I smell a Rat

In wakew of Schumacher's dramatic cancellation of his temporary ride with Ferrari, does anyone sense a feeling of foul play? Lots of people stod to gain from this, none mosat than Mr Bernie Ecclestone and if this was his creation he has pulled an absolute master stroke. With a cloud hanging over Renault's participation in the European GP, surely Bernie had to come up with something of a temporary fix, to boost the ticket sales further now that Alonso may not be able to participate?

Tickets for Spa sky rocketed with the decision to step in for Massa, and there is no get out clause for people who purchased their tickets even if they think there could be a chance, there were no guarantee's that Schumacher would be racing.

Also could the FIA have played a part in this little soap opera? The bad publicity they would be receiving should they decide to bar Renault from this race, a sense of "Its not all bad even if our hero isn't racing, we get to see one last race from arguably the greatest driver ever to grace Formula 1"

Also, Ferrari have had alot of publicity over the last couple of weeks since Schumacher's announcement, they were going through a bit of a 'quiet' period so to speak, basically, no one was talking about Ferrari anymore, like in 2005 when they were in their slump then.

Ontop of that, the Schumacher brand got a huge boost from all of this spotlightbeing on him lately.

Now people will probably criticize me for this post but seriously, one has to wonder? Something is just fishy about this whole thing, Weber saying first that Michael was 100% not coming back, then just last week in an interview saying he would be racing 100% no matter what, to this?

Its too strange for my liking.

Anyone feel any of these vibes aswell?

In wakew of Schumacher's dramatic cancellation of his temporary ride with Ferrari, does anyone sense a feeling of foul play? Lots of people stod to gain from this, none mosat than Mr Bernie Ecclestone and if this was his creation he has pulled an absolute master stroke. With a cloud hanging over Renault's participation in the European GP, surely Bernie had to come up with something of a temporary fix, to boost the ticket sales further now that Alonso may not be able to participate?

Tickets for Spa sky rocketed with the decision to step in for Massa, and there is no get out clause for people who purchased their tickets even if they think there could be a chance, there were no guarantee's that Schumacher would be racing.

Also could the FIA have played a part in this little soap opera? The bad publicity they would be receiving should they decide to bar Renault from this race, a sense of "Its not all bad even if our hero isn't racing, we get to see one last race from arguably the greatest driver ever to grace Formula 1"

Also, Ferrari have had alot of publicity over the last couple of weeks since Schumacher's announcement, they were going through a bit of a 'quiet' period so to speak, basically, no one was talking about Ferrari anymore, like in 2005 when they were in their slump then.

Ontop of that, the Schumacher brand got a huge boost from all of this spotlightbeing on him lately.

Now people will probably criticize me for this post but seriously, one has to wonder? Something is just fishy about this whole thing, Weber saying first that Michael was 100% not coming back, then just last week in an interview saying he would be racing 100% no matter what, to this?

Its too strange for my liking.

Anyone feel any of these vibes aswell?

Then why bother going from






To

Bernie stood to gain absolutely zero to be honest ... it's not like TV broadcasters were paying extra for races MS would be in, or that the tracks would pay a higher fee :S

Tracks would have benefited from higher ticket sales and TV networks from higher viewing figures

Edited by engel, 11 August 2009 - 09:20.

In wakew of Schumacher's dramatic cancellation of his temporary ride with Ferrari, does anyone sense a feeling of foul play? Lots of people stod to gain from this, none mosat than Mr Bernie Ecclestone and if this was his creation he has pulled an absolute master stroke. With a cloud hanging over Renault's participation in the European GP, surely Bernie had to come up with something of a temporary fix, to boost the ticket sales further now that Alonso may not be able to participate?

Tickets for Spa sky rocketed with the decision to step in for Massa, and there is no get out clause for people who purchased their tickets even if they think there could be a chance, there were no guarantee's that Schumacher would be racing.

Also could the FIA have played a part in this little soap opera? The bad publicity they would be receiving should they decide to bar Renault from this race, a sense of "Its not all bad even if our hero isn't racing, we get to see one last race from arguably the greatest driver ever to grace Formula 1"

Also, Ferrari have had alot of publicity over the last couple of weeks since Schumacher's announcement, they were going through a bit of a 'quiet' period so to speak, basically, no one was talking about Ferrari anymore, like in 2005 when they were in their slump then.

