Wow, we have
that race and stage and people bicker for 5-6 pages about riders finishing outside the limit?
There needs to be a time limit, its not practical otherwise. They have lots of different scenarios for this as well. They can't plan for everything, which is why they are allowed to review it if necessary, which in this case it is.
As for punishment, they need a slap on the wrist, to discourage this happening frequently and what is the Gruppetto mostly made up of? Sprinters. So makes sense to knock off a certain amount of points.
Saying this only penalises Cavendish is rubbish. Organisers cant change the rules on a whim because only one person will be affected by it. They would have had this decided at the start of the tour. It tells those riders, especially the sprinters, if you want to go for this jersey you will have to prepare to ride within the limit and it the rider and their teams responsibility to do so. Is it 100% fair? Of course not but it best fits the scenario without being unfair or unbalanced. Maybe something like penalising team classification as well per rider could work in this case but still needs to be a punishment to discourage this.
Now some more comments about the actual race:
Cadel rode all but 1 rider from a group of around 30 on the hardest part of the Galibier, off his wheel.
Basso, who has a similar climbing style to Cadel rode well.
It shows that dancing away on pedals isn't the only way to climb succesfully.
Cadel just did what he never has done before: rode his own pace and within his limits, and he's been doing it all tour. He used to go into the red trying to follow wheels, and now he reversed roles with Contador.
If Cadel didn't ride into the red and rode an excellantly measured climb, then he should recover better than Andy.
Leopard have just found a super domestique and 2IC for Cancellara in next season's Classics.
If a Schleck wins the tour...they just double-bluffed Bjarne.
Agnel, Iziord, Galibier have spoken and have offered up their 2 candidates. Now Galibier will team up with Alpe d'Huez tomorrow and give their verdict...
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Lastly I wish to announce that I am the founding member of the CN Forum Pierre Roland Appreciation Club.
That guy is awesome!