Voeckler

[thwart]

Ya gotta love the guy.

He makes another solo attack in the last 20 K of the Dwars door Vlaanderen yesterday, only to be caught and beaten by the trailing group literally in the last few meters of the race.

We need a few more like him.

[christian]

You know who my favorite cyclist is? That guy. Ever since Tour of Lux 2003. He busts a lung to get the jersey on camera every possible chance. He is the consummate professional.

[ultraman6970]

Ultra likes Voeckler too, he is not a wussy at all and he is not grouch either, like 3 years ago in the TdF, he kept the yellow at all costs plus he gave the chance to his domestique to go for a stage win, thing really rare to nowadays standards.

[christian]

Yes, 2011. Kept the jersey for much longer than anyone thought he could hold on (10 days I think) and then C-R-A-C-K-E-D on the Alpe, where Rolland got the win. Amazing. Then then Chocolate spotty shirt in 2012!

[FlashUNC]

I'm not a fan of Hollywood and his theatrics.

[reggiebaseball]

I like him because he makes the same faces I do when going uphill.

I like him because he is never the "best" racer in any race, but he always makes a run for the win, blowing himself out in the process

he is not like guys who get crabby and half-arse it and whine after the finish.

[dd74]

I'm not a fan of Hollywood and his theatrics.
What theatrics are those?

[bicycletricycle]

yep

[FlashUNC]

What theatrics are those?

The facial contortions, the tongue-wagging, the fidgeting around on the bike. Feigning that he's about to pop only to ride away on a break.

As Inrng and other publications have pointed out, the guy's nickname in the peloton is Hollywood for a reason. Its a schtick as much as anything else.

It gets his sponsors visibility and gets people talking about him, so I can see how he's doing his job. But its not as if he's the only guy turning himself inside out in these races and stages.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

Doesn't whine.

Is not a robot.

Has a personality, and animates races.

Doesn't talk sh%t.

Is gracious.

And generous to teammates.

Rides a Colnago with Campy :rolleyes:.

Who else in the peleton has even two of those qualities? Personally, love the guy.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

T, the one pic I've seen where his tongue is absent.

Ya gotta love the guy.

He makes another solo attack in the last 20 K of the Dwars door Vlaanderen yesterday, only to be caught and beaten by the trailing group literally in the last few meters of the race.

We need a few more like him.

[MattTuck]

I'm not a fan of Hollywood and his theatrics.

I mean, he almost won the race the OP is referring to, video here. (http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/sporten/wielrennen/MV_130320_DDV_LaatsteKilometer)

I'm not sure how that is theatrics... he was trying to win the race and almost did.

[pdmtong]

Is he the French version of Vino?

How about that over shot into the carport a few years ago?

The guy is animated for sure. But, sometimes I think he just loves the camera.

No doubt thought, you gotta love the guy.

[christian]

http://www.ouest-france.fr/of-photos/2011/08/19/lr05_2755558_1_apx_470_.jpg

[FlashUNC]

I mean, he almost won the race the OP is referring to, video here. (http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/sporten/wielrennen/MV_130320_DDV_LaatsteKilometer)

I'm not sure how that is theatrics... he was trying to win the race and almost did.

I don't mean one race in particular, more his overall M.O.

His palmares is remarkably thin for the amount of love he gets. A couple French road titles, one polka dot jersey in one of the flatter Tours of recent memory, and not much else...

The love for Jens and other workhorses I get. Heck, I love Jacky Durand, who made a living on ridiculous breakaways. So its not as if I hate the breakaway artist.

Voeckler's always just struck me as all sizzle but no steak. He does more preening than he does winning.

[cmg]

from Bob Roll's 2011 tour report.
"Except for Thomas Voeckler no one is willing to take any risks or show any courage. Luckily the yellow jersey is strong and refuses to roll over for the GC contenders. I suppose if you took Voeckler out of the equation, the race would be great because you have so many guys close on time. I bet there would be a lot more attacking, but Thomas is strong enough to keep his advantage and he refuses to go away!
I have to say Thomas has proven himself to be a really good bike racer. He’s shown a lot of panache and I know one thing for sure, after this race the peloton won’t let him get in a breakaway again for a decade! You know for years I’ve commented that the French seem the least into the race of all the different countries, but I think that’s gonna change. To be honest, I’m a little afraid if that happens…I mean, it would be great for the sport if the French embraced the Tour, but it would be really bad for traffic…and I say that after sitting in the mother of all traffic jams trying to get down off the mountain tonight. "

Tough rider not afraid to do the work. favorite is the 2011 Paris-nice stage 8 win. climbs with another and drops him after they cross the top in the rain.

