Cycling fans stress out

New research indicates that cycling fans are among the most stressed supporters.

The excitement surrounding the unveiling of next year's Tour de France route will have been tinged with apprehension for some, according to new research funded by betting.co.uk. For cycling fans were among the top five sports enthusiasts who experienced the highest levels of stress during important races, the report said.

Did that reflect our VeloCitizens' experience? "I only get stressed during the Grand Tours," said cycling fan and senior consultant at Inner Circle Consulting, Adam Westbury. "And only when it's close - when cycling is neck and neck and it's winner takes all, it adds stress. A good example of high stress was Sepp Kuss in the Vuelta - you wanted him to win so badly. But all sport is like that, if you're passionate about it. Maybe cycling is more niche than other sports so there are fewer fans, but they watch more avidly?"

Or perhaps it's the sheer physical danger of cyclesport that grips its fans? "I’m not so sure," argued SLR Consulting global director of transport Mike Axon. "I remember seeing something on Top Gear once, where people were far more interested in someone opening a cardboard box than an extreme sportsperson doing something dangerous. 

"I wonder if it’s because bike events tend to be long-duration events? We see the gladiators burning through a plethora of extreme racing conditions and discrete events, putting everything into attacks, defense, etc. We’re invested in the pain and, as time goes on, we’re increasingly afraid that it’ll all come to nothing. Are we more stressed if we’ve seen the plucky breakaway, which has been out there for five hours, being gradually reeled in by the peloton, only to be caught 500m from the line, maybe?"