Bicycling

"In a world where a footballer often goes down in a heap after the slightest of nudges"

I can't stand football but have you ever tried getting hit from any angle when you are full out sprinting? You will also be "going down in a heap".

What about fighters of all levels taking hits constantly but having the mental and physical endurance to keep going on?

Ultra runners who carry on despite breaks, sprains, blistering etc and that is usually for their own personal goals not a "contract"

This whole article smacks of "look how much better and more resilient we are than other sports" energy.

Every sport has injuries that happen and consequent shows of both mental and physical fortitude from the athletes participating if you want to get into a dick swinging contest, cyclists aren't the only ones that push through those kinds of things.

They do have to show massive patience to put up with an absolutely petty and pathetic governing body though.

For an actual TLDR, it comes down to: If you finish your race regardless of whatever injury, your chances of being offered a contract next year is much higher. AND Team Management culture is very hard to change. Only very recently have they started accepting concussions as a severe injury.

Because they have to see their tortured bodies every day in the mirror

bicycles are inanimate objects made mostly of metal, so they can’t feel anything

saved you a click