Sigi's tips: horror falls on two wheels

Sigi Heinrich has been a sports reporter and TV commentator for decades.

Even legends are only flesh and blood. Like Valentino Rossi, who has been firmly in the saddle of his motorcycle for 20 years and has become world champion nine times. And you think to yourself: Nothing can shake this hero on two wheels. But after the races in Spielberg he was seen deathly pale and in a state of shock. Rossi only escaped with his life through a kind stroke of fate. “Each of us should say a prayer tonight, no matter who,” he said after seeing images of the near-disaster at the finish. And he warned: We need to have more respect for each other again. Like other colleagues, he also criticized the route in Spielberg, which was no longer up to date. The criticism came after he had slowly regained color in his face. After. The reactions of colleagues who travel on two wheels without an engine were similar, thanks only to their muscle strength and endurance. There is also great frustration in the racing bike scene after the orgies of crashes on the Tour of Poland, the Tour of Lombardy and the Criterium du Dauphine stage race. For many, horror falls on the assembly line mean the end of this season before it has even really begun with the possible classics. And here too the reactions are similar to those in the motorcycle scene. According to the tenor, the routes are sometimes unreasonable. In addition, there would be serious security deficiencies when it comes to the barriers. After. All comments here too. Athlete representatives The protagonists of their sports, the main actors, the athletes, mutate into willing playthings of economic interests and are mostly voiceless. Some associations (FIS and IBU) adorn themselves with athlete representatives, who are nothing more than a fig leaf under the motto: But we listen to you. Maybe once a year at some conference. Collaboration is rarely much more intensive. But it would be too easy to just pass the buck on the organizers and the international associations. With more personal responsibility, all athletes, regardless of whether they do their work in summer or winter, would have the power to not just put a finger in the many wounds. Of course, it is easier to secure a ski run with mats than a cycle route of several hundred kilometers. And logically, no racing cyclist can inspect every meter beforehand to uncover possible weak points. But the cyclists would have to demand at least a race director, as has been common practice in skiing for many years. One who represents their interests. Someone who can give the green light or turn the traffic light to red. Courageous and equipped with all skills. Also against the racing teams that need television presence and against the sponsors, who usually only outwardly act as if they want to protect the athletes. They should drive, that's what they get paid for. Of course, this is only an argument behind closed doors. Selfishness before the common good But ultimately - and this is the sad realization - the egoism of those involved usually wins over the sporting common good. There is almost never a cheap merger or even a rebellion in controversial cases. Everyone quickly becomes the next to themselves. And in many cases, the most important asset can be at stake: health and therefore the continuation of a career, which is also subject to a time limit. Sometimes I catch myself thinking that we should grab the athletes by the shoulder and shake them to tell them that they are essentially the ones at the controls of power. Make something of it. Previously. It's about you. It's your life. Complaining afterwards is not a solution, because afterwards it is usually or almost always too late.

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Sigi's tips: horror falls on two wheels

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