Fer, Wiggo always looked comfortable and in good shape so that as the peleton hit the foot of the final climb I felt confident that his yellow jersey would remain intact. With team-mates Porte, Rogers, Froome, Boassen-Hagan and Knees around him Team Sky's position was incredibly strong. Little did we know that by the end of the climb that position would not only be enhanced, it may well prove to unassailable.
Frenchman Pierre Rolland (Team Europcar) eventually went on to win the stage with a fantastic performance that delighted the home crowds. But Rolland is not a challenger for the overall title and whilst he was gaining the plaudits of his countrymen the real drama was still on the mountain. The big surprise of the day, for me at least, was that Cadel Evans and last years Tour winner, cracked about half-way up the final climb leaving Wiggo with Froome (3rd place overnight) and Nibali (4th place) for company among one or two others. As Evans fell further and further behind, eventually losing almost a minute and a half (a huge chunk of time at this level), Wiggo spurred on perhaps, barring mishaps, putting in a performance that may well prove to be the decisive examination of this years Tour.
As the kilometers slid painfully by for Evans, Chris Froome led Wiggo and Vincenzo Nibali up the endless 18kms of this long, long climb until about 4k from the finish when he burst out of what remained of the peleton to illicit a bone-crushing attack that immediately had the rest in trouble, Wiggo included. As Froome moved away from the elite group, perhaps looking for the stage victory - I think had he been allowed to go he may well have caught Rolland, but now we will never know - he was suddenly seen clutching his hand to the side of his head. "Wiggo's in trouble!" or something like that must have come over the team radio. "Go back and support your leader!"
'In trouble,' might be a bit strong, but Wiggo had definitely been unable to match the amazing acceleration exhibited by Froome, but ever the professional Froome reined in and slid inexorably back into the elite peleton and pulled Wiggo up and over the final ramp of the climb before losing out in sprint finish for second place on the day to Tibot Pinot of Francais de Jeux. Wiggo came over the line a second or two behind Froomey and history had been made. He became the first Briton to wear yellow for 4 days in a row, an amazing achievement on a day that also saw Froome move up into 2nd position, just over 2 minutes behind Wiggo, with Nibali a further 20 seconds or so behind in 3rd.
Team Sky in first and second. Britain in first and second. What would the odds have been of this happening before the Tour started. You just have look down the 'predictions' of the pundits and experts to realise that this was not a scenario that too many of them had anticipated. Wiggo had been most people's favourite for the Tour given his winning performances in both the Paris-Nice Classic in March and the Criterium du Dauphine last month, but very few had tipped Froome to back Wiggo up quite as impressively as he has despite his second place overall in last years Vuelta de Espana.
For me Froome has been a revelation and must surely be a strong contender for the overall title next year. But he will still be at Team Sky then? For a team to have 2 leaders is unheard of and Froome must be entitled to have the support of a team of his own given his performances. This is not a scenario I would relish however. Team Sky is predominantly a British based team, with British team management, British sponsorship and I would love to have Froomey stay put. But will he feel the same when he reflects on his performances after the Tour is over?
But for now, I'm just floating on a patriotic cloud. Wiggo has been a hero of mine for many a year. To be honest I never thought he had in him to become the climber he has undoubtedly become, but he has happily proved me wrong and has shown the dedication, the strength and the qualities of a true Champion whilst remaining true to himself and keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground, a fact brought home to me yesterday as he crossed the line together with Nibali, both their faces etched with the pain and agony of the stage, so that when Wiggo reached across to his Italian rival and embraced him I had the feeling of watching a man who had not only done what no other Briton has ever done, but has done it in a style of his own making, and done it with no sense of superiority about him, just a sense of his own ability and a firm, unshakable belief in himself and that this is his year.
Well done Wiggo.
P XXXXX
Young Brad has distinguished himself again. In yesterday's unbelievably beautiful stage of Le Tour from Albertville to La Toussuire in the Alps Wiggo once again did the biz, coming in 6th on what was perhaps the toughest day of this years Tour. Revelations came thick and fast as the riders began the long climb up the final ramp from St Jean de Maurienne up to the finish line at La Toussuire some 1705m above sea level. After having already survived the gigantic hors-categorie climbs of the Col de la Madeleine and the Col de la Croix de Fer, Wiggo always looked comfortable and in good shape so that as the peleton hit the foot of the final climb I felt confident that his yellow jersey would remain intact. With team-mates Porte, Rogers, Froome, Boassen-Hagan and Knees around him Team Sky's position was incredibly strong. Little did we know that by the end of the climb that position would not only be enhanced, it may well prove to unassailable.
