With the issue of whether podium hostesses should still be used in cycling in the news recently as a result of what some saw as a sexist publicity poster for this year’s E3 Harelbeke, organisers of Gent Wevelgem have unveiled their ‘Podium Misters’ for the women’s edition of the race.
Greeting the winner with a peck on each cheek a week on Sunday will be Mr Belgium Personality, Fabio Ronti, and Mister Universe Model Belgium, Philip Moers, says the Flanders Classics organisation, which added the women’s edition in 2012.
With many viewing podium hostesses – or hosts, for that matter – as an anachronism, though, are you of the opinion that two wrongs don’t make a right?
Or do you feel they are a harmless nod to cycling’s traditions?
Does it restore balance, or does it reinforce gender inequality?
Let us know in the comments below.
53 thoughts on “Gent-Wevelgem unveils ‘Podium Misters’ for this year’s women’s race”
Keep digging the hole you
Keep digging the hole you fucking morons, faux gender equality on the podium is really going to cover your hairy 1970s misogynastic backsides from the opprobrium that is surely on its way to you bunch of omerta cheating turds
Crawl back into your fucking caves you neanderthal knuckle dragging fucking apes =D>
Hmmm, did I miss something?
Hmmm, did I miss something?
Rich71 wrote:Keep digging the
I wish you wouldn’t sit on the fence. Tell us what you really think!
Rich71 wrote:Keep digging the
Having read this and your comment on the bike box review immediately before I turned to this page I am worried about your anger management issues.
I know I wrote “let us know”
I know I wrote “let us know” your thoughts. Certainly got that with interest 🙂
Something on podium boys and
Something on podium boys and girls what I wrote years back.
http://www.vulpine.cc/Blog/road/podium-boys-oily-pozatto-and-the-inequality-of-sex-in-cycling
Need a way of reporting
Need a way of reporting comments. The language in the first post is totally inappropriate. This website is probably viewed by children and that sort of language is not called for. Road.cc please can you do something about this.
djpalmer32 wrote:Need a way
Viewed by children? More like thousands of grumpy middle aged men if the comments are anything to go by. :))
They can do what they like. I
They can do what they like. I don’t watch cycling races to see a couple of pretty young girls at the end of the race, I can go to the toon on a Saturday night and see them close up if I was that bothered.
It makes absolutely no difference to me to be honest and if anyone has some problem with it don’t watch the presentation. It happens in numerous sports all over the world so cycling is no different.
stumps wrote:if anyone has
“look the other way”. Seriously? Oh stumps, you disappoint me. 🙁
Do you say the same about domestic violence? Or doping?
I know that having podium girls isn’t a crime but it harks back to the days of beauty pageants. It reinforces the idea that women’s purpose is to be useful only for their looks; to be leered at, flutter their eyelashes, kiss a sweaty cyclist and maybe have their arse groped. It reinforces the primitive drag-her-back-to-the-cave stereotypical image that is seriously out of date.
The women I want to see on the podium and in the media are the ones who won the (equally interesting) women’s race.
We should aim for a world in
We should aim for a world in which pretty people have no advantages simply because they are good looking, from now on I’m really going to start trying to deaden my aesthetic sense. Women really love male feminists. I’ve been trying to work on my sexist preference for attractive women in my field of vision, maybe gene therapy?
birzzles wrote:We should aim
Well, that’d be great..but on the other hand, everyone has different skills or attributes. If you have academic ability, business sense, or a manual skill, good for you. If looks are the one thing you have going for you, why should you be destined for a shitty standard of living ? Our genes (mostly) define us, it’s simply luck as to who gets the long and the short straw (and that’s speaking as someone who’s been described as ‘nice, but he’s working class’, with a higher educational attainment than the person that originated that quote).
Of course, there is another career alternative for someone that’s attractive and little else, if you think the oldest profession is the only one they deserve to be in without a decent option, do tell..
Quote:We should aim for a
That’s easy for you chimps to say, but what about me?
I’m so good looking I get aroused when I walk past a mirror…
Hosts or hostesses, is a
Hosts or hostesses, is a tradition that should have been left behind a century or two ago with cocaine and brandy cocktails in the water bottle. I watch women racing because they’re amazing athletes who can go much faster than me. I watch men racing because… you guessed it, they’re amazing athletes who can go much faster than me.
Pretty boys – or girls – on the podium are an irrelevance and a distraction from some seriously good racing.
Phworr, that bird in the
Phworr, that bird in the picture is quite tidy. Sorry, what was the question?
Shouldn’t we be asking the
Shouldn’t we be asking the female cyclists what they’d prefer?
Personally speaking I couldn’t give a hoot either way.
Jonny_Trousers
Why should it only be a matter for female cyclists? What about female non-cyclists? And male cyclists? Outdated gender biases affect everyone at a cultural level, even if you don’t realise it.
