Gender Roles

It was a mixed weekend for women in cycling worldwide. At the Tour of Flanders Peter Sagan was a bit of a naughty boy on the podium and has had to apologise to everyone involved. Still it looks like it’s all ok:

What happened on Sunday was wrong. I hope this never happens again. But I'm sure it won't...excuses accepted @petosagan #flanders

— Maja Leye (@MajaLeye) April 1, 2013

Let’s hope he’s learned his lesson. The only way flower girls on the podiums are supposed to be objectified is by looking at them.

Elsewhere women in Saudi Arabia are finally allowed to ride bikes, but only in certain circumstances. I don’t imagine we’ll be seeing any Saudi women on race podiums in any capacity any time soon unless the clothing and chaperone rules are relaxed to allow some actual training.

Away from these gender issues I settled down over the long weekend to watch Nitro Circus (which does feature one woman, although she has a broken arm and is not at her full capacity). The absolute insanity and skill includes a large amount of two wheeled stunts even if many are motor assisted.

More based on bicycles look out for this new series getting you inside the mind of Danny MacAskill.

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