Say the TDF becomes a singles event.

[hammerthaim]

Mano a mano.
Who wins?
What happens next?

 

[ice&fire]

Mano a mano.
Who wins?
What happens next?

Vino wins in Liege 2010 style

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Mano a mano.
Who wins?
What happens next?

Vino wins in Liege 2010 style

quoted for truth. Next!

 

[tobydawq]

It would be an awful, awful experience. There would be nobody to pull in the peloton, so they would most likely slug their way around France with 25 kph.

Unless somebody realises that there's nobody to pull and decides to attack early.

 

[Tim Booth]

It was supposed to be a singles event until 1930, but even Henri Desgrange realised that it would not work out like that. For the same reasons it would not work now.

 

[Red Rick]

Would be better than the current model.

Really favours Dumoulin or Nibali.

 

[del1962]

Re:

Would be better than the current model.

Really favours Dumoulin or Nibali.

Actually might favor Sagan or Van Avermaet

 

[Tim Booth]

Question 1
How would it be decided which riders take part ?

 

[Velolover2]

Thomas De Gendt

 

[tobydawq]

Question 1
How would it be decided which riders take part ?

The defending victor decides.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Would be better than the current model.

Really favours Dumoulin or Nibali.

Actually might favor Sagan or Van Avermaet

Wouldn't negate a lack of climbing ability that much.

 

[Angliru]

Sky would simply buy allegiances and nothing would change.

 

[Põhja Konn]

Would be like this years classics season. First serious contender to attack gets away and wins as everybody else start to look at each other. And so 21 times over.

Maybe it really would be more interesting than it has been lately. :lol:

 

[del1962]

would they have to fix their mechanicals?

 

[Tim Booth]

Sky would simply buy allegiances and nothing would change.

as Henri Desgrange realised....

 

[GuyIncognito]

Sky would simply buy allegiances and nothing would change.

as Henri Desgrange realised....

And wrote a scathing editorial telling those bought riders that they were no better than servants ("domestiques").
Thus the term was born

 

[SHAD0W93]

Would there only be 22 riders, 1 from each team, or 179 or how ever much it is single riders?

Honestly I wouldn't put it past Bala, Julian A., Michal K., Thomas, Sagan, GVA, Gilbert, Tom D., or Roglic.

 

[Tonton]

...depends on the course. And by the way, would there be ITT at all?

Looking at guys who can be competitive in 21 one-day races regardless of the course, Valverde and Nibali come to mind. Doumoulin isn't a bad podium bet. Kwiat, Sagan, even Alaf' aren't good enough of climbers.

The two Frenchies could do some damage. A mix of Bardet and Pinot, that's Bardot, right? Now that's a sexy pick .

I don't think that it would be worse than the current state of affairs with regards to suspense. Not gonna happen tho'. Too bad...I'd like to see it.

 

[Red Rick]

I think this format would suit Valverde dreadfully.

There'd be a looot of randomness, anyone who can't top 10 a GT normally still won't win, rouleur abililties, tactical nouse, consistency and the ability to ride hard for more than a 20 minute climb would be a lot more advantageous than now. Sprints and puncheur ability would largely be negated in this format.

Really this would suit Dumoulin first.

 

[Tonton]

Dumoulin yes, Valverde I see your reasoning but disagree big time. The guy can race and win a classic with no team (same for Nibali), top-tier tactician (not at Nibali level but still), Valverde can hide...and surge. Over 21 or so days, he won't lose much time any day, and gain some time on some days. Consistency is Valverde. That format would require consistency, at least some consistency, or a "Vino attitude".

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Somebody totally random would gain hours because chasing would be suicide. The strongest riders would only have a slightly better chance than anyone else in the peloton. It would essentially be a lottery to see which huge gain proved to be the biggest.

 

[Koronin]

In this scenario you'll get one of two things. Either everyone not willing to do anything and then whoever is the best climber/sprinter will end up winning. OR you get someone (Contador type) who will be willing to risk everything including risking that no one will be willing to chase and pick one stage and just go for it.

 

[SHAD0W93]

You have to also think there will be completely different stages for someone to gain time. The individual will have to be average at everything. Throw in no race radio and it would be chaos.

 

[Koronin]

A good all rounder who is also a good tactician.

 

[rick james]

Moscon would win