2017 Tour de France

[Bub Marley]

 

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. GC you have to excel at climbing and timetrialling. If you can climb but not that great TT, you'll finish high up but you'll never win and vice versa. Froome is a fantastic timetriallist and he can stick with the best on the toughest climbs.

 

2. Its some unwritten rule in cycling. I think it's a load of bull and lots riders take advantage of it. I personally think it should be scrapped. In Le Tour, the rider wearing yellow can descend poorly, overshoot a turn and the peleton still waits for him. Ridiculous really.

 

3. Again, its the unwritten rule of Le Tour and again I think its stupid. If the tour is 21 stages, then why should you only race for 20? Absolutely stupid. I'd rather see a proper race than watch riders sip champagne for 50km. 

 

4. The Vuelta always produces the most mountain stages year in year out so for me its the toughest.

[Fat Boab]

I ride leather straps and prefer lederhosen above bib shorts. 

 

Good come back!

[NelAndre]

1. GC you have to excel at climbing and timetrialling. If you can climb but not that great TT, you'll finish high up but you'll never win and vice versa. Froome is a fantastic timetriallist and he can stick with the best on the toughest climbs.

 

2. Its some unwritten rule in cycling. I think it's a load of bull and lots riders take advantage of it. I personally think it should be scrapped. In Le Tour, the rider wearing yellow can descend poorly, overshoot a turn and the peleton still waits for him. Ridiculous really.

 

3. Again, its the unwritten rule of Le Tour and again I think its stupid. If the tour is 21 stages, then why should you only race for 20? Absolutely stupid. I'd rather see a proper race than watch riders sip champagne for 50km. 

 

4. The Vuelta always produces the most mountain stages year in year out so for me its the toughest.

Thanks for the feedback.