Frenchman Pierre Rolland (Team Europcar) eventually went on to win the stage with a fantastic performance that delighted the home crowds. But Rolland is not a challenger for the overall title and whilst he was gaining the plaudits of his countrymen the real drama was still on the mountain. The big surprise of the day, for me at least, was that Cadel Evans and last years Tour winner, cracked about half-way up the final climb leaving Wiggo with Froome (3rd place overnight) and Nibali (4th place) for company among one or two others. As Evans fell further and further behind, eventually losing almost a minute and a half (a huge chunk of time at this level), Wiggo spurred on perhaps, barring mishaps, putting in a performance that may well prove to be the decisive examination of this years Tour.
As the kilometers slid painfully by for Evans, Chris Froome led Wiggo and Vincenzo Nibali up the endless 18kms of this long, long climb until about 4k from the finish when he burst out of what remained of the peleton to illicit a bone-crushing attack that immediately had the rest in trouble, Wiggo included. As Froome moved away from the elite group, perhaps looking for the stage victory - I think had he been allowed to go he may well have caught Rolland, but now we will never know - he was suddenly seen clutching his hand to the side of his head. "Wiggo's in trouble!" or something like that must have come over the team radio. "Go back and support your leader!"
'In trouble,' might be a bit strong, but Wiggo had definitely been unable to match the amazing acceleration exhibited by Froome, but ever the professional Froome reined in and slid inexorably back into the elite peleton and pulled Wiggo up and over the final ramp of the climb before losing out in sprint finish for second place on the day to Tibot Pinot of Francais de Jeux. Wiggo came over the line a second or two behind Froomey and history had been made. He became the first Briton to wear yellow for 4 days in a row, an amazing achievement on a day that also saw Froome move up into 2nd position, just over 2 minutes behind Wiggo, with Nibali a further 20 seconds or so behind in 3rd.
Team Sky in first and second. Britain in first and second. What would the odds have been of this happening before the Tour started. You just have look down the 'predictions' of the pundits and experts to realise that this was not a scenario that too many of them had anticipated. Wiggo had been most people's favourite for the Tour given his winning performances in both the Paris-Nice Classic in March and the Criterium du Dauphine last month, but very few had tipped Froome to back Wiggo up quite as impressively as he has despite his second place overall in last years Vuelta de Espana.
Froome leads Wiggo up the final climb to La Toussuire (photo from Sky Sports)
For me Froome has been a revelation and must surely be a strong contender for the overall title next year. But he will still be at Team Sky then? For a team to have 2 leaders is unheard of and Froome must be entitled to have the support of a team of his own given his performances. This is not a scenario I would relish however. Team Sky is predominantly a British based team, with British team management, British sponsorship and I would love to have Froomey stay put. But will he feel the same when he reflects on his performances after the Tour is over?
But for now, I'm just floating on a patriotic cloud. Wiggo has been a hero of mine for many a year. To be honest I never thought he had in him to become the climber he has undoubtedly become, but he has happily proved me wrong and has shown the dedication, the strength and the qualities of a true Champion whilst remaining true to himself and keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground, a fact brought home to me yesterday as he crossed the line together with Nibali, both their faces etched with the pain and agony of the stage, so that when Wiggo reached across to his Italian rival and embraced him I had the feeling of watching a man who had not only done what no other Briton has ever done, but has done it in a style of his own making, and done it with no sense of superiority about him, just a sense of his own ability and a firm, unshakable belief in himself and that this is his year.
Well done Wiggo.
P XXXXX
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Bradley Wiggins.....man of the moment!
Hiya!
I just have to comment on the amazing performance by one of my heroes yesterday.....Bradley Wiggins destroyed the field in the second of three time-trials at the Tour de France taking almost 2 minutes out of Cadel Evans, the man currently in second position overall (behind Wiggo) and last years winner. The only man capable, it seemed, of staying with Wiggo was his room-mate and colleague Chris Froome who moved up from his overnight position of sixth to all the way to third.