[BumbleBeeDave]

It gets his sponsors visibility and gets people talking about him, so I can see how he's doing his job.

. . . that IS what he gets paid to do.

BBD

[FlashUNC]

. . . that IS what he gets paid to do.

BBD

Oh it totally works. Doesn't make him any less insufferable in my book.

[PQJ]

It gets his sponsors visibility and gets people talking about him, so I can see how he's doing his job. But its not as if he's the only guy turning himself inside out in these races and stages.

No, the schtick you don't like isn't what gets the visibility/chatter. Rather, it's the fact that he rides with courage and panache, that he attacks, that he abhors race radios, that he wins and loses, that he's not afraid to try, that he's French, and, like The Little Sweater Vest That Could*, that he's a little guy on a little team fighting the big boys (and even winning sometimes). Personally, I'm a huge fan.


*Rick Santorum, that's for you.

[firerescuefin]

I like Voeckler...but Chavenel is one of my favorites. Love the way he rides...I don't hate TV's theatrics...but do find them a little over the top.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

"............. he's a little guy on a little team fighting the big boys."

'Zactly.

Gatto won, but who's talked about?

[PQJ]

.

[CunegoFan]

Hinault has said Voeckler has a small engine.

There are a few hundred pros in the same tier of middling ability, but how many have been as successful as Voeckler? How many can you recognize from pictures? Voeckler has done really well with what he has.

Put Voeckler's guts in Andy Schleck's body and the dude would be unbeatable.

[dd74]

I think his facial expressions and/or antics show his effort and pain. I have a Europcar cycling cap. Maybe I'll wear it today while riding, sans the tongue wagging and monkey faces.

[AgilisMerlin]

whoa,

tough crowd today :eek:

http://www.loveofbikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Voeckler-stage-18-Voeckler-FB-page.jpg

anyone sat down and had dinner with this gentleman ?

[tiretrax]

I like Voelkler because he animates the race and doesn't seem to be a stuck up prig like so many of the better known riders. Rouleur did an interesting spot on him a few years ago. He seems like one of the few pros with whom I would want to have dinner, or at least a conversation.

[christian]

anyone sat down and had dinner with this gentleman ?I would, but I'm too afraid he'd preen, and then announce he was really really full after the salad course, pick at his steak frites while making faces, and then devour my chocolate mousse when I wasn't looking.

Or something like that.

(I dunno, I still love the guy.)

[ultraman6970]

Seriously, do you think the biggest whiniest in the whole universe deserve to have even a 1% of what Tommy Voeckler has? :no:



Put Voeckler's guts in Andy Schleck's body and the dude would be unbeatable.

[cfox]

Don't forget Voeckler signed for way below his market value to keep his team together. Europcar would only ink the deal to sponsor if he was on the team and couldn't come close to matching some other offers he had. He signed on and kept a lot of people employed. Voeckler's a'ight.

[christian]

Bike pics:

B-Limey, that's nice!
http://cyclingweekly.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/11141%7C000005be1%7C2b6f_Voeckler-Europcar-Colnago.jpg

French National Champion, prettiest bike I ever saw.
http://cdn2.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net/2010/07/14/1/voeckler_colnago_c59_full_view_600.jpg

Spot of yellow:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-at8OpIVg-lU/Tin9dqN6QBI/AAAAAAAABiM/SFSsj9_AjR0/s1600/Stage+19-+Thomas+Voeckler+and+Colnago+C59+Italia+%2527Yello +Jersey%2527+edition.jpg

Spot of spots:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8aMm9wDLfPk/UMHvMKYKjKI/AAAAAAAAFHs/RCIWwoOMCoI/s1600/bettiniphoto_0117892_1_full-824x549.jpg

[dd74]

I would, but I'm too afraid he'd preen, and then announce he was really really full after the salad course, pick at his steak frites while making faces, and then devour my chocolate mousse when I wasn't looking.

