French use sour grapes for GB whine-making
FRANCE has not exactly covered itself in glory in its somewhat peevish reaction to Great Britain’s utter domination of track cycling at London 2012 – and it seems they just won’t let it go.
First came suggestions from crestfallen French cycling chiefs that the success of Sir Chris Hoy and Co could be down to “magic wheels” which were suspiciously hidden away after races.
Undeterred by the mockery that provoked on this side of the Channel, respected French sports newspaper L’Equipe yesterday asked readers whether Team GB’s heroics were tainted. Of the tens of thousands who responded, some 70 per cent responded “oui.”
Particularly galling was Jason Kenny’s victory over Gregory Bauge in the men’s sprint final. Bauge bettered Kenny earlier this year to regain his world title but found himself trailing in London. Clearly cheesed off, Bauge raised eyebrows in the post-race media conference when he interrogated Kenny about the reasons behind Team GB’s dominance.
Whatever happened to the Gallic shrug and their famed air of indifference?