NelAndre Posted July 24, 2017 Posted July 24, 2017 I have some newbie questions about "Le Tour". Only followed the Tour the last 3 years or so and I enjoyed it immensely. It is a fantastic event to follow, from the drop of the white flag to the chaos of the finish it kept me spellbound. However I do wonder about the following: 1) What makes a GC contender, as opposed to a points/jersey winner? Is the GC contenders the best overall cyclist and do they finish closest to 1st everyday?2) Why do you not attack the leader when they have a mechanical? Is a mechanical not just part and parcel of cycling?3) Why is the last stage not also used to try and win the race?4) Is "Le Tour" the toughest of the Grand Tours?
Sepia Posted July 24, 2017 Posted July 24, 2017 Hub folk, I would like to say thanks for the great convo's in this post during the Tour was Kiff.Yes, thank you all. Really good to hear the insights and follow up. Special mention to Bonus.
The Bull Shark Posted July 24, 2017 Posted July 24, 2017 I have some newbie questions about "Le Tour". Only followed the Tour the last 3 years or so and I enjoyed it immensely. It is a fantastic event to follow, from the drop of the white flag to the chaos of the finish it kept me spellbound. However I do wonder about the following: 1) What makes a GC contender, as opposed to a points/jersey winner? Is the GC contenders the best overall cyclist and do they finish closest to 1st everyday?2) Why do you not attack the leader when they have a mechanical? Is a mechanical not just part and parcel of cycling?3) Why is the last stage not also used to try and win the race?4) Is "Le Tour" the toughest of the Grand Tours? On point (4). I personally feel La Vuelta is the toughest of the GTs. The climbs are tougher, and it is generally hotter. According to moi.
The Crazy German Posted July 24, 2017 Posted July 24, 2017 Maybe its the same guys who make the decisions on rider penalties during the TDF?Nope that's an international jury. The combativity is 5 frenchies ans Greg Lemond. The UCI jury has quite some frenchies as they are closer by but the top spots are often not French. In the past it was often Martin Bruin who said he would also have kicked Sagan home and would have relegated home boy Demare. This year the number two spot went to a spaniard and the top spot was held by a belgian(very capable guy)(might be biased as I had quite a few drinks paid by him and his mates and coleagues back in the days) edit There where two ladies as well of which one Italian edit end
splat Posted July 24, 2017 Posted July 24, 2017 Hub folk, I would like to say thanks for the great convo's in this post during the Tour was Kiff.It was great having you back again
Butterbean Posted July 24, 2017 Posted July 24, 2017 I have some newbie questions about "Le Tour". Only followed the Tour the last 3 years or so and I enjoyed it immensely. It is a fantastic event to follow, from the drop of the white flag to the chaos of the finish it kept me spellbound. However I do wonder about the following: 1) What makes a GC contender, as opposed to a points/jersey winner? Is the GC contenders the best overall cyclist and do they finish closest to 1st everyday?2) Why do you not attack the leader when they have a mechanical? Is a mechanical not just part and parcel of cycling?3) Why is the last stage not also used to try and win the race?4) Is "Le Tour" the toughest of the Grand Tours?1) depends on the terrain, but since most Grand Tours include some serious climbing stages, you're most likely to gain major time on the climbs. Even if there's a flat stage with wind to cause breaks and time gaps, it can be quickly made up in the mountains. So, it seems that if you're a climbers that can TT, you're sorted for a GC contention place. 2) and 3) the unwritten rules of sportsmanship, and celebration. You don't attack the Yellow jersey due to mechanical as a mechanical is basically an unforseen circumstance. Crash? Your fault. Lose a wheel? Your fault. But mechanical will always be debated as who's fault? It's just not cricket to attack the malliot Jeune when the bikes makes him stop. Same unspoken rule for last stage. If you haven't beaten him by stage 20, you lost and you need to cede. The last stage is a always a nice slow celebratory ride through to Paris and the sprinters get let loose to fight it out. Seems the sprint jersey is almost contestable, but will need a very close points race to need that. GC guys just hang on and stay in position out of respect. 4) I think Vuelta often has a tougher route, but since the teams seem to always bring their biggest guns to Le Tour, I think it shows the best teams and riders. They're on show as it's the race with the biggest viewership, biggest non cyclists viewership, and most notoriety. Vuelta was always the race that you could dope to the gills as the Spanish weren't too bothered about that whole dope malarchy, so they would go all out. I think that's still on most people's minds with the Vuelta so the Tour has to definitely be the most important race in which to perform. So, in summary, Vuelta probably has the tougher route, but Tour is tougher overall.
nathrix Posted July 24, 2017 Posted July 24, 2017 How much do you think a signed (not even washed, looking at framing it) Chris Froome original Barloworld cycling jersey (not many of them around if any signed by CF) is worth after his 4th TDF win and should i hold onto it in the event of a 5th win which should make it worth even more?
Patchelicious Posted July 24, 2017 Posted July 24, 2017 Nope that's an international jury. The combativity is 5 frenchies ans Greg Lemond. The UCI jury has quite some frenchies as they are closer by but the top spots are often not French. In the past it was often Martin Bruin who said he would also have kicked Sagan home and would have relegated home boy Demare. This year the number two spot went to a spaniard and the top spot was held by a belgian(very capable guy)(might be biased as I had quite a few drinks paid by him and his mates and coleagues back in the days) edit There where two ladies as well of which one Italian edit endSo it's true, ze Germans don't have a sense of humor?
Pah Bear Posted July 24, 2017 Posted July 24, 2017 So it's true, ze Germans don't have a sense of humor?Not true. Ze Germans have a penchant for funny mustaches, ja!
seanp Posted July 24, 2017 Posted July 24, 2017 Gonna miss you guys . . . . :-( Don't go get all mushy on us now, please. Lol.We'll be giving you a hard time soon enough about your team's performance at the Vuelta . Many thanks for sharing the pics and videos, and giving us a "on the ground view".
Patchelicious Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 This is starting to feel like a club at 3am when the lights are being turned on. I'm outa here, before I take one of you ugly mofos home and end up regretting it more than Quintana regrets pitching at the Tour.
The Crazy German Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 So it's true, ze Germans don't have a sense of humor?I not amme Zerman I just speek with a Zerman acent
seanp Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 This is starting to feel like a club at 3am when the lights are being turned on.I'm outa here, before I take one of you ugly mofos home and end up regretting it more than Quintana regrets pitching at the Tour.Gonna miss you too, Patch. See you in 3,5 weeks
Fat Boab Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 I not amme Zerman I just speek with a Zerman acent Test: when you clip in your pedals, how many clicks?
Erroli8a8 Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 How much do you think a signed (not even washed, looking at framing it) Chris Froome original Barloworld cycling jersey (not many of them around if any signed by CF) is worth after his 4th TDF win and should i hold onto it in the event of a 5th win which should make it worth even more? I think that Cycle Lab would make you a nice offer.I think that it would fetch a nice penny.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.