Ontop of that, the Schumacher brand got a huge boost from all of this spotlightbeing on him lately.

Now people will probably criticize me for this post but seriously, one has to wonder? Something is just fishy about this whole thing, Weber saying first that Michael was 100% not coming back, then just last week in an interview saying he would be racing 100% no matter what, to this?

Its too strange for my liking.

Anyone feel any of these vibes aswell?

according to many Renault will be allowed to race, that leaves the conspiracy theories to ferrari. I believe they where genuine in trying to have michael in the car.

Renault team thinks there is something wrong too.

Doesn't Bernie get a share of ticket sales?

And it had to be half obvious that progress was being made, you couldn't have the world beleiving he'd make a comeback if hes sitting on his ass doing nothing now could you?

Utter BS, here we go again.

A neck fracture sustained during a motorbike crash. Seems plausible to me. Quite a serious injury when you consider the strain on the neck from driving an F1 car.

Yet still people are willing to roll out the 9/11 conspiracy files on yet another dumb implausible desperate 'theory'.

Utter BS, here we go again.

A neck fracture sustained during a motorbike crash. Seems plausible to me. Quite a serious injury when you consider the strain on the neck from driving an F1 car.

Yet still people are willing to roll out the 9/11 conspiracy files on yet another dumb implausible desperate 'theory'.

Oh, the irony.

I would say Montezemolo has just been doing his job. You could even argue that to a certain extent Schumacher has been manipulated via to Massa's unfortunate accident. It seems Weber knew all along that it was impossible, more so than even Schumacher.

I think as a 'political' decision the whole thing was a punt anyway. It served immediately to provide a 'positive' to deflect away from the 'negative' of Massa and obviously gave a masive boost to the team and generated copius amounts of nostalgic Ferrari publicity. Basically the whole thing smells of 'Montezemolo's machinations'. Very clever really. He generated about 10 positives for just two negatives, Massa'a accident and now Schumachers withdrawal.

I do wonder though, what access did Schumacher have to the F60 simulator? Would that have gone down with the factory. I wonder if this may have antagonised the injuries to a greater extent than say the F2007, is schumacher familiar with the artificial loads generated through simulation? On the face of it Schumachers injuries superficially seem very similar to Massa's. Although of course we are told everything is right as rain by Sabine.

Manipulation is the theme of the day. The people involved are simply far to proffessional for any random unknowns. Shame, Hamilton was licking his lips with his usual positive attitude to things.

Doesn't Bernie get a share of ticket sales?

And it had to be half obvious that progress was being made, you couldn't have the world beleiving he'd make a comeback if hes sitting on his ass doing nothing now could you?

no he doesn't, Bernie gets a flat fee and tracks use ticket sales to recoup the fee

Correct me if im wrong but is this place not but a place for discussion? It was my opinion, and i was interested to know if any other people out there had a similar feeling? If you don't have a constructive post then simple, dont post.

I am disappointed to say the least. He must have known about a neck fracture. They must have been more open and transparent to the public from the beginning. Don't say it's not true but it really smells.

I think bony neck injuries can be like that, seem fine until you really load them up. I guess he thought it might get better or worse with exercise/stress, and unfortunately it got worse. It's a fine line whether the body recovers from stress and gets fitter, or doesn't and develops an injury.

In my view (which is from this nice grassy knoll I have found) there was never a question it was a genuine attempt for Michael to race. Just his neck/back whatever is now no longer up to it.

In wakew of Schumacher's dramatic cancellation of his temporary ride with Ferrari, does anyone sense a feeling of foul play? Lots of people stod to gain from this, none mosat than Mr Bernie Ecclestone and if this was his creation he has pulled an absolute master stroke. With a cloud hanging over Renault's participation in the European GP, surely Bernie had to come up with something of a temporary fix, to boost the ticket sales further now that Alonso may not be able to participate?

Tickets for Spa sky rocketed with the decision to step in for Massa, and there is no get out clause for people who purchased their tickets even if they think there could be a chance, there were no guarantee's that Schumacher would be racing.

Also could the FIA have played a part in this little soap opera? The bad publicity they would be receiving should they decide to bar Renault from this race, a sense of "Its not all bad even if our hero isn't racing, we get to see one last race from arguably the greatest driver ever to grace Formula 1"

Also, Ferrari have had alot of publicity over the last couple of weeks since Schumacher's announcement, they were going through a bit of a 'quiet' period so to speak, basically, no one was talking about Ferrari anymore, like in 2005 when they were in their slump then.

Ontop of that, the Schumacher brand got a huge boost from all of this spotlightbeing on him lately.

Now people will probably criticize me for this post but seriously, one has to wonder? Something is just fishy about this whole thing, Weber saying first that Michael was 100% not coming back, then just last week in an interview saying he would be racing 100% no matter what, to this?

Its too strange for my liking.

Anyone feel any of these vibes aswell?

You know what Ockham's Razor is? It's the suggestion that when there are two or more conflicting ideas, the one that requires the least stretch of the imagination is most like to be right.

On the one hand, you have your massive PR conspiracy theory, that Ferrari were desperate for attention, that Ecclestone wants larger crowd numbers and so on. On the other, you have the notion that Schumacher is actually injured.

I'll tell you why your theory doesn't work: because if it were all about the public attention, Schumacher would actually be racing instead of withdrawing a fortnight beforehand.

I got a bit confused and thought for a moment Lauda was making a comeback.

'I smell a rat'

A big fat red one?

Edited by Tenmantaylor, 11 August 2009 - 09:46.

It's all a setup indeed.

Schumacher was to be participating in the Open Dutch Racing for motors race in Assen, this was about to be a secret to be reveiled on the track in Assen, but when he suddenly came with his comeback story, Ferrari forbid him to partipate in this motor race totally.

Now, tell me, if his injury indeed was so bad as he now claims it seems to be, why then he was going to participate in a motor race in the Netherlands? With many risks for his healh, I believe even more than during a F1 race.

It's an excuse, what they kept behind they're hands silently or in the small letters of the news articles.

Luca and Benie pulled the fans a leg, with many help of Schumacher. So even when he is not participating he is able to make his fans and non-fans stir they're glasses..... unbelievable, but the truth is way weirder, I'm sure.

Yes it's a fishy thing, it smells and it could be a rat indeed!

" That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula 1 yet. " YET.
I smell a rat too. Hopefully more details will emerge, I have the feeling that at some point in future we'll get to see Schumi back racing in F1. Maybe a racing seat for next season? And with other team than Ferrari?
The neck fracture excuse doesn't pass my smell test, and there is no outside clue as to how fast he actually was. It has to be related to his speed. For the withdrawal to be caused by his speed, there are two variants: he was too slow, or fast, maybe even fast enough to embarass one or both of the current Scuderia drivers.
He couldn't have been slower than Badoer, so perhaps he was fast enough (still no info whether he tested AT ALL the F-60 simulator, hmmm how so?).
Nobody knows exactly what his current contract with Ferrari reads, but it's certain it runs out this year, so if he was fast enough he might have been proposed to either extend the contract (Ferrari still don't know whether Felipe will be as fast as before) or remain on the sidelines till the end of season.
/My 2 cents worth

Edited by valachus, 11 August 2009 - 10:22.

I'm just amazed the OP didn't take the lazy way out and just try to pin everything on Max. It would have saved so much typing.

I don't think it was a conspiricy but I think the line between Schumacher saying he was definitely comeback and was trying to get fit to comeback was blurred by all the headlines and hype.

I thought it was a done deal and booked tickets to Monza on that basis.

Still, Monza in late summer is still a nice place to be...

only rat i smell is that schoo might not be fit enough to last the race driving at maximum attack. it doesnt necesserily have to be that his neck is not healed from bike crash. it might be that his general fitness is not at the desired level and he doesnt want to make a fool of himself cruising for half the race.

Rather than a huge media hoax, it just seems to me that Schumacher was asked to step in by Ferrari and besides feeling an obligation also really wanted to.

His neck injuries were probably healing nicely, at least sufficiently for him to be able to race a bike in a no-account series (the Open Dutch Racing series for crying out loud). Apparently bike racing is less physically challenging as many riders still race despite featuring a multitude of broken bones and what not while in F1, drivers need to be in top condition.

I think his increased training regime for his return probably led to problems, especially the lengthy runs in a F2007. Perhaps the extreme demands on the neck which many people have said is the main problem when stepping in a F1 car. With the neck vertebrae already weakened, it might just have been too much.

Anyone feel any of these vibes aswell?

these vibes are loud and clear....

" That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula 1 yet. " YET.

What are the chances that if his neck isn't up to it YET, he might race later in the season, if it gets better?

Assuming Massa sits out the rest of the season, there are still 7 races left. Schumacher could have a few more weeks recovery time and still do the last 3 or 4 races perhaps?

I have just heard this and I must say I'm very disappointed. I feel as if we have all been conned. Maybe there was a genuine intention for MS to race but at the moment I just feel as if we have been taken for mugs. And not for the first time.

I was so looking forward to MS vs. Lewis. Oh well.

He simply felt he would become the biggest joke of the field this weekend, and ran like a dog with his tails in between his legs.

He bottled it all. But purely a Schumacher action in all never the less. Well done Michael!

The only thing that could make up for it is JV at Ferrari.

Less of the topless pics. K thx.

Correct me if im wrong but is this place not but a place for discussion? It was my opinion, and i was interested to know if any other people out there had a similar feeling? If you don't have a constructive post then simple, dont post.

My constructive post is to point out that I think you should take off the tinfoil hat.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned - some of the teams said, "No, he can't test this year's car. It's against the rules and we don't a precedent to be set." My feeling is that Ferrari was banking on the - understandable - sympathy that was evoked and - combined with Schumacher's CV - that, in this instance only, an exception would be made. It's possible that Willi Weber realized that the chances that all the teams would acquiesce were slim to none and, hence, his immediate dismissal of the thought that Schumacher would drive. With hindsight, it would have been smarter if Ferrari, before announcing that Schumacher was going to drive, had:
1) Determined if he was fit
2) Determined if all the teams were down with him testing this year's car

Less of the topless pics. K thx.

Jealous?

Jealous?

Not particularly.

I always hated the man and I still do but I will not believe for one second in that conspiracy theory. One fact that remains above all IMO is that even without having raced for years MS is still a much better driver than Badoer and Gene. It made perfect sense for Ferrari to ask him and try to get as much constructor championship point$$$$ as possible.

He tried, felt pain in his neck (sounds like a fair return after he's been one for so many years..........sorry....had to ), waited a while, checked with doctors and the turn out is that his injuries from February aren't completely healed yet. I don't see anything there that seems weird or unbelievable.

As for the race in Assen, it's entirely possible that he's fit for that type of race cars but not F1........just as it is a fact that I'm fit to drive my car but not a go-kart. I know it's a dumb comparison but the point is that there's a different between a "slow" race car and the 4 or 5+ G's that his neck would have to take in an F1.

Cospiracy theory #2: Flavio thinks that they will be able to race in Valencia and he needs a driver to replace Piquet so he calls Schumacher and says "Say your neck hurts then leave Ferrari. In the meatime we'll paint the car green, rebrand it Benetton and 3 days before the race we'll announce that you're driving it...........it will be just like good ol' times hey Mike..............whaddayousay ! "

Conspiracy theory #3: Bernie wants F1 to sell so he pulled a few strings and he's got a surprise for all of us. Fernando's gonna drive for Ferrari for the rest of the season while MS and JV will team up for Renault. If it turns out that MS and JV aren't fit to drive Bernie and Max will take their place under the condition that they find a way to put a phone book under Bernie's butt to allows him to see outside of the cockpit.

Sorry people............but there's no conspiracy here. Captain Tightpan is right......Ockham's Razor

Edited by Touti, 11 August 2009 - 11:37.

just as it is a fact that I'm fit to drive my car but not a go-kart.

And in fact he also did a go-kart race lately against other F1 racers, no prob's there. He knew the fact he wasn't going to win anything, would look like a fool and pulled back. Just to not loose face to much.

I think so! A rat……

Wait, I forgot my tinfoil hat! I'll brb...

He simply felt he would become the biggest joke of the field this weekend, and ran like a dog with his tails in between his legs.

He bottled it all. But purely a Schumacher action in all never the less. Well done Michael!

I think you are confusing this case with the "Jos-A1GP-Zandvoort" case, is it really so hard to believe he cannot race due to injury ?
It must be really exhausting to see a hidden agenda everywhere ....

gr.Jeroen

no

And in fact he also did a go-kart race lately against other F1 racers, no prob's there. He knew the fact he wasn't going to win anything, would look like a fool and pulled back. Just to not loose face to much.

I'm not sure I follow you but if you mean this was all staged from the beginning so he wouldn't lose face it doesn't make sense. If he didn't want to race for any reason all he had to do is say he's not interested in coming back or that he hasn't recovered from his neck injury. He wouldn't go through all that trouble and pull out at the end just to save face. Everybody knew from day 1 that he didn't have much chance of winning a race because the car isn't just there yet. Just because they looked good in the last race it doesn't mean that they fixed all their problems.

From a different angle, I don't know what the laws are in Europe but here in Canada, if there was serious reasons to believe that the whole thing was staged to boost ticket sales it could lead to an investigation and accusations because it would be illegal.

Edited by Touti, 11 August 2009 - 12:43.

In wakew of Schumacher's dramatic cancellation of his temporary ride with Ferrari, does anyone sense a feeling of foul play? Lots of people stod to gain from this, none mosat than Mr Bernie Ecclestone and if this was his creation he has pulled an absolute master stroke. With a cloud hanging over Renault's participation in the European GP, surely Bernie had to come up with something of a temporary fix, to boost the ticket sales further now that Alonso may not be able to participate?

Tickets for Spa sky rocketed with the decision to step in for Massa, and there is no get out clause for people who purchased their tickets even if they think there could be a chance, there were no guarantee's that Schumacher would be racing.

Also could the FIA have played a part in this little soap opera? The bad publicity they would be receiving should they decide to bar Renault from this race, a sense of "Its not all bad even if our hero isn't racing, we get to see one last race from arguably the greatest driver ever to grace Formula 1"

Also, Ferrari have had alot of publicity over the last couple of weeks since Schumacher's announcement, they were going through a bit of a 'quiet' period so to speak, basically, no one was talking about Ferrari anymore, like in 2005 when they were in their slump then.

Ontop of that, the Schumacher brand got a huge boost from all of this spotlightbeing on him lately.

Now people will probably criticize me for this post but seriously, one has to wonder? Something is just fishy about this whole thing, Weber saying first that Michael was 100% not coming back, then just last week in an interview saying he would be racing 100% no matter what, to this?

Its too strange for my liking.

Anyone feel any of these vibes aswell?

I think the return, come back return, just got out of control because Michael relished the challenge of coming back, maybe, just maybe there was a hint of alot of confidence and optimism that his bike crash injuries would not be a problem, for him it's a challenge, for us and the sporting world, it's one of the biggest sporting stories of recent times, I thinkthe mere idea of Michael wanting to come back to f1, even for standing in for Massa, completely was a U TURN on everything he's been saying over the years since his retirement. Forget about this season, or Michael even trying to get into shape for Spain, just the mere idea of Michael wanting to come back and help ferrari in a driver role was huge news, and given f1 hasn't been setting itself alright as a great spectacle recently with politics and teams qutting, it was great news, the idea of it was great news, and the press, and alot of the fans, I, and many more instantly believed in it, looking beyond Michael's 3 years away, his bike crash, for us, he's super human, but his injuries could be just the worst timing for himself and f1, I think his words "I am dissapointed to the core, " very important, this would of been ideal for him, a short spell, f1 needed it, he wanted to do it, but something totally unexpected stopping it, a neck injury, if it was any other driver, it could be accepted, but with Michael, you expect him to recover, in 10 years time he'll be 50, I think everyone is kinda by passing the man from the standards he set. In f1 he was invisable, off track, bike injury and ferrari advisor role, this may haunt him, haunt him enough to accept the situation or will he make his neck a priority for recovery and come back a another time.

"That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula 1 yet. "
Important the man used the word yet, he didn't say permanant injury, he wants to recover, and I think, in the coming months, september, october, november, december, january, could be enough time to start 2010 rumours, this could push Michael to coming back full time to prove something. Nobody expected him to come out of retirement, or try too, never say never vibe in his wording.

After all that recent training, it's gotta be a blow,maybe he'll live to drive and recover another day

Edited by SeanValen, 11 August 2009 - 13:02.

