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?

I think they probably justify it on the grounds that they are trying to create a look of “glamour” and “celebration” on the stage and the guy would look a bit sad and a muppet on the podium on his own. Something like that maybe? As I said, the women are in fairly normal clothing and look normal, but why not have a few fans up there to celebrate with whoever has won? What do these women have to do with it? They could make it a lottery? If I won a race, the last thing I’d want is two random men kissing me at the same time for a photo shoot. I’d be thinking, “Who the hell are you two?”

Cycling clothes are pretty nafftastic, no one looks glam in them, that's true. These women are models; I can't object to pretty models in cycling without objecting to them everywhere... which I kind of do, but also don't truly care. They're paid well for being young, pretty, well groomed. There are much more exploited ways to earn a crust.

why not have a few fans up there to celebrate with whoever has won?

too much hazard of spitting in face of Sky riders this year, sadly. :(

Having the Tour de France come through your village or town is a major event, apparently. So as there are several stage prizes and awards to be given out, selecting someone from the places the Tour has travelled through at the end of each stage would be much better. The cycling equivalent of 'grid kids'.