Duck wins
August 21st, 2011 at 3:59 pm by David FarrarCongrats to Trevor Mallard who won the 60 km bike race against Whale Oil by several kms at least. He’s just crossed the line. Trevor has done a very good job of downplaying expectations, and exceeding them on the day.
I did note earlier this month:
I’d have to say that Trevor would be considered the favourite and Cameron the underdog.
Trevor is basically a professional full-time cyclist, an amateur part-time blogger and an occasional MP. He did the 160 km Taupo cycle race in under 5 hours in 2009. Off memory he was in the top 5% of cyclists for his age group.
Cameron got on a bicycle around three months ago for the first time in 10+ years. Now Cameron has been training pretty hard, doing 20 km rides most days. But Trevor used to be able to do 20 kms in around half an hour. Whale does have a slight advantage with the course being local to him.
Now of course the big factor is Trevor’s bike crash and broken bones. If Trevor had not had his injury, it wouldn’t even be a contest. What we don’t know is to what extent Trevor is still injured. The crash was just over four and a half months ago which normally would be enough time to rebuild some of the leg muscles etc. And I suspect his overall level of fitness is still pretty good.
I was tempted to joke about what an achievement it is to beat a sickness beneficiary who hadn’t been on a bike for 10 years, until three months ago, but that would be unfair to Trevor who did have a pretty nasty injury to overcome. Full credit to him.
In one sense I think the race has been a win-win. It gave Trevor the motivation to get back on the bike seriously, and it gave Whale the motivation to get seriously into shape and be better both physically and mentally.
Anyway congrats to Trevor and Cameron, and I look forward to donating $1,000 to the CCS far more than I suspect Cactus will enjoy donating $1,000 to the Labour Party!
August 21st, 2011 at 4:10 pm
There must have been a forward pass – can the TMO check please?
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 4:15 pm
To any person who knows about cycling, this doesn’t come as much of a surprise.
I hope that the Whale can at show at least a little grace in defeat. After all is said and done, that’s the measure of a real sportsman.
Good on everyone who has contributed to charity as a result of the race. You guys are the real winners from this event and I’m sure your generosity will be appreciated by those in need of support.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Oh Dear, poor old Whale is going to get it from Cactus now.
Vote:Serious violence should be avoided.
August 21st, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Going from not having cycled for 10 years to a 60km race in three months is damn impressive. Distracting the Labour chief strategist during an election campaign – gold. And well done to Mallard – it was a hell of crash to come back from.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Trevor’s good mood might last until around 6pm, when he realises how much work he has to do in the next 100 days. Rumours are that the numbers aren’t flash…
Well done to both participants though, and my donation will be made to the local CCS branch this week.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 4:26 pm
@ GPT1 I think you’re right. This was an ideal time for Slater to distract Mallard from what he should have been doing for the election campaign.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 4:26 pm
If Cactus is giving the labour party $,1000 I take we can expect more electoral act violating pamphlets in the mail next weekend.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Who would make a suitable race opponent for David Farrar? Charles Chauvel perhaps….
[DPF: 20 demerits]
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Congrats to both of them. It seems to have done them both a lot of physical good and with Mallard coming back from injury and Whale fighting a very public battle with depression I’m sure it’s also been mentally therapeutic as well. I hope they shake hands at the finish line and have a few laughs over a beer in true Kiwi sporting tradition.
I will be donating to the CCS in support of both guys.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 4:53 pm
DPF says: [DPF: 20 demerits]
Oh come on David, where’s your sense of humour?
[DPF: What makes you think I put in hundreds of hours into this blog, so total strangers can take personal pot shots at me? You can do that anywhere else on the Internet but not here]
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 4:55 pm
What a bummer. I hate to see Trev winning anything. At least his mob won’t win the race that really matters.
Great effort by the Whale.
My donation to CCS will be in the mail tomorrow.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 4:55 pm
@ Scott Chris; DPF is very touchy about comments directed towards his physique…
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 4:59 pm
A reverse proxy for Nov 26.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 5:03 pm
DPF
Apologies. Comment meant as friendly jibing. No offence intended. Will know better in future.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Congratulations to the Duck. Donation will be made when I’m in town tomorrow.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Bugger.
As per my post last night, my $100 will be sent to Starship tomorrow morning.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Congratulations to both of them. I wish I could have watched.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Not. Fucking. Happy.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 5:37 pm
So mallard won a bike race against a non biker…big deal.
