Drafting Behind Motorcycles Out of Control?

[CQmanager]

Through out the Giro I have noticed the increased trend of drafting behind motorcycles. TV, police, news, photo or organizers motorbikes were too close to the peloton or breakaways providing draft benefits and today watching Pinotti drafting behind police bike that on several occasions was within just a few meters from the rider I just had to laugh.

Sure, Pinotti's win didnt mean much but either the motorbike driver was completely clueless about cycling or he was just doing his countryman a nice favor.

Whatever it was, it was just too much and even though the Giro was an awesome race, I believe TDF and other important races are doing better job of not providing any draft advantage to riders.

Everybody is talking about drafting behind cars after mechanicals but nobody really cares about the motorbikes at the front of the peloton providing draft benefits ...

Discuss

 

[Master50]

The Giro has on several occasions been accused of manipulating the race in favor of their countrymen.

 

[Afrank]

Did Taylor Phinney's lead vehicle intentionally lead him off course so a italian would Win? hmm...

 

[ElChingon]

The moto tactics have been in play for years! You just noticed?

There are countless moto tactics to aid riders and even hinder riders. It will never end as long as they are part of the race. Just like us they also have their favorite rider and like a kickback here and there like most people. Ever see a moto all of a sudden stop and park? (flash back to Amstel '99 or '00) Or blast off leaving the lead rider alone so they can't gauge the curves/terrain. The times they've aided are way too many to start mentioning as there are too many!

Even the caravan cars at the back factor in, especially for riders falling back, the smart riders make sure the coast is clear and hey free lift! You need to go watch and park your self in a secluded section of the race, its equivalent to the alley where you work. Especially on those brutal mountain stages. Only now with smartphones are we starting to have some of it filmed.

 

[Ripper]

I have wondered about this in a few races lately, where the motorbikes are awefully close to the riders. There is definitely a draft effect in some cases.

 

[Ripper]

The moto tactics have been in play for years! You just noticed?

There are countless moto tactics to aid riders and even hinder riders. It will never end as long as they are part of the race. Just like us they also have their favorite rider and like a kickback here and there like most people. Ever see a moto all of a sudden stop and park? (flash back to Amstel '99 or '00) Or blast off leaving the lead rider alone so they can't gauge the curves/terrain. The times they've aided are way too many to start mentioning as there are too many!

Even the caravan cars at the back factor in, especially for riders falling back, the smart riders make sure the coast is clear and hey free lift! You need to go watch and park your self in a secluded section of the race, its equivalent to the alley where you work. Especially on those brutal mountain stages. Only now with smartphones are we starting to have some of it filmed.

I just seems more obvious now.

 

[pugdog]

The French Eurosport commentators were laughing their heads off when Pinotti was doing his TT. The motorbike was helping him draft round every corner and even pointing out hazards on the road for him. Ridiculous. It really wouldn't be surprising if Taylor Phinney hadn't been deliberately guided off course.

 

[ElChingon]

I just seems more obvious now.

Nothing has changed man, the moto complaint/occurrence has been there since it was added to the race.

 

[marioni]

today watching Pinotti drafting behind police bike that on several occasions was within just a few meters from the rider I just had to laugh.

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who noticed this. I thought I was imagining things during the race, "why would the bike help him? I must be crazy..."

 

[CobbleStoner]

always been there, always will be there, especially in Italy.
just think if Cav would have taken out an Italian wearing the rainbow like Ferrari did, he would have been banned for life from the Giro. Ferrari is Italian riding for a popular Italian team so he gets relegated from what 5th, 6th? to last, BFD.
at least the moto drivers know exactly what they are doing in the Grand Tours, unlike say Korea

 

[ElChingon]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who noticed this. I thought I was imagining things during the race, "why would the bike help him? I must be crazy..."

Aghmm.. help the home country rider to give the local fans something to cheer about? This is probably the number one reason we have seen moto's helping riders. Also, the fact that there were no Italians on the podium will mean next year the Giro will be totally Italian biased (as in stages geared toward them). Also, don't expect one Italian to even help a non-Italian in a break or attack of somebody else at the expense of an Italian getting a win, whether it be a stage or the overall. This has been the motto for years! Not that I disagree with it.