But for me, it wasn't just the scale of the victory, it was the manner in which he did it. The holder of the maillot jeune always sets off last in the time-trials. This does of course this have its' advantages - you know exactly what you have to do in order to maintain or even strengthen your position - but, on the flip side the wait must be almost unbearable. Especially for a man tipped to not only win the stage, but win the Tour overall. Wiggo, ever the professional, kept his cool and set off at a blistering pace and by the first time-check at around 15km he was a staggering 20 seconds up on Froome, who was in turn another 20 seconds or so up on Mr Time-Trial himself, Fabian Cancellara.
Anyone who knows cycling cannot help but to have been impressed by Wiggo's performance and (without trying to jinx him in any way) provided he recovers from the Tour well enough, it was a performance that marks him out as the man to beat in the time-trial come at the London Olympics next month.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. To win the Tour is enough right now for any man to deal with. The Olympics, at which Wiggo is currently the 4000m Individual Pursuit Champion, will be here soon enough, and no doubt, I shall be on the case when it does!
Back at the Tour Froome's performance was similarly outstanding and has put the management of Team Sky in a very interesting position - a unique position in my short-lived experience of the Tour - in that one team now has two men who each are capable of winning the Tour. Froome's job of course, is to protect and 'lead' Wiggo to overall victory, to shepherd him up the final part of the climbs once his other team-mates - such as the unquenchable Edvald van Boassen-Hagan, the immense Michael Rogers, and the pocket-rocket, Wiggo's 'shadow', the irrepressible Richie Porte - have done their work in the early part of the climbs and to take over as the last man shepherding Wiggo to overall victory. The problem arises, interestingly, if Froome out-climbs Wiggo and starts to close in on him as a challenger for yellow. Will he, should he, still work for Wiggo or should he be given free rein to ride his own race and go for yellow himself?
In interviews Froome comes across a very decent fellow and a thoroughly nice bloke, one who would, no doubt, do exactly what is expected and no more, if that was what was required of him, and not say a harsh or negative word about it afterwards. But is that right or fair?
Well, I think that is fair. And right. That is, after all, what he is paid to do. It's his job. Having said that though, I don't think the management of Team Sky will impose too much stricture on Froome and his incredible climbing abilities. I think we shall see him shepherding Wiggo as always and if, when they get to the finishes, he has anything left in his legs I believe they will free him to go for whatever he can get. Don't forget last year Froome out-paced Wiggo in the mountains of Spain in the Vuelta de Espana on more than one occasion, although in Wiggo's defence (is defending him what I'm doing?) I don't believe he was at his peak after his horrible crash in the prologue (the first stage) of last years Tour. That said, this year and so far in the Tour, Wiggo's climbing has been first class and he has never looked like being dropped or even in trouble on any of the mountain stages, whether it has been Froome, Evans or anyone else who has been beating the path. The big tests are, though, still to come. The Pyrenees and the Alps have yet to be tackled and the answer to these and many more questions will have been answered by the time the riders get to the final time-trial and penultimate stage of the tour in just under two weeks time.
As you probably know an Englishman has never won the Tour and the pressure now on Wiggo's shoulders must be immense, but if there were anyone's shoulders on which I would dare to heap such pressure, it would be those slender deltoids and trapezoids of Wiggins. He now has what is surely a winning margin and I, for one, will be watching each of the next stages in to Paris with much more than baited breath. This could be history in the making and I won't be missing a second of it.
C'MON WIGGO!! YES YOU CAN!
Back soon....
P XX
I just have to comment on the amazing performance by one of my heroes yesterday.....Bradley Wiggins destroyed the field in the second of three time-trials at the Tour de France taking almost 2 minutes out of Cadel Evans, the man currently in second position overall (behind Wiggo) and last years winner. The only man capable, it seemed, of staying with Wiggo was his room-mate and colleague Chris Froome who moved up from his overnight position of sixth to all the way to third.
Figure 1. Young Brad in yellow!
But for me, it wasn't just the scale of the victory, it was the manner in which he did it. The holder of the maillot jeune always sets off last in the time-trials. This does of course this have its' advantages - you know exactly what you have to do in order to maintain or even strengthen your position - but, on the flip side the wait must be almost unbearable. Especially for a man tipped to not only win the stage, but win the Tour overall. Wiggo, ever the professional, kept his cool and set off at a blistering pace and by the first time-check at around 15km he was a staggering 20 seconds up on Froome, who was in turn another 20 seconds or so up on Mr Time-Trial himself, Fabian Cancellara.
