Poll on when to wait for the leader in a GT

[fiddlers25]

There seems to be a wide variety of opinion on this, let's take a poll. You can select multiple cases.

 

[Netserk]

You've missed the "Never" option.

Unless the race is officially neutralized, it is always okay to race.

 

[SlickMongoose]

I'd go for "never" as well.

It's an antiquated idea that only serves to help those who are already strong, and distorts the racing.

 

[Forever The Best]

Since there is not the option of 'Never' in the poll, I chose the first one. But I'd go for 'Never' as well.

 

[klintE]

Last option is hilarious

 

[Durden93]

Never. How many times have we seen major contenders lose time due to a mechanical/crash in the first week and the peloton presses on?

Also, isn't the whole point of good team tactics/having a strong team being able to support a rider in critical moments?

 

[klintE]

On the other hand, the yellow jersey should be worth to have. I mean some privileges should be assigned to it.

 

[Tonton]

I picked the first option, I think it's courtesy, but "never" would not be unreasonable. The unwritten rule has been broken many times recently, so forget the rule. Bobet once attacked when Gaul was taking a leak...it was a big deal then...but now is now.

 

[hrotha]

If the poll asks "when they ought to", then never. If it asks when I would wait, then "Whole pack together at a non-critical point (e.g. no real chase is on)", because most likely the potential benefits don't justify risking retaliation in the future and "live and let live" would apply.

So yeah, I guess I'll vote for the first option.

 

[DanielSong39]

Never.

 

[DanielSong39]

Just leave it to the racing jury to neutralize the stage.

 

[rick james]

would be hearing different things if it wasn't Froome in yellow, Bertie or Quintana in yellow and Aru pulls that stunt and this forum would go into meltdown...hypocrisy at its finest

 

[carton]

Wait? Only if the racing is completely off. As in most of the time outside the last 50km but almost never within the last 10km.

Not punch it? If there's no threats up the road, it would be nice.

Attack, a la Aru/Zakarin? Always looks crass.

 

[Tonton]

Re:

would be hearing different things if it wasn't Froome in yellow, Bertie or Quintana in yellow and Aru pulls that stunt and this forum would go into meltdown...hypocrisy at its finest

If Pinot was in yellow, I would have checked all the boxes . Ain't gonna happen...I know . But like we French people say: there's always next year . 'been saying that for a while...man, I was young in '85. The good ol' high school days.

 

[hrotha]

Re:

would be hearing different things if it wasn't Froome in yellow, Bertie or Quintana in yellow and Aru pulls that stunt and this forum would go into meltdown...hypocrisy at its finest

Always funny when somebody throws insults rooted on behaviour they imagined.

The trend in these here forums towards less tolerance for waiting has been noticeable for years. But ok.
edit: look, no Froome involved here!

 

[BYOP88]

Only time to wait for me is if there is some outside event, like the year(was it 2011/12?) there were tacs or nails that caused punctures for several riders aside from that it's game on.

 

[lenric]

Never. That's the only fair option.

 

[movingtarget]

I think it should be left up to the individual as there will be plenty of chances for pay back as certain riders have discovered over the years. At least they don't attack through feed zones anymore and with so many team helpers all over the road it's probably more dangerous than it used to be. I am sure Aru would have attacked Dumoulin immediately in the Giro when he was on his roadside quick release.

 

[uspostal]

I'd vote for never !!! its 2017 if we don't wait for contenders on the down hill why wait at all anymore. Hoping Aru goes all LA on somebody during a breakdown and climbs like no tomorrow.

 

[benzwire]

None of the above.

 

[Angliru]

Re:

would be hearing different things if it wasn't Froome in yellow, Bertie or Quintana in yellow and Aru pulls that stunt and this forum would go into meltdown...hypocrisy at its finest

I can't be everywhere at once. It's posts like the above that proves you need supervision.

 

[Iker_Baqueiro]

never for anyone

 

[fiddlers25]

The 1k to go on MTF option was just put in to cover the full range of cases, that one is an obvious don't wait but I just wanted to see if a few would bite.
I forgot to list the never wait option. While I understand the simplicity and no holds barred competitiveness of never wait, I personally think it's great that some etiquette evolved over the years to support waiting in some cases like the first option when the race isn't on in any real way yet. A 3 week long effort shouldn't be wasted by a flat tire at a non-critical point with multiple teams then collaborating to make it impossible for the leader to chase back. Whereas on the last climb of an MTF I don't think anyone should wait (Ullrich was too kind).

Not sure why the polling part of this thread didn't work.

 

[jmdirt]

Never.

 

[red_flanders]

My vote won't take for some reason. First option only.