Not even virtual racing is immune from mechanical issues

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FoilDodo
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Not even virtual racing is immune from mechanical issues

The bike racing world has moved indoors and racing has gone virtual - both to stay in shape and keep up fans' interest. But racers are still having real world problems like mechanicals: https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/matthews-suffers-mechanical-in-virtual-tour-of-flanders/

Quote:
Under normal circumstances – by that we mean outside – riders are often hampered by crashes and mechanicals, but one of the draws with online racing is that it’s meant to eliminate such issues. However, Matthews found himself unable to change gears and could only watch on from the computer screen set up in his home as his rivals disappeared up the virtual road.

In a women's virtual race, someone lost because her husband tripped over the power cord. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/national/story/2020-04-04/pulled-plug-shows-hazards-of-virtual-competition

Quote:
Carfrae was doing well on the 90 kilometer (55 mile) bike stage when she suffered a virtual mechanical failure. Husband Tim O’Donnell tripped over the cord of her smart trainer, disconnecting it and putting her out of the race.

“He decided to bring my trophies in here as motivation and when he walked around the back he kicked out the plug. What an idiot,” Carfrae said.

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Re: Not even virtual racing is immune from mechanical issues

Is there a virtual app for hidden electric motors?

Bill Herderich

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Re: Not even virtual racing is immune from mechanical issues
windlord wrote:

Is there a virtual app for hidden electric motors?

"virtual" hidden motors, virtual "epo". The opportunities are many (and already happened)

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/british-eracing-champion-banned-for-cheating/

Quote:
British Cycling has been forced to disqualify and ban the first eRacing national champion Cameron Jeffers after it was revealed he manipulated his profile and unlocked special equipment in the Zwift platform.

The governing body charged him with Unsporting Conduct, erased his result, banned him for six months and fined him £250.
...
According to The Guardian, Jeffers manipulated his profile by using a bot to ride at a weight of 45kg, doing 2000W for over 200km. The rides helped him unlock the Zwift Concept Z1 bike that offered performance advantages on his rides.

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Re: Not even virtual racing is immune from mechanical issues

It seems that cycling racers view cheating as way of life.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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Re: Not even virtual racing is immune from mechanical issues
Randy wrote:

It seems that cycling racers a lot of people view cheating as way of life.

FTFY. Baseball players, Olympic athletes, NASCAR mechanics and business executives just to name a few feel left out. Pro cycling has always been a blue-collar hard-edged sport,though. We're spoiled because so many of us became aware of it via Greg Lemond - clean cut, middle class. It was a way for European kids to stay out of the factory and make a few bucks. If they were lucky and good, they could retire to their home town and open a tavern or bar. They often weren't riding bikes because they liked bikes but because they hated working in a dark, dangerous factory or mine.

Similar to a lot of the early NASCAR guys who learned to drive fast cars as a way to make an illegal living - pushing the rules was always just part of the game. It was a dangerous livelihood but beat the pants off working on the farm. Cycling didn't really get serious about doping until young riders were dropping dead like flies in the early 90s from EPO. Before that, it was just part of the cynical game like a NASCAR mechanic trying to sneak more horsepower out of the car. The great Eddy Merckx (perhaps the GOAT of cycling) was sanctioned three times for doping. Back then you got banned for a month. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddy_Merckx#Doping

The cynicism is portrayed well in the movie Breaking Away when the young American rider encounters his heroes and finds out how they really play the game.

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Re: Not even virtual racing is immune from mechanical issues

I think MLB and NASCAR cleaned up their act, but it seems the bike racing hasn't been that successful. Perhaps the participants are just more inventive. Of course, I get all of my cycling news from you, dear Webguy so, there's that.... At least windsurf racers wouldn't cheat....would they?

BTW - I watched Breaking Away when it first came out, mainly because the story took place in Bloomington, IN, home of my alma mater. The then President of Indiana University, John Ryan, had a small role in the movie playing himself.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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Re: Not even virtual racing is immune from mechanical issues
Randy wrote:

I think MLB and NASCAR cleaned up their act,

What did you say, Randy? I couldn't hear you over the banging of trash can lids. Lol

and, racing is still racing: https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/motor/2019/11/09/controversy-follows-nascar-phoenix-after-bubba-wallaces-admission/2549131001/

edit: tbf, racing isn't the Wild West it used to be. The powers that be don't want to scare off Proctor and Gamble and are more willing to nuke cheaters than other sports (cough, cough, MLB and NFL, cough)

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Re: Not even virtual racing is immune from mechanical issues

I would have said: Randy,the silence is deafening.... Lol

webguy wrote:

What did you say, Randy? Lol

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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