Anyone who knows cycling cannot help but to have been impressed by Wiggo's performance and (without trying to jinx him in any way) provided he recovers from the Tour well enough, it was a performance that marks him out as the man to beat in the time-trial come at the London Olympics next month.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. To win the Tour is enough right now for any man to deal with. The Olympics, at which Wiggo is currently the 4000m Individual Pursuit Champion, will be here soon enough, and no doubt, I shall be on the case when it does!
Back at the Tour Froome's performance was similarly outstanding and has put the management of Team Sky in a very interesting position - a unique position in my short-lived experience of the Tour - in that one team now has two men who each are capable of winning the Tour. Froome's job of course, is to protect and 'lead' Wiggo to overall victory, to shepherd him up the final part of the climbs once his other team-mates - such as the unquenchable Edvald van Boassen-Hagan, the immense Michael Rogers, and the pocket-rocket, Wiggo's 'shadow', the irrepressible Richie Porte - have done their work in the early part of the climbs and to take over as the last man shepherding Wiggo to overall victory. The problem arises, interestingly, if Froome out-climbs Wiggo and starts to close in on him as a challenger for yellow. Will he, should he, still work for Wiggo or should he be given free rein to ride his own race and go for yellow himself?
In interviews Froome comes across a very decent fellow and a thoroughly nice bloke, one who would, no doubt, do exactly what is expected and no more, if that was what was required of him, and not say a harsh or negative word about it afterwards. But is that right or fair?
Well, I think that is fair. And right. That is, after all, what he is paid to do. It's his job. Having said that though, I don't think the management of Team Sky will impose too much stricture on Froome and his incredible climbing abilities. I think we shall see him shepherding Wiggo as always and if, when they get to the finishes, he has anything left in his legs I believe they will free him to go for whatever he can get. Don't forget last year Froome out-paced Wiggo in the mountains of Spain in the Vuelta de Espana on more than one occasion, although in Wiggo's defence (is defending him what I'm doing?) I don't believe he was at his peak after his horrible crash in the prologue (the first stage) of last years Tour. That said, this year and so far in the Tour, Wiggo's climbing has been first class and he has never looked like being dropped or even in trouble on any of the mountain stages, whether it has been Froome, Evans or anyone else who has been beating the path. The big tests are, though, still to come. The Pyrenees and the Alps have yet to be tackled and the answer to these and many more questions will have been answered by the time the riders get to the final time-trial and penultimate stage of the tour in just under two weeks time.
As you probably know an Englishman has never won the Tour and the pressure now on Wiggo's shoulders must be immense, but if there were anyone's shoulders on which I would dare to heap such pressure, it would be those slender deltoids and trapezoids of Wiggins. He now has what is surely a winning margin and I, for one, will be watching each of the next stages in to Paris with much more than baited breath. This could be history in the making and I won't be missing a second of it.
C'MON WIGGO!! YES YOU CAN!
Back soon....
P XX
Monday, 9 July 2012
Scenes of Devastation - Valencia Forest Fires
Hiya!
It's Saturday lunchtime, the fires have finally died (I hope) and I'm looking forward to an afternoon watching the first mountain stage of the Le Tour de France. But in the meantime I shall show you the remaining photos, thus far, as well as a couple of short video clips, one with me almost getting dumped upon by one of the fire-fighting helicopters (see Video 1)!
On Wednesday I went out on my mountain bike up through the forest tracks behind our house (to the North). The roads were still largely closed and I figured this would be the best way for me to see what was happening on the ground. To get access to the forest I have to traverse the barranca (a dry river bed valley) and then up the other side. Within 10 minutes of entering the forest I had climbed to roughly 600m altitude and as the forest began to open up the blackened, charred mountain peaks began to rear their smoking heads. Then as I headed down towards the small, back-road that leads to Alcublas in one direction and Andilla in the other. Andilla is where the fires had started the previous Thursday evening, but everything was still closed off in that direction and there was still a lot of aerial fire-fighting going on over there. Instead I turned my bike towards Alcublas and almost immediately I came upon this small fire below
Figure 1. I found this fire just off the back-road between Alcublas and Andilla.
Figure 2. The flames were as high asa house, though it might not look it there, the flames were down in a dip and what you are seeing is just the tops of the flames. It was too hot for me to get any closer.
Figure 3. Behind me the Guardia Civil watched the fire from the safety of the road.
Figure 4. Two minutes after this photo was taken a helicopter dumped it's payload of water on the fire (Video 2) and the Guardia came down to move me on!