Vote:It will be the only thing the thug wins this year, me I am not so benevolent towards parliaments resident thug and bully boy.
August 21st, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Cactus Kate
What arrangements have been made for the flayed carcass of the loser after you’ve finished with him?
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 6:02 pm
The reality is that Whale was never going to win against a cyclist of any experience regardless as to how fit he was. Duck will have had the technique and that counts big time. I hope whale keeps it up, though. Does wonders to keep the black dog in check.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Really gutsy to take on a challenge you would expect to lose – no matter how much hard work you put in, pretty tough ask to beat someone far more experienced without having a very good base fitness to start with.
So well done Whale, you have serious balls and know how to walk the walk. Speaking of which, I assume there is now a boxing match looming?
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Nasska
He’s just finished 60ks on a bike. I suspect has self-inflicted raw carcass issues presently. I will wait until the wounds have recovered fully before inflicting Singaporean style whippings.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Yeah Scott, get some time before you call DPF a hobbit dude.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 6:42 pm
Whale Oil Beef Hooked
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 7:15 pm
While Cameron achieved a honourable second place, Trevor came in only second-to-last.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Good effort to Cameron nonetheless … after all, it was the first time he has cycled competitively, so well done for having the guts to take on a seasoned and experienced opponent! It has been fun reading Cameron’s assymetric postings on this event over the last few weeks – I think it is fair to say that Cameron had already won the hearts and minds campaign so make that a double well-done!
But does this mean if there is a “re-match”, then this time it’s on Cameron’s terms?
Congratulations to Trevor! No doubt he is a very happy man at the moment … so I hope he uses the confidence boost …. to roll Goff tomorrow!
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 7:22 pm
Hey Cam, if there’s a “re-match”, howabout a duck or skeet shooting contest, I’m sure Trev would agree (unlike a boxing match) as no doubt Trev would like to let a few rounds off!
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 7:43 pm
So, is an Act list candidate about to become Labour’s biggest donor in 2011?
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 8:07 pm
@Inventory – ouch! Or as the kids would say “LMAO”
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Well done Cameron. You are a winner through this, even though you came second in the race.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Huh? The race gave a couple of egotistical dickheads the publicity neither of them deserves.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Well done both, and congratulations to Trevor.
He won.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Old man beats large depressive young man in cycle race. Public lets out collective yawn
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 8:58 pm
Much like the media give the Greens the publicity they don’t deserve
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 9:22 pm
toad says: “…gave a couple of egotistical dickheads the publicity neither of them deserves…”
Given the latest poll results, the same applies for Wed Wussell and co-leader Turei.
Vote:August 21st, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Cactus Kate (351) Says:
August 21st, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Nasska
He’s just finished 60ks on a bike. I suspect has self-inflicted raw carcass issues presently. I will wait until the wounds have recovered fully before inflicting Singaporean style whippings.
Email just in:
Vote:Oh dear Kate, warned about serious violence on GD.
Still looking at the polls and thinking that any publicity is better than none a good public flogging with all the media invited could do wonders for Act. Can we build you a set of stocks. There is a set at Motat you could use.
We could really do the publicity.
Don.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:41 am
toad (2,959) Says:
August 21st, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Huh? The race gave a couple of egotistical dickheads the publicity neither of them deserves.
Fuck off.
Vote:August 22nd, 2011 at 4:00 am
Slater is a sickness beneficiary?
Vote:August 22nd, 2011 at 5:57 am
Why are donations both ways going to cripples?
Vote:August 22nd, 2011 at 8:14 am
6%
Vote:August 22nd, 2011 at 9:26 am
But Cactus weren’t you his coach.
Vote:August 22nd, 2011 at 9:33 am Vote:
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:38 am
…And holy f**k look at the sour grapes on Me Too’s blog.
Even the Mallard and the Slater managed a bit of a man-hug for the camera.
Big respect to both those nutters for their performance.
Vote:August 22nd, 2011 at 10:22 am
Not a bad headline in the Herald.
Mallard makes ‘blubber boy’ wail.
Vote:August 22nd, 2011 at 11:10 am
Nick Dale asked:
“Slater is a sickness beneficiary?”
–
Yes he is – he has confirmed on his blog and in press interviews.
It’s one of his many contradictions.
Vote:August 22nd, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Well done to the both of them. Sport was the winner on the day
Vote: