What is the point of “podium girls” in cycling?

[1ndig0]

DH is one of the millions of cycling-obsessed 40-something men who have transformed the roads of SW London into a sea of lycra. We are currently being subjected to the Tour de France. I was just commenting on the “podium girls” in the yellow dresses and wondering what the point of their role is? I wonder how much they get paid and if they even give a hoot about cycling? They just seem to hold flowers and clap whoever has won a “stage” that day and that’s it. DH said they are promoting an image and “these days you can tell they must know their own minds because they’re not in bikinis.”

I’m sure they do know their own minds , but AIBU to wonder why they are there at all? Such women are not necessary in football or rugby or the Olympics. Why cycling?

it's panache & style & tradition and French Vive la difference!

I think there are now podium fellas in the women's French events (?)

Because men need something to look at... it’s ruin the sport if they were taken away... 🙄

There is no point to them, they serve no purpose 🤷🏻‍♀️

It’s absolute bullshit and it’s just as bad that there isn’t a proper female Tour de France, just a shitty half stage. But I still bloody love it 😳

It's like the walk on girls in some snooker and darts events. I hate it, so unneccessary.

I personally find the waste of good champagne more objectionable.

The women don’t bother me as such. I was just wondering why they appear in some male sports and not others - eg. football, which you could argue has a more sexist culture than cycling?

Drives me up the wall. So outdated and shit.

There is no point. But they don't bother me in the slightest.

Because the Very Important Man's and their Very Important chipolatas Penises deserve it?

As a massive F1 fan - YANBU.

Well, the ones marching about in their knickers holding the round cards up at boxing are very important - how else would we know what round it is? And the ones grinning inanely in the backgrounds to the weigh ins? Well - massively important too because ...

YANBU OP

Surely they are there because they want to be there.

Presumably the cyclists wouldn't stop racing if there are no podium girls. I'm guessing the fans who watch hours of racing without podium girls in evidence would continue to do so if the girls were not part of the end show.

It's nothing to do with the sport. It's just models and the modelling industry managing to keep a money-spinner going.

Arrrrgh! Hate it.

Presumably they are still there because a small number of dinosaur men with power want it.

I've followed cycling since I was 11 and honestly the podium girls at the TDF don't bother me - I think they look very chic and stylish. Interestingly the ones at the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) wear less and it's a lot more tits and ass so I wonder if Spain has a more chauvinist culture. I have seen podium boys at a womens' one day race and it cheered me no end!

To remind you of the dominance of the patriarchy or sponsorship exposure or summat.

GummyBear

You are overlooking the fact that it takes more than men to have them there. The women can always decline the job. Plenty models pick and choose based upon principles.

Because men do the important stuff and women decorate it. Surely you know that?

The Vuelta no longer has them. A number of other races have ended the practice as well.

Apparently they do a lot more than presenting prizes as the job involves acting as a host throughout the day for the corporate sponsors.

Easy money?

It's nice getting paid to stand around looking pretty when you choose to and don't wear anything demeaning.

I worked in cycling and can assure you it's because they're dinosaurs.

You should check out the Indian Premier League (cricket) cheerleaders. Vile sexism, with a side order of racism as well:

www.msn.com/en-in/sports/cricket/confessions-corner-the-untold-story-of-an-ipl-cheerleader/ar-BBzfeZs

OP they don't have them in football as they have been trying for decades to make football a family sport to decrease hooliganism. This is one of the reasons they have little kids walking out the teams from the tunnel.

They basically seem to have them in any sport e.g. cycling, formula one which they think women and kids aren't that interested in.

I've been a keen cycling fan for decades. The podium women are a load of nonsense. I wish they'd get rid of them.

I'm a huge cycling fan and I love the Grand tours. The podium girls really irritate me though - I just don't see the point other than eye candy for male fans. It's outdated and they should really stop doing it now.

I work with the mother of a F1 Grid Girl. She is seen as the success of the family whilst her qualified electrician brother is completely sidelined.
The daughter does look lovely in a tiny top and rara skirt but that's not going to be much use to her in 5-10 years time, and she's not the brightest light on the Christmas tree. I think Mother is hoping she's going to marry a racing driver but suspect that she and daughter would both be happy with any rich bloke.