Figure 5. As I rode along the road to Alcublas both sides of the road were completely destroyed. Photos can never do it justice ....or should that be injustice? Everywhere was smouldering and the stench was, in places, almost overwhelming.
Figure 6. The ash on the ground and the bare trees gave the scene a very wintry feel almost as if it had snowed.
Figure 7. Smoke was still rising from almost evert angle.
Figures 8, 9 & 10. Everything seemed washed-out and pale. A week before this had all been protected pine forests. I never dreamed it could all change so quickly, so dramatically and so completely. It will never be as it was before.
Figure 11. The higher mountain tops around Alcublas were just massive crematoriums.
Figure 12. In places the fire had consumed the trees completely and they looked just like rows of burned matchsticks waiting to be flicked over.
Figure 13. Both sides of the road had been swallowed.
Figure 14. The only survivors were lower lying fields and open areas free of vegetation. The contrast between the two is stark and unforgiving.
Figures 15 & 16. Rows of matchsticks waiting for breeze to topple them all.
Figure 17. The northern side of Alcublas had been stripped bare. This was area rich in vineyards and natural pine forests. But now.....there is nothing left.
Figure 18. Looking further north towards Altura which has also been heavily affected by the fires. I'll go to see as soon as I can.
Figure 19. Taken from the road back down the mountain in the direction of Casinos.
And here's the video of me taking an 'early bath'!
Hope you liked that! Back soon.....
P XXXX
It's Saturday lunchtime, the fires have finally died (I hope) and I'm looking forward to an afternoon watching the first mountain stage of the Le Tour de France. But in the meantime I shall show you the remaining photos, thus far, as well as a couple of short video clips, one with me almost getting dumped upon by one of the fire-fighting helicopters (see Video 1)!
On Wednesday I went out on my mountain bike up through the forest tracks behind our house (to the North). The roads were still largely closed and I figured this would be the best way for me to see what was happening on the ground. To get access to the forest I have to traverse the barranca (a dry river bed valley) and then up the other side. Within 10 minutes of entering the forest I had climbed to roughly 600m altitude and as the forest began to open up the blackened, charred mountain peaks began to rear their smoking heads. Then as I headed down towards the small, back-road that leads to Alcublas in one direction and Andilla in the other. Andilla is where the fires had started the previous Thursday evening, but everything was still closed off in that direction and there was still a lot of aerial fire-fighting going on over there. Instead I turned my bike towards Alcublas and almost immediately I came upon this small fire below
Figure 1. I found this fire just off the back-road between Alcublas and Andilla.
Figure 2. The flames were as high asa house, though it might not look it there, the flames were down in a dip and what you are seeing is just the tops of the flames. It was too hot for me to get any closer.
Figure 3. Behind me the Guardia Civil watched the fire from the safety of the road.
Figure 4. Two minutes after this photo was taken a helicopter dumped it's payload of water on the fire (Video 2) and the Guardia came down to move me on!
Figure 5. As I rode along the road to Alcublas both sides of the road were completely destroyed. Photos can never do it justice ....or should that be injustice? Everywhere was smouldering and the stench was, in places, almost overwhelming.
Figure 6. The ash on the ground and the bare trees gave the scene a very wintry feel almost as if it had snowed.
Figure 7. Smoke was still rising from almost evert angle.
Figures 8, 9 & 10. Everything seemed washed-out and pale. A week before this had all been protected pine forests. I never dreamed it could all change so quickly, so dramatically and so completely. It will never be as it was before.
Figure 11. The higher mountain tops around Alcublas were just massive crematoriums.
Figure 12. In places the fire had consumed the trees completely and they looked just like rows of burned matchsticks waiting to be flicked over.
Figure 13. Both sides of the road had been swallowed.
Figure 14. The only survivors were lower lying fields and open areas free of vegetation. The contrast between the two is stark and unforgiving.
Figures 15 & 16. Rows of matchsticks waiting for breeze to topple them all.
Figure 17. The northern side of Alcublas had been stripped bare. This was area rich in vineyards and natural pine forests. But now.....there is nothing left.
Figure 18. Looking further north towards Altura which has also been heavily affected by the fires. I'll go to see as soon as I can.
Figure 19. Taken from the road back down the mountain in the direction of Casinos.
And here's the video of me taking an 'early bath'!
Hope you liked that! Back soon.....
P XXXX
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