Comments on: Why are British Cycling so Successful?

By: Kelly at Magicshine

Kelly at Magicshine — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:27:29 +0000

Interesting article, thanks for sharing. Well done to Team GB this year!

By: Jose

Jose — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 08:29:05 +0000

This remind me of the video released about the rider Cancellara where he was shown in a way that made the UCI think he might be using an engine or something to ride faster;p. It was what the video intended and after races controls where set up to check on every bicycle just to find if an engine had been incorporated;D
Such a good rider Cancellara is! (the video was good as well)

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 20:52:49 +0000

Nice piece of writing. Wheels are important because they are the final part of the chain of events that gets the bike moving forward & so defeating gravity – it’s called rolling resistance. Lower this & you’ve an advantage; it’s been known to equipment geeks for a long long time, so it’s the natural area to aim any criticism at I suppose. As for hiding them in bags, well, these are called wheel bags, also something any cycling fanatic is well aware of. They’re designed to store & protect wheels, & you have to ask, if other countries aren’t using them, then why not? Just one of many little things that add up to make us better than the rest.

By: Hurumph

Hurumph — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:39:20 +0000

James Small said that the French were particularly curious because the British kept their wheels in bags between races, and guessed that there was something special about them the Brits were trying to keep secret, but they were the same wheels as the French had and this was done to keep the wheels clean.

Laura Trott has just won gold!

By: tejvan

tejvan — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:32:42 +0000

>Very interesting information, thank you. I have just been a little stunned by the matter about wheels. Is there really a believe within the ‘peloton’ that Brittish riders use better wheels?

I don’t think so. I think most pros don’t worry too much about different kinds of equipment. You would have a hard job telling apart the bikes used by different teams

By: Jose

Jose — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 11:25:09 +0000

Hi,
Very interesting information, thank you. I have just been a little stunned by the matter about wheels. Is there really a believe within the ‘peloton’ that Brittish riders use better wheels?
In my opinion, certainly not an important one since I don’t live in the UK, is that probably the key factors are the talent and the talent Spotting. Because I always believe (or want to believe) that talent is the main reason why an athlete manages to succeed. But of course, it’s also important to find the talent and to properly work on it. I think talent spotting methods (such as going to the schools) may make a difference.

By: tejvan

tejvan — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 10:25:26 +0000

Or as the Daily Drivel says – maybe its just because we’re good at the ‘sit down sports’ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2184822/London-Games-2012-Team-GBs-success-cycling-rowing-equestrian-events-leaves-Britain-brink-historic-gold-medal-haul.html