Women get the worst of it, but apathy and a laissez-faire attitude from men only promote it, unfortunately.
willvousden
Why should it only be a matter for female cyclists? What about female non-cyclists? And male cyclists? Outdated gender biases affect everyone at a cultural level, even if you don’t realise it.— Jonny_Trousers
In order of your questions…
Because they are the ones who will be most directly affected. Some might find it patronising, some may find it embarrassing, some might think it’s fantastic. I’m not a female professional cyclist so I just don’t know.
I’m not sure how much interest most non-cycling females would have in this matter, but it’s a reasonable point; let’s ask them too.
Male cyclists can of course express an opinion, but like I say, it’s the pro females who will be most directly affected.
The “Outdated gender biases…”statement sounds impressive, and you’re right, but personally speaking I don’t see podium girls or boys (particularly the way they are presented in cycling), as showing any form of bias beyond the fact that the work only goes to reasonably attractive people – although on the Tour of Britain last year…
Jonny_Trousers
Why should it only be a matter for female cyclists? What about female non-cyclists? And male cyclists? Outdated gender biases affect everyone at a cultural level, even if you don’t realise it.— willvousden
In order of your questions…
Because they are the ones who will be most directly affected. Some might find it patronising, some may find it embarrassing, some might think it’s fantastic. I’m not a female professional cyclist so I just don’t know.
I’m not sure how much interest most non-cycling females would have in this matter, but it’s a reasonable point; let’s ask them too.
Male cyclists can of course express an opinion, but like I say, it’s the pro females who will be most directly affected.
The “Outdated gender biases…”statement sounds impressive, and you’re right, but personally speaking I don’t see podium girls or boys (particularly the way they are presented in cycling), as showing any form of bias beyond the fact that the work only goes to reasonably attractive people – although on the Tour of Britain last year…— Jonny_Trousers
The problem with gender bias is that individual instances like this tend to be minor (and therefore easily dismissed) but they’re symptoms of a bigger – but hidden – cultural problem.
If this were the only example of gender bias then you’re right – it would hardly be worth talking about. But unfortunately it’s one of many that pop up in all areas of life; they just don’t appear to be linked, which makes it difficult to deal with. It’s easily missed, too, unless you’re on the receiving end (and even then, it’s so ingrained in our society that it can just be mistaken as “normal”).
The only way to address the cause is to talk about it openly despite people dismissing it as “not a big deal” and to shut it down whenever it does happen.
Besides, we shouldn’t just ignore a problem because we’re not the ones who are affected by it! What happened to standing up for others?
willvousden
Why should it only be a matter for female cyclists? What about female non-cyclists? And male cyclists? Outdated gender biases affect everyone at a cultural level, even if you don’t realise it.— Jonny_Trousers
In order of your questions…
Because they are the ones who will be most directly affected. Some might find it patronising, some may find it embarrassing, some might think it’s fantastic. I’m not a female professional cyclist so I just don’t know.
I’m not sure how much interest most non-cycling females would have in this matter, but it’s a reasonable point; let’s ask them too.
Male cyclists can of course express an opinion, but like I say, it’s the pro females who will be most directly affected.
The “Outdated gender biases…”statement sounds impressive, and you’re right, but personally speaking I don’t see podium girls or boys (particularly the way they are presented in cycling), as showing any form of bias beyond the fact that the work only goes to reasonably attractive people – although on the Tour of Britain last year…— willvousden
The problem with gender bias is that individual instances like this tend to be minor (and therefore easily dismissed) but they’re symptoms of a bigger – but hidden – cultural problem.
If this were the only example of gender bias then you’re right – it would hardly be worth talking about. But unfortunately it’s one of many that pop up in all areas of life; they just don’t appear to be linked, which makes it difficult to deal with. It’s easily missed, too, unless you’re on the receiving end (and even then, it’s so ingrained in our society that it can just be mistaken as “normal”).
The only way to address the cause is to talk about it openly despite people dismissing it as “not a big deal” and to shut it down whenever it does happen.
Besides, we shouldn’t just ignore a problem because we’re not the ones who are affected by it! What happened to standing up for others?— Jonny_Trousers
But we are talking about it; we just don’t all agree. You write really intelligently, but that does not mean your assertions are correct.
Jonny_Trousers wrote:But we
He does write well, though for it to be effective people need to take the time to read it properly.
His statements on this matter, however well argued, cannot be ‘correct’ or otherwise. It is an ethical argument; that is why we don’t agree.
What makes discussions like this more bearable (and worth the effort) is when people resist the urge to slag off the opposing view and think about what they are saying. So far we’re doing reasonably well on that score.
Rich71 your comments are
Rich71 your comments are unnecessary, offensive and obscene and have caused offence. This is not the platform for such foul language whether children may see it or not. Road cc please delete his post and then Barr him from this site
I am always happy to look at
I am always happy to look at good looking people. It makes my otherwise mundane life that tiny bit less mundane.
