Paying rival rider's off

[Chuffy]

that is certainly not the case all the time.

often there is a gentleman's agreement where a designated winner will agree to give helpers a financial incentive to contribute to his win.

I'dadd that it likely happens in all sports where there is only one 'winner'.

In billiards, it is called a 'saver'.

I wasn't arguing that it should be stopped, in cycling at least. I was merely pointing out that what is regarded as cheating in one sport is 'normal' in another.

 

[Sanitiser]

To me the favours thing is just a good game of tactics and politicking but the thought of money exchanging hands is cheating.