Or something like that.

(I dunno, I still love the guy.)

LOL! I once ate with a pro cyclist who did exactly that, except the steak fries were mine. No mousse though, as it was lunchtime.

[AgilisMerlin]

Palmares

http://velopalmares.free.fr/voeckler.htm


Quite the learning curve / can climb to boot

Keeping his team together / panache

Wonder if he and Ernesto chat ?

[CunegoFan]

Seriously, do you think the biggest whiniest in the whole universe deserve to have even a 1% of what Tommy Voeckler has? :no:

Reading comprehension problems?

[ultraman6970]

All the time :p

[Elefantino]

Love the guy. He rides like we all wish we could: giving it his all and failing most of the time but winning occasionally, spectacularly.

There's a reason he's among the most popular riders in the peloton. See above.

Also, the wife likes him a lot.

[Gummee]

Maybe if he wasn't hamming it up for the camera as much...

He may possibly even ride a bit faster!

...but I gotta give him credit for being a race animator vs sitting in and sucking wheel.

M

[reggiebaseball]

I would, but I'm too afraid he'd preen, and then announce he was really really full after the salad course, pick at his steak frites while making faces, and then devour my chocolate mousse when I wasn't looking.

Or something like that.

(I dunno, I still love the guy.)

ok, this is a rather elaborate fantasy date you have constructed. How does the rest of the evening go?

[AgilisMerlin]

maybe, a cheese plate for desert

Or

Baked Alaska

[1centaur]

If I recall the interview in one of the cycling mags correctly, he's on the eccentric side, but he has a super smart cycling mind that has enabled him to out win his engine. If the price of all that unpredictability in a too predictable sport is some facial expressions, I'll take it.

[572cv]

TV's heartfelt effort won me over a while ago. I would love to see the French have a TDF winner again. TV gave them an honest KOM last year and a huge effort the previous year in yellow. I like to think his zeal has encouraged his team. Europcar has been a fun to watch underdog. My observant family gave me a europcar jersey last year for my birthday....

Bon route, Thomas!

[AgilisMerlin]

http://d4nuk0dd6nrma.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Kramon_BrabantsePijl2012_DSC6036-Version-2.jpg

http://cdn4.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net/2013/03/20/2/bettiniphoto_0137238_1_full_670.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9qsHyWiP5L4/UAjn8G05X2I/AAAAAAAAAXs/Ve6Y-FhGXvc/s1600/voeckler_tour_.jpg

http://westrivercycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/thomasvoeckler.jpeg

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1232837/Voeckler_tongue.JPG

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m70fp5utVY1qdw1kro1_1280.jpg

http://www.biciclistul.ro/wp-content/uploads/Voeckler.jpg

http://forallmyfriends.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/thomas-voeckler-colnago-c59-criterium-du-dauphine-2012.jpg

http://forallmyfriends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/thomas-voeckler-colnago-c59.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wBYtlGgP9eg/Tr_yoEMPRKI/AAAAAAAAAOE/G6-2EzR-z_8/s1600/1A1A1AVoecklerVert119280174.jpg

[AgilisMerlin]

Long Article /

http://www.cyclesportmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/TV.jpg

http://www.cyclesportmag.com/features/the-secret-life-of-thomas-voeckler/

http://www.cyclesportmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Interview.jpg

http://www.cyclesportmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Interview-2.jpg

[Johnny P]

I mean, he almost won the race the OP is referring to, video here. (http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/sporten/wielrennen/MV_130320_DDV_LaatsteKilometer)

I'm not sure how that is theatrics... he was trying to win the race and almost did.

Thanks for posting the video.
JP

[Lovetoclimb]

Nobody else wears shorts as short, throwback Thursday!

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

I'd do one just like this............

[AgilisMerlin]

Lovin' the shoes / above

[majorpat]

Give him a break, he's OK in my book. Theatrics? I look like a constipated donkey just tooling around my town so I give him some slack on the facial expressions. It's entertainment.
Pat

[FlashUNC]

Give him a break, he's OK in my book. Theatrics? I look like a constipated donkey just tooling around my town so I give him some slack on the facial expressions. It's entertainment.
Pat

Its sports. Half the fun is hating guys.