We don't often get the chance to see the very early stages of races: a couple of questions come to mind.
In these first two stages, the break went immediately the flag dropped, yet there was little evident jostling for position in the neutralised zone. Is there some sort of negotiation before they line up? Do the riders who fancy the immediate break queue up first on the start line? Or is it pure opportunism: "Oh look! I'm near the front, may as well go for it!"
They seem to take "natural breaks" very early on. I can sympathise with the need, and it is obvious that they can't stop for it in the serious later stages. But many riders were stopping after half an hour or so: how long are they away from their buses before the race starts?
In these first two stages, the break went immediately the flag dropped, yet there was little evident jostling for position in the neutralised zone. Is there some sort of negotiation before they line up? Do the riders who fancy the immediate break queue up first on the start line? Or is it pure opportunism: "Oh look! I'm near the front, may as well go for it!"
They seem to take "natural breaks" very early on. I can sympathise with the need, and it is obvious that they can't stop for it in the serious later stages. But many riders were stopping after half an hour or so: how long are they away from their buses before the race starts?