 

[ElChingon]

always been there, always will be there, especially in Italy.
just think if Cav would have taken out an Italian wearing the rainbow like Ferrari did, he would have been banned for life from the Giro. Ferrari is Italian riding for a popular Italian team so he gets relegated from what 5th, 6th? to last, BFD.
at least the moto drivers know exactly what they are doing in the Grand Tours, unlike say Korea

+ 10 chars..

 

[euanli]

Did Taylor Phinney's lead vehicle intentionally lead him off course so a italian would Win? hmm...

Alternatively, should Phinney have been following the motorbike in the first place and should have he actually known the course?

 

[Archibald]

Also, don't expect one Italian to even help a non-Italian in a break or attack of somebody else at the expense of an Italian getting a win, whether it be a stage or the overall. This has been the motto for years!

I guess someone forgot to give Pippo the memo at Flanders this year

Alternatively, should Phinney have been following the motorbike in the first place and should have he actually known the course?

wondered that myself

 

[Four Winds]

Stephen Roche would put a stop to it, especially if you drafted with your top unzipped.

 

[T-Nielsen]

Something that bothers me, is when the TV - Motorcycle is right in front of the chasing peleton for km after km. Just laying there 2 meters in front dragging it.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

The French Eurosport commentators were laughing their heads off when Pinotti was doing his TT. The motorbike was helping him draft round every corner and even pointing out hazards on the road for him. Ridiculous. It really wouldn't be surprising if Taylor Phinney hadn't been deliberately guided off course.

the pinotti timetrial is one of the most ridiculous I´ve ever seen. at least since nio mattan weinning wevelgem. also basso was motorpaced the entire itt but he still sucked

 

[hrotha]

It's pretty embarrassing, really. I wonder who calls the shots, because I certainly can't picture the drivers deciding to draft certain riders around by themselves. Is it the race organizers? The TV broadcaster? Are they all working together in a mafia sanhedrin?

 

[BillytheKid]

Alternatively, should Phinney have been following the motorbike in the first place and should have he actually known the course?

Most have lead motos and there is a tendency to follow it to some degree. Yes, Phinney should have known the course completely to avoid such an error, but exhaustion can overcome at the end of a GT.

The moto is only briefly too close, often when cornering. If you not glued close to it, your probably getting more turbulence than any draft.

From the quote in the VeloNews story it sounds like he realized it right away. A moment of inattention, but like he said "stuff" happens. I think he will learn from it.

 

[ElChingon]

Something that bothers me, is when the TV - Motorcycle is right in front of the chasing peleton for km after km. Just laying there 2 meters in front dragging it.

Aghmm... you know they have zoom lens right?

 

[ElChingon]

It's pretty embarrassing, really. I wonder who calls the shots, because I certainly can't picture the drivers deciding to draft certain riders around by themselves. Is it the race organizers? The TV broadcaster? Are they all working together in a mafia sanhedrin?

Mafia, sshhhhh...

Can't wait to see the Belgium and French Mafia's , those moto's help their country men all the time.

 

[ulrichw]

the pinotti timetrial is one of the most ridiculous I´ve ever seen. at least since nio mattan weinning wevelgem. also basso was motorpaced the entire itt but he still sucked

When watching the time trial, I was wondering whether anyone else noticed that. There was just a brief comment from the British Eurosport commentator that "the police motorcyle likes Pinotti" or something like that.

Had to comment on your Basso comment, though: While his lead bike was also staying close, it seemed to me that Basso may have noticed and deliberately kept slightly to the side of the bike (where Pinotti consistently followed right in his lead bike's tracks). Of course Basso had little to lose, where Pinotti was riding for the stage win.

At least both Hesjedal and Rodriguez rode their TTs unaided.

 

[T-Nielsen]

Aghmm... you know they have zoom lens right?

Yes that is why it bothers me when the helicoptershots show them dangling just in front of the peleton... was that not what I said ?