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

[Eyeballs Out]

Crashes / mechanicals shouldn't change anything. If you're racing, carry on racing. If you're not racing, carry on not racing. Not sure what option that is on the poll

 

[Arredondo]

Hinault always says sensible things. Today is no exception.

 

[willbick]

I think there's a growing appreciation that the GC should be won by the best rider, not just the best climber. The best climber should win the polka dot, not neccesarily the GC. I agree there should be cobble stages every tour, and less MTFs

 

[mrhender]

I think there's a growing appreciation that the GC should be won by the best rider, not just the best climber. The best climber should win the polka dot, not neccesarily the GC. I agree there should be cobble stages every tour, and less MTFs

In 5 years or so, they should include a ITT on cobblestones, and/or maybe a 120 km TTT over flat parts, as well as serious mountains..

Everything is possible, the more diversity -The more excitement...

In later years Prudhomme has had the courage to do minor changes.
I hope it will accumulate over the next years...

 

[King Boonen]

Fairly conclusive poll...

Bury the fu*kers.

 

[red_flanders]

No doubt. Wondering if I should close it. Also wondering why I even asked.

 

[icefire]

Hinault always says sensible things. Today is no exception.

Yep. I liked his sensible words in 1981 better: Paris-Roubaix est une connerie

 

[red_flanders]

Yep. I liked his sensible words in 1981 better: Paris-Roubaix est une connerie

What did he say today?

 

[LaFlorecita]

I think there's a growing appreciation that the GC should be won by the best rider, not just the best climber. The best climber should win the polka dot, not neccesarily the GC. I agree there should be cobble stages every tour, and less MTFs

Correction, best allround rider, not best rider.

 

[Eclipse]

"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?

How about you share the whole quote rather than cherry picking half a sentence to make a stupid argument

"I've already been asked if I'll ask for the stage to be neutralised if it rains but this is different. I know that it’s not a nice stage for Froome, Contador, Nibali and even our GC riders. But my reply is: so why not take out the climbs to make it easier for us? That never happens, so it's only right we race on the cobbles. It’s a risk for everyone, including me, but we've got to live with it and calculate the risks involved."

---

I am very much hoping for war.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I think there's a growing appreciation that the GC should be won by the (all round) best rider, not just the best climber. The best climber should win the polka dot, not neccesarily the GC. I agree there should be cobble stages every tour, and less MTFs

Pretty much agree, though I do like MTF's. Not only should there be at least some cobbles every year, I also would like to see a Tour like years gone by with a few very long TT's. I believe one of the years Mig won there was over 200km of total TT distances.

I voted for the Vino option for fun, but obviously the Hinault option is the real answer. This is a race, not a charity ride. If someone crashes or flats on the regular road while nothing is going on, sure wait. But if they can't handle the cobbles, bury them!

 

[go crazy]

Best poll options EVAR!

Edit: I voted for VINO ATTACKS!

 

[red_flanders]

Pretty much agree, though I do like MTF's. Not only should there be at least some cobbles every year, I also would like to see a Tour like years gone by with a few very long TT's. I believe one of the years Mig won there was over 200km of total TT distances.

I voted for the Vino option for fun, but obviously the Hinault option is the real answer. This is a race, not a charity ride. If someone crashes or flats on the regular road while nothing is going on, sure wait. But if they can't handle the cobbles, bury them!

I'm with you on that. I loved the long TT's in the 80's made for larger, strong men winning. Hinault, Lemond, Delgado, Fignon.

Enough of these waifs.

 

[red_flanders]

Best poll options EVAR!

Edit: I voted for VINO ATTACKS!

Like button goes here.

 

[Race Radio]

Some of the teams are pooling resources for tomorrow. Astana, AG2R, and Cannondale are pooling their support cars and staff tomorrow to insure all sectors are have staff and wheels.

 

[Netserk]

I'm with you on that. I loved the long TT's in the 80's made for larger, strong men winning. Hinault, Lemond, Delgado, Fignon.

Enough of these waifs.

The last time the Tour had more than 120km of ITT Rasmussen of all people was about to win it, instead the second best climber Contador won that Tour, and that had only 3 MTFs...

 

[ILovecycling]

If we want a proper battle tomorrow,then 1st option

 

[red_flanders]

The last time the Tour had more than 120km of ITT Rasmussen of all people was about to win it, instead the second best climber Contador won that Tour, and that had only 3 MTFs...

Blood bags will do that.

 

[SafeBet]

Is this the most lopsided poll in forum history?
Can't say I was expecting these results.

 

[Netserk]

Blood bags will do that.

Because the TTers Evans and Levi didn't benefit from that as well???

 

[red_flanders]

Because the TTers Evans and Levi didn't benefit from that as well???

Not looking to argue, there are reason that happened. Main point is that over time, you will (on average) get a different type of rider if you increase the # of TT miles and decrease the MTF's.

 

[Netserk]

Not looking to argue, there are reason that happened. Main point is that over time, you will (on average) get a different type of rider if you increase the # of TT miles and decrease the MTF's.

And the racing tactics too. Just see how the best TTer, not climber, won the most mountainous edition of the Tour three years ago.

 

[Parker]

Cobbles should be no different from any other stage. Race exactly as you would if there hadn't been a crash. Don't wait, don't attack, unless that's what you would have done anyway.

 

[Bushman]

They shouldn't wait for anybody, but it depends on the situation. I dont like it if a team goes to the front right after a leader has fallen with the purpose of distancing him. But if a team attacks (in the crosswind or on the cobbles or whatever) and a leader goes down or has a mechanical afterwards it's a shame but they shouldn't wait.

 

[Taxus4a]

I didnt answered the poll becouse my opinion is not there.
If the race is launched, you cant wait, al least if you have launched the race and for that reason a rider crash...it is part of the cycling...
Tomorrow the race will be launched from far, so there is no way to wait... but if nobody is putting the hammer down, and someone has bad luck, they should wait.

In fact, is the same opinion than the previous one...and it is what in the peloton is a rule not writted.