I think the return, come back return, just got out of control because Michael relished the challenge of coming back, maybe, just maybe there was a hint of alot of confidence and optimism that his bike crash injuries would not be a problem, for him it's a challenge, for us and the sporting world, it's one of the biggest sporting stories of recent times, I thinkthe mere idea of Michael wanting to come back to f1, even for standing in for Massa, completely was a U TURN on everything he's been saying over the years since his retirement. Forget about this season, or Michael even trying to get into shape for Spain, just the mere idea of Michael wanting to come back and help ferrari in a driver role was huge news, and given f1 hasn't been setting itself alright as a great spectacle recently with politics and teams qutting, it was great news, the idea of it was great news, and the press, and alot of the fans, I, and many more instantly believed in it, looking beyond Michael's 3 years away, his bike crash, for us, he's super human, but his injuries could be just the worst timing for himself and f1, I think his words "I am dissapointed to the core, " very important, this would of been ideal for him, a short spell, f1 needed it, he wanted to do it, but something totally unexpected stopping it, a neck injury, if it was any other driver, it could be accepted, but with Michael, you expect him to recover, in 10 years time he'll be 50, I think everyone is kinda by passing the man from the standards he set. In f1 he was invisable, off track, bike injury and ferrari advisor role, this may haunt him, haunt him enough to accept the situation or will he make his neck a priority for recovery and come back a another time.

"That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula 1 yet. "
Important the man used the word yet, he didn't say permanant injury, he wants to recover, and I think, in the coming months, september, october, november, december, january, could be enough time to start 2010 rumours, this could push Michael to coming back full time to prove something. Nobody expected him to come out of retirement, or try too, never say never vibe in his wording.

After all that recent training, it's gotta be a blow,maybe he'll live to drive and recover another day

please see othe thread, for why i think, due to his age and what happens to the disc material, the probability is that he will not ever return

Sean, I admire your optimism and desire to see your favorite driver back but chances are slim.

Then why bother going from






To

I'm not gay or anyhing, but.........

I am disappointed to say the least. He must have known about a neck fracture. They must have been more open and transparent to the public from the beginning. Don't say it's not true but it really smells.

Schumacher was seen to leave with a neck brace back in February. He downplayed it at that time, but then why would doctors give him a neck brace when he is perfectly fine? He might have thought it just hurts temporarlily, and doctors might have not properly diagnosed it the first time. However when the pain didn't went away, then they realized that there is a bigger issue. He isn't the first, and not the last to discover an extensive injury later on. Remember his brother in Indy? The doctors in the States didn't find anything wrong with Ralf's back. Only back in Europe they discovered a serious problem with the back after a second examination.

To me it's certainly not a lack of transparency, especially as the comeback hinged on this medical condition anyway. The first report I read on his planned comeback mentioned it, and it was obvious to me that it must be his neck injury. Right after Schumachers test with the F2007 reports surfaced in Switzerland that put a question mark on his comeback plans. So he tried, and has found confirmation, that the injury hasn't healed sufficiently yet.

The problem as always is expectations. There was a reason, why I as a MS fan, didn't post much after I heard of his comeback plans. Sometimes I wonder how many people get caught out with the fine print in contracts.

Wait, I forgot my tinfoil hat! I'll brb...

It's ok, Wewantourdarbyback has a spare;

And in fact he also did a go-kart race lately against other F1 racers, no prob's there. He knew the fact he wasn't going to win anything, would look like a fool and pulled back. Just to not loose face to much.

His most recent outing in a kart wasn't a race. They were just messing around.

Hardly comparable to doing a GP distance in an F1 car.

I smell a 'PR stunt' rat as well.

'Schumacher comes back'; the hoax of the year. Well fitting with Formula One's general state.

From a different angle, I don't know what the laws are in Europe but here in Canada, if there was serious reasons to believe that the whole thing was staged to boost ticket sales it could lead to an investigation and accusations because it would be illegal.

Oh sjees? Are you sure? Let's call the EU then, ... oh no, let's not. Of course they knew this from the start of this whole come-back story.

Apparently bike racing is less physically challenging as many riders still race despite featuring a multitude of broken bones and what not while in F1, drivers need to be in top condition.

Um. Wrong.

Bike racers race injured because they are . . . more likely to be injured.

While pilots need to be in top physical condition for both disciplines, and both are very physically demanding, bike racing gets the nod here. Those guys are moving and balancing a machine that weighs several hundred pounds with their bodies.

Carry on.