NVGP Rumor, part II – Just as I suspected
April 8th, 2009 |Regarding the previous post, sometimes it’s important to get the entire story before publishing rumor. Otherwise people get all upset and militant when they only have half the story. I know this from first hand experience myself.
The BikeThrow.com statement “the Nature Valley Grand Prix has warned a certain individual; if he persists in using the tour as a vehicle to promote his brand or message, the NVGP will have him arrested and may take legal action against him” is simply not true.
What is true is that the Nature Valley Grand Prix has threatened that if a certain individual, or ANYONE for that matter, runs out onto the race course while competitors are in action, ignoring the calls of the course martials, and interfere with the racers or the media (moto-cameramen) covering the race, they may be asked to leave the event or may be arrested, regardless of what sign or logo they may be sporting.
This is not a freedom of speech issue, this is a safety issue. This goes back a topic that I have written about before. I am strongly opposed to spectators interfering with racers or racing. It’s dangerous and these kind of actions only promote an escalation in this type of behavior. Racers can get knocked off their bikes, spectators can fall down and be injured, moto-drivers might lose control of their vehicles. Spectators: stay the hell out of the god damn way.
What I am really surprised about in this situation is the total lack of journalistic ethics displayed on the part of BikeThrow.com in only reporting half of this story. I guess this is where the “gossip” part of their sub-heading comes into play. However, if this type of “reporting” continues I would seriously question whether BikeThrow.com should continue to be treated as a media source when it comes time to allocate press passes for future cycling events. It’s one thing to post rumor and gossip on a blog, it’s another thing to try and present yourself as a news source and publish a story like this.
Bad move guys. Bad move.
32 Responses to “NVGP Rumor, part II – Just as I suspected”
Thank you.
Like I said before, I talked to the “individual” and it sounds to me like NVGP is tap dancing and changing their tune due to the overwhelming support of this “individual” Just my two cents….
Why don’t you start legitimizing yourself with some actual sources coming on record, Don?
BTDC was *never* a legitimate news source, it’s a distraction.
Well said Smithers. Showing a sign on the sidelines = harmless. Running up the middle of the course with a sign over your head = stupid and dangerous.
while mostly dangerous, yes, sometimes hitting a drunk spectator is really fun, and if you’re in a really neat place like Belgium, the drunk spectator is most likely going to get beat up. yep.
hey Super Rookie,
didn’t you used to work for the NVGP? Doing a podcast or something? Wow. Next time, here’s a knife.
Sounds like they were trying to be fair and balanced.
“What I am really surprised about in this situation is the total lack of journalistic ethics displayed on the part of BikeThrow.com in only reporting half of this story.”
And you contacted the “other half” for his version of said conversation (threats)? Is that what you are now “reporting”?
Am I the only one to note the hypocrisy in your “reporting”?
@Donimator: yeah, I’m kinda thinkin the same thing…what else can they do besides “backpedal” now?
@Wheels: And you contacted the “other half” for his version of said conversation (threats)? Is that what you are now “reporting”?
Am I the only one to note the hypocrisy in your “reporting”?
I don’t report. This is a blog, not a news site.
If you take seriously anything you read on my site, or any blog, you do so at your own peril.
Hmmm, so I should not take as fact … What is [b]true[/b] is that the Nature Valley Grand Prix has threatened …?
Convenient for you to state something as fact, only to then hide behind the “take with a grain of salt because I’m just a blogger” – defense.
Very sly Mr. Smithers.
@Wheels: You are free to take as fact what ever you desire.
Again, I am not a reporter and this is not a news site. My feeling was that BikeThrow had a greater responsibility to attempt to report the reality than some blogger does.
I think my statement is true. There is certainly more to this story that I don’t know. Is it my job to investigate? I don’t think it is.
But all of this is only my opinion. If BikeThrow had written their piece as an opinion piece instead of a news piece than it could have been discussed as such.
- Did BikeThrow talk to anyone at NVGP about this rumor?
- Is anyone on the record about this situation?
- Does anyone really think they are going to be arrested for showing up at the NVGP wearing a logo t-shirt?
This whole thing is absurd.
I would probably run things differently if I was in charge of the NVGP, thank god that I am not. But I do not understand the unending antagonism and resentment towards the NVGP by some in the cycling community.
This story had real legs because of the already ginned up antipathy towards the NVGP in this community.
Maybe that is the real story here.
don’t believe the hype….blogs lie all the time
super rookie has been arrested at the NVGP.
i’m sure he’s about to tell us all about it.
WTF?
I had nothing to do with this one.
@Tito Colnago:
1) I never ever got paid.
2) Are you trying to tell me that I am not a fan of the Nature Valley Gran Prix? I am perhaps their biggest supporter (ask Snide).
3) I first read the story when I woke up this morning. The author is sticking to his guns and it is what it is.
4) The NVGP does not bankroll the site and individuals can publish what they as long as it fits our motto, “Minnesota Cycling News and Gossip.”
5) I don’t like people running in the middle of the street.
6) I love Boost energy drink, but I have since moved onto bigger and better things like, APC.
7) I can’t wait for the pro’s to race.
@Super Rookie:
1) blah
blah
2) blah
3) blah
4) blah
5) blah
6) blah
7) blah
9) ever since the CW went to digital transmission i have been unable to watch gossip girl… luckily there is bikethorw.com and smithermpls.com!!
People actually took/take bikethrow seriously? It has never been news, just local bike gossip to stir the pot.
The integrity of the site went down hill when Hanna and Donimator took over!
So Super Rookie’s disavowing all knowledge, responsibility of his own site’s content? Might want to think about that.
@(dis): you can totally watch gossip girl online still.
@Emily: WHAT!?
shit! i am weeks behind!!
i am cancelling all plans.
sorry tuffride, you have been bumped!
Hey Tito, Were you aware/responsible for all content broadcasted by your former employer.
Seems as though you have a axe to grind with Rookie. I can think of many reasons but this story isn’t one of them. Besides, you should know all about half assed reporting.
@(dis): i wish i could have told you this last night during ’social media activate’ time. catch up. you’ll never believe what chuck does next…
@Emily:
omg. don’t tell me!
are you friends with blair on facebook?
i don’t think its really her, cuz shes fictional… but it’s still cool.
i think shes my fav, but shes such a bitch sometimes. lol.
idk, maybe serena is my fav.
@(dis):
blair and i have been bff on facebook for like ten years now…and top 8 on myspace, AND i follow her twitter, read her blog, and watch all the celebrity gossip rags for fab photo updates. we’re close like that.
i think you and serena should date. you’d be, like, totally cute together.
@Emily: @(dis): I don’t know what you two are talking about…
@Smithers:
neither do I, but it’s a totally better conversation than the bs about the nvgp/h-wood row. Plus Blair, Emily and Serena are all hotter than hotter than H-Wood, Street Sweeper, Colnago, NVGP Nazis, and that’s what is really important!
@Emily:
omg. really!? you think!? XD
serena is totes cute!
@skibby: Nazis are so passé.
xoxo, gossip (dis)
So jumping out in front of the pack just before the last corner in my Jesus robes and sandals carrying a sign reading “The End is Near!” is now considered inappropriate?