I really can’t believe how
I really can’t believe how wound up some people get over this issue! They must have a lack of stress elsewhere in their lives. Time to get some perspective.
Gasman Jim wrote:I really
Gender bias is pernicious but very easily dismissed. That’s why it should be called out and discussed when it rears its head, and not just by women 🙂
willvousden wrote:
Gender
Very well said
Gasman Jim wrote:I really
I’m not wound up at all and I most definitely have other things to worry about. I just think it’s inappropriate. In my mind it’s plain wrong. But ignoring it is condoning it.
I realise that we won’t all agree since we all don’t share the same morals. Some people think it’s still OK to discriminate against or denigrate people simply because of their skin colour, ethnic origin, language, religion and so on.
I expect folks like you and stumps will be fine with that… until it happens to you.
Simon E wrote:Gasman Jim
Your statement would be fine if we were all in agreement that women are being discriminated against as a result of pro cycling podium girls. No one above, as far as I can tell, is condoning discrimination. One side believe that the podium girl/guy thing encourages discrimination where another does not; that’s all.
Simon E wrote:Gasman Jim
I’ve just come back to these posts but excuse me, who the hell do you think you are accusing me of discrimination, bigotry, sexism and racism. You dont know one iota about me and have made a massive jump in assuming that because i dont say podium girls are wrong i’m suddenly a discriminating racist. Absolutely pathetic.
Fancying people is great. I
Fancying people is great. I fancy my wife. In fact, I’ve keen managed to procreate with her, which I’d still can’t quite believe.
But cycling is sport, not sex. Women get a raw deal in cycle sport. They’re more often seen on telly as podium girls than the tough commited racers (like Matrix, what I sponsor) that I know. That’s not how to promote cycling to girls. Or indeed boys. It says “be pretty in a little dress or don’t bother”. Or “you do the sport, they’re there to be pretty for you. And what if the girl isn’t pretty? Does she have a place in cycling? Or society?
The old “you’re a male feminist because it gets you shags” argument is about as pathetic as it gets. Don’t judge by your own standards, unreconstructed old dribblers. I’m married to a hot chicka (IMHO). That’s the sexual side sorted. I just happen to like people. And fairness. And half of people are women. They should be treated fairly.
That seems normal. The sadness is to many, it isn’t.
aslongasicycle wrote:Fancying
You’ve just cancelled out any anti-sexism views by referring to a female as a “hot chicka”.
Iamnot Wiggins
It’s not sexist to fancy your wife. Anti-sexism and feminism isn’t about denying sexuality. Its about making it appropriate and fair.
aslongasicycle wrote:Iamnot
It’s not sexist to fancy your wife. Anti-sexism and feminism isn’t about denying sexuality. Its about making it appropriate and fair.— aslongasicycle
It’s the terminology used to describe your wife, not whether you fancy her or not. It’s nice that you still fancy her in all fairness but I bet you wouldn’t introduce her to people as your hot piece of ass!
aslongasicycle wrote:Fancying
Actually an interesting divergence from the podium angle is about how we push women hither and thither with our conceptual norms. Women are more subject to this because of their gender than men. We are men and we have a job. Women are are women/mother’s/professionals etc. But we make it hard for women to just be by forcing concepts and ideas on them – that goes for and against gender bias. But you might also bring sexuality into this and androgenism. If we accept that all sports dope women sports persons are highly subject to it – but when you consider that anabolic steroids are a key component in that you forcing women to become ‘more like men’ it makes the idea of ‘who’ is forcing ‘what’ on ‘whom’ all a bit dizzying. Politics and science never did sit like easy bed fellows.
A bit of a pointless
A bit of a pointless exercise, I’d rather they sort out the level of inequality in pay and having more races for women and tv coverage.
Give each recipient, male or
Give each recipient, male or female, their preference, i.e. the choice of a male, a female or a flower giving machine – or self service choose your own. I don’t like flowers – what else you got?
Why the flowers anyway? Does anyone care about how those poor flowers feel?
Thank heavens it’s not an argument that’s found its way into motor sport.
Eebijeebi wrote:Thank heavens
I guess that just means that cycling the more up-to-date of the two 🙂
How about we do away with
How about we do away with this outdated concept. In all “sports”
Anyway, Ghent is a lovely
Anyway, Ghent is a lovely little town. Quite hard to find anywhere open for breakfast, though.
Coming from Madrid to live in
Coming from Madrid to live in Gent, I haven’t get used yet to the opening hours.. but if you need a breakfast, I vouch for simon Says, Le Pain Perdu, Superette or Julie’s house, and of course, Bidon Cafe 🙂
http://www.visitgent.be/en/breakfast-and-brunch
https://hipsteadresjesgent.wordpress.com/tag/ontbijt/
Please delete delete the post
Please delete delete the post from rich79 and ban him from the forum.
