Cobbled Carnage: If a team leader goes down, should the others take advantage?

[red_flanders]

Okay, maybe there isn’t much debate about this but I wonder how folks think it should be handled if a designated team leader goes down on the cobbles tomorrow?

Personally I think the race is the race, and while it introduces some randomness, the cobbles are a known obstacle and teams should have prepped hard for this stage and taken it into account when selecting their team. There is random chance all throughout the race.

I like riders who can race in all kinds of terrain and situations. Riders who can ride echelons, descend well, attack in odd places as well as ride well in the mountains and TT’s. Looking forward to seeing who can split the race. Wrecks or not, it’s damage will be done tomorrow.

What say you?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

It would be a disaster for the sport if this stage isn't raced 100% regardless of who goes down.

 

[Vino's Mum]

Hells yeah. As soon as they get to about Roubaix, the race is on.

 

[sir fly]

Yes.
That's the difficulty that cobbles bring.

 

[BeagRigh]

Racing from km zero to the end!

I don't think this is going to be a very long thread

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Hinault option.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Armstrong because Frank and Andy aren't cool

 

[Vino's Mum]

Hinault option should include getting frostbite, stopping for a punch up with some striking dockworkers, then being brought down by a dog... and still win.

 

[red_flanders]

Hinault option should include getting frostbite, stopping for a punch up with some striking dockworkers, then being brought down by a dog... and still win.

No argument.

 

[Escarabajo]

Hinault option. Don't need to attack.

I don't think it is taking advantage like any other flat stage, because if X rider falls and Y rider just follow wheels then Y rider is going to make the diffrence without attacking anyway.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Hinault option.

Depends on the context a bit though. But if they were racing they should continue racing no matter who falls. Especially on a cobble stage.

 

[Miburo]

Trust me, no one is gonna wait as it should be. On the cobbles it's just an all out war.

 

[BYOP88]

"As long as I breathe, I attack" option for me.

 

[Afrank]

It's cobbles. Race is on, no waiting, no easy riding, just all out racing in its truest form.

Expect crashes, expext gaps, expect no mercy.

 

[jens_attacks]

well they choosed the route so that's it. they have to race of course.

 

[Carols]

Hinault option. It's a race not a tea party!!!!

 

[Hayabusa]

If someone crashes as part of normal racing/their own mistake then yes without doubt the riders should continue.

If someone crashes because some idiot decides to take a selfie in the middle of the road or unleashes their pets onto the race then no, I think that would be unsporting.

 

[Escarabajo]

If someone crashes as part of normal racing/their own mistake then yes without doubt the riders should continue.

If someone crashes because some idiot decides to take a selfie in the middle of the road or unleashes their pets onto the race then no, I think that would be unsporting.

So they should wait for the investigation while they pedal???

 

[Fight.The.Power]

It's cobbles. Race is on, no waiting, no easy riding, just all out racing in its truest form.

Expect crashes, expext gaps, expect no mercy.

This 10 char

 

[Lanark]

Nobody will wait. There's little reason to wait for fallen opponents in most situations, and certainly not in this stage. Everyone will want to be at the front, it will be mayhem with all teams trying to get their leader at the front at every sector, it's impossible to wait at that point.

 

[Hayabusa]

So they should wait for the investigation while they pedal???

They'll know when racing if something like the two options I put forward happened. Sadly I think at least one person will be taken out by an idiot with a camera.

If someone in a chase group behind the leaders does get taken out by a camera wielding nutcase or a dog then they shouldn't wait, but if they were in the same group then I believe they should, just my opinion though!

 

[Richeypen]

Crashes, punctures and mechanicals are all part of what makes cobbled races so great to watch. Could you imagine P-R if people waited for each other!!! If a leader goes down its up to his team to work to get him back to the pack, if the pack happens to be going full pelt then tough.

There should be several cobbled stages in each years Tour, adds a whole new dynamic and skills to the party.

 

[myrideissteelerthanyours]

"I've already been asked if I'll ask for the stage to be neutralised" -Fab

So if Canc doesn't feel good he will just take all his toys and go home and there is nothing anybody can do about it. This ensures without a doubt nobody will finish ahead of him. Gosh I really regret electing this guy god-emperor of safety but what can you do now?

 

[SeriousSam]

Absolutely. The entire point of including such a stage, from a GC perspective, is to have something other than MTF and TT to allow GC contenders to compete against each other.

It also allows yet another type of rider to claim a tour stage. It might even motivate Tour only fans to take an interest in the cobbled classics.

I'm going to be bitterly disappointed if this stage won't be raced, both for GC and the stage.

 

[Warhawk]

"I've already been asked if I'll ask for the stage to be neutralised" -Fab

So if Canc doesn't feel good he will just take all his toys and go home and there is nothing anybody can do about it. This ensures without a doubt nobody will finish ahead of him. Gosh I really regret electing this guy god-emperor of safety but what can you do now?

Jumping to conclusions a bit there?