So we must find our sporting Edens where we can. The best place right now? Tokyo.
A few hours after the Lions’ victory over the Springboks in the Test series opener in Cape Town, a low-profile Austrian cyclist by the name of Anna Kiesenhofer – a rider without a professional contract, it should be emphasised – won the Olympic Women’s Road Race by riding away from the full-time professionals in the opening moments and remaining in a different postcode for the next four hours.
None of the favourites noticed until it was too late. Indeed, the silver medallist and pre-race favourite, Annemiek van Vleuten of the Netherlands, didn’t notice at all. When she crossed the line second, Van Vleuten assumed she was first and celebrated accordingly. Oops.
This kind of thing happens when robo-minded sportspeople are stripped of the technological support on which they have come to depend – there was no in-race radio communication system, in this case – and are suddenly left to work things out on their Jack Joneses.
If Van Vleuten fell short on that score, Kiesenhofer was just about the last person on earth to mess up the calculations. She does, after all, hold a PhD and a post-doctoral fellowship in mathematical physics.
“In the most important race, you’re not allowed to ride with communication,” said the silver medallist, through gritted teeth. “It should have made the race more interesting, but instead it made it more confusing.”
This story is from the August 01, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 01, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.