Now all we need is for one of
Now all we need is for one of the women to pinch one of those guys’ arse lol.
It’ll be interesting to see the difference in reaction.
As a male, I really don’t have a problem with this at all.
Most of these girls work for
Most of these girls work for modelling agencies and they do the podium bit to ultimately get noticed and promote themselves for bigger and better jobs. Yes, some work for the sponsor company.
What Sagan did was completely wrong and i would never condone such actions.
So where does it stop, do we stop Next, Kays, Littlewoods etc etc from having catalogues where females appear in swimsuits or heaven forbid underwear.
Its a job to them and they get paid for it so who are we to say “i dont agree, you cant do it”. A female or male, can do whatever they want and should never be told “you cant” because some people feel its archaic.
By all means dont like it, i personally dont give 2 toots if they are there or not, its not what i watch cycling for and i always switch the race off once the result comes up.
The original story is a bit
The original story is a bit of a storm in a D-cup but Rich71 your coments neither improve on silence nor add anything constructive to the debate.
Please take yourself to one side and have a good word with yourself. Cheers! 😀
levermonkey wrote:The
I think the silence can be attributed to there being too much daylight. He should resurface anytime soon now the sun has set. Mind you his rather harsh reaction could be attributed to the recent solar flares and eclipse messing about with his circuitry.
Now then, let’s be practical
Now then, let’s be practical about this. Podium girls are generally, well, girls because societal norm assume the heterosexuality of the winner. Now in the 21st century we can’t abide by this. I therefore suggest that the UCI implement forthwith the addition of the following questionnaire to all entry form in any UCI-sanctioned events (male or female):
A-herm.
“In the eventuality of any kind of prize to be awarded to myself, I wish for this do be done by:
– Podium girls (2)
– Podium dudes (2)
– Podium girl (1) and Podium dude (1)
– A border collie named Henry
– Mario Cippolini.”
That should sort it…. 😀
Arno du Galibier wrote:Now
No, it’s because societal norm assumes women are servants. Back in the olden greek days, the returning victor soldiers would often as not sleep with little boys to celebrate their triumph, not the garlanding, flower-throwing servants.
Wimbledon pays women the same, has officials in jackets doing the prizes.
First post was excellent. Children can cope with words just fine.
Arno du Galibier wrote:Now
Nearly … I think race organisers should have both the Podium Girl and Podium Dude teams on standby and randomly select a combination for all prizes to avoid any bias in preferences from competitors. Make sure they document the process in advance as well – absolutely identical actions prepped for the girls and the dudes.
O.K., from now onwards we are
O.K., from now onwards we are to have awards ceremonies performed with one male and one female, neither dressed in revealing clothes or national costumes (too nationalistic), no flowers (pollen risk – would hate for a pro to have to take drugs for this) and no alcohol (bad example to children and more importantly wasteful).
By banning those who are more aesthetically pleasing for a fugly person or those in-between – would this not be discriminatory (would certainly rule me out).
The winners photographs are needed by sponsors, etc for promotion of the event which is why the (often) disinterested mayor (insert local dignatory) is removed before the pictures taken.
Really the best people to hand out awards would be for someone who has achieved something in the cycling world to be available at every event but with some personal appearance fees truly ridiculous this is unlikely to happen.
Good looking people hand out
Good looking people hand out awards. It’s a job.
Good looking people model cycle clothing too. It’s a job.
I do think the former can be replaced with local cycling kids, cycle club secretaries and even the nearest cycke shop owner. It would be more relevant.
If it is good for cycling
If it is good for cycling prizegivings to spend a moment reminding us of how beautiful beautiful women in dresses are, why don’t they bring podium girls to wimbledon, and to my school prizegiving? There are all sorts of situations where we can focus for a moment on how beautiful the ladies in dresses can be, even in situations like protour cycling where women don’t actually participate in any other way with equality. What about a spot of flash or javascript so we can have a beautifully-clothed lady introduce each new page we open on road.cc? There can be an option to have fellas instead because that would make it all equal and stuff.
Why are there MAMILs but not so many MAWILs? Complete mystery, must be some invisible societal force out of our control. Or womens’ brains being different, yes, that’ll be it.
I wonder what would happen if
I wonder what would happen if we ever discussed podium girls riding through red lights while not wearing helmets. I’m not sure the internet could take it.
People like looking at good
People like looking at good looking people. You cannot be unprogrammed to not. These good looking people have a right to ply their faces and bodies to help promote whatever the sponsors want them to. You don’t have to buy into this product/service. You could just enjoy the view and get over it.
I do think that it is possible some people take this matter a bit to seriously. It is not exactly bikini american football. Or mud wrestling. It is only right and proper that women get a male equivilent, if they like.