Media-savvy cycling a lesson to others

THE world's best cyclists are the most accessible and hospitable in the business. It is a mantra other sports can learn from.

THE world's best cyclists are the most accessible and hospitable in the business and they're here at the Santos Tour Down Under.

It is a mantra other sports can learn from.

The cyclists, sports directors and team owners have laid down blueprints on how to behave with media.

When one thinks that the peloton and messages are relayed globally with scribes, internet sites, TV and radio hanging off every word, the scope of their easy access is refreshing.

Most cyclists can be approached anytime outside of the race without any media fearing a "put in a written request'' before you ask questions, take photos or film these athletes.

This unwritten rule should be celebrated by the UCI because it certainly is not usually the norm among domestic national league men's sports in this country.

I have worked at major sporting events including FIFA World Cups and Olympic Games to find the more popular the athlete the easier it is to work with.

Unfortunately the lower down the scale one goes in professional sport the more difficult it becomes to have access.

They perhaps do not understand their own status in sport which is quite incredible.

Not all but some.

A name like Alessandro Del Piero who is based in Sydney playing for Sydney FC can open global doors to world wide coverage.

Adelaide United does also have some fine examples of men who command respect and reciprocate the feeling like Marcelo Carrusca, Eugene Galekovic, Cassio and Jeronimo Neumann.

The common attribute among this quartet is that these fellows have all played at the highest level across the world.

But sports clubs that think media is only out to ''get them" should take a look at the UCI World Tour peloton and how it conducts itself publicly.

Teams trust their cycling athletes and when there is a star attraction like BMC Racing's Cadel Evans, sensibility comes to the fore so most can reasonable gain access.

Walking among team cars and picking off talent to interview at random before the start of every race is not unique in cycling.

But the sport should rejoice in the fact.

No issues with access to BMC Racing's star attraction Cadel Evans (centre). Picture: Sarah Reed

Talking to nervous cyclists while they are waiting to start a race is just brilliant theatre.

At the end of the race media can also scramble and talk to the leaders, jersey winners and the star performers of the day.

Approaching a rider affected by a crash and having a conversation about the incident with no interventions is also unique.

Why? Because there is a mutual respect, there is a trust among the men and women.

Cycling can teach other sports that it's not us versus them.

So Australia's media managers and media teachers throw away your DVD copies of how not to behave with the media.

Get to the Tour Down Under and learn from the best.