Willehond Posted May 20, 2011 Share Have the first two weeks all mountains, but like brutal, vertical stuff, then a TTT that all nine riders in a team have to complete, then a week of flat stages. That is probably the worst idea you've ever come up with (and you've had some stinkers! ;-) The whole idea of the GC fight is that it is a war of attrition and the survivors fight it out in the last week/stages. This way the GC fight would be determined in the first two weeks and then everyone would switch off because some B-rate sprinters are duelling it out in the last week. I'm not buying it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willehond Posted May 20, 2011 Share The one thing the Giro has proven this year is that shorter stages over rolling hills/short sharp climbs is what cycling needs and riders like. Give us more of that and exciting riders will rewarded rather than the wheelsucking sprinter primadonnas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Low Posted May 20, 2011 Share Is it fair ........... As Whitney would tell you - "its not right but its ok". Cavendish is a legend, lets see him winning sprints. Loads and loads. What's the point of having a Ferrari and using it to plough a field? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT1 Posted May 20, 2011 Share That is probably the worst idea you've ever come up with (and you've had some stinkers! ;-) Relax wildman, I just thought I'd add an idea as stupid as what swissman is suggesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grebel Posted May 20, 2011 Share Use the Comrades as an example. There is prize money for hitting halfway first but you have to finish to collect it. Same should apply for all tours. You can get your prize money at the end when you finish the last stage. If you pull out when the sprint stages are over, you forfeit your points and prize money. If you put the climbing stages first, the climbers will pull out and let the sprinters fight it out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Dale Posted May 20, 2011 Share Swissvan, I gotcha point.And, I guess, it is a team management decision ultimately. It does not seem fair. And it it complies with the rules... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Potter Posted May 20, 2011 Share They are professional riders, with a whole season (and career) to consider. It has been shown again in this Giro what risks are run by all riders every day they compete. As a sprinter in the team your role is not to get high up in the GC, it is to win stages. As a team manager I would be pulling my sprinters out now too, to ensure that they stand the best chance of winning further stages (and money) for the team in the next race. The domestiques need to stay in and last the course to support the team's GC contenders - not the sprinters.And what about the climbers? They ride flat stages that will also drain them from strength? and the possability for injury during a flat stage is good. The sprinters should stay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwissVan Posted May 20, 2011 Share Swissvan, I gotcha point.And, I guess, it is a team management decision ultimately. It does not seem fair. And it it complies with the rules... Rules exactly, road cycling is sick to the core rulebook. Just because thats the way its done and is allowed in the rules durrent make it RIGHT! I enjoy watching the sprinters just as much as everyone else, but hell if i was fortunate enough to be in the peleton in one of the biggest road races in the world I would be miffed knowing that some fat legged speed freak was going to get paid (and make a noise about it), get his face all over the news etc.... for winning a stage in a race he does plan on finishing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT1 Posted May 20, 2011 Share if i was fortunate enough to be in the peleton in one of the biggest road races in the world I would be miffed knowing that some fat legged speed freak was going to get paid (and make a noise about it), get his face all over the news etc.... for winning a stage in a race he does plan on finishing. But you're not, so why not let the pro's in the peleton do what they do, and you can watch or turn it off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwissVan Posted May 20, 2011 Share Relax wildman, I just thought I'd add an idea as stupid as what swissman is suggesting. Why is it stupid? Sprinters might complain that climbing all those mountains will slow them down, then they should stick to track or something with less climbing. Riders will still compete for the win and I'm sure the sprinting will be just as good if all the posers are watching from the side lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonder Woman Posted May 20, 2011 Share Here's another idea, why not have different races for the sprinters and climbers. The sprinters do a tour of flat stages and sprint finishers and the climbers do a tour of the mountains.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banna Posted May 20, 2011 Share Jeesh I'm glad I'm a mtbiker. We don't have this kind of sh!t to worry about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny K Posted May 20, 2011 Share Have the first two weeks all mountains, but like brutal, vertical stuff, then a TTT that all nine riders in a team have to complete, then a week of flat stages. Is that like a Township Time Trial? :clap: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I-FELT-the-FORCE Posted May 20, 2011 Share Is that like a Township Time Trial? :clap: Now THAT would be something to watch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny K Posted May 20, 2011 Share IMO I see both sides to the story. On one hand, once the sprinter stages are done, they don't need to ride further. On the other hand, what's the point? You join a tour to ride a few stages and them wimp out because you are a weakling when it comes to a hill. I reckon if this is the case, you might as well do an event like someone else suggested - have the race with a min limit to team members participating. so a team of 20 must have at least 10 members participating in each stage. The domestique's would most likely be the only guys doing the entire race but then at least the sprinters can do their stages and the climbers can do theirs. Domestique's would race for overall win eventually. Climbers can go for hilly stages win and sprinters for flat stages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willehond Posted May 20, 2011 Share Relax wildman, I just thought I'd add an idea as stupid as what swissman is suggesting. Hey, it's Friday, it can't get more relaxed where I am. (Cofee's great too!). Just thought I'd throw a stone into the bush and see if a yelping cat jumps out. Glad to see my aim is still true! Anyway, I read a great piece from Tim Krabbe (the guy who wrote the great "The rider") where he says that sprinters are despised in the peloton for having a natural, unearned talent that is only needed for 500 metres at the end of a ride. Luckily sprinters are usually arrogant, self-serving individuals who couldn't give a hoot what the rest of the peloton or us "internet guru's" think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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