Sprinters quiting GTs

[Aapjes]

Some great replies here about having to miss the Tour if you pull out of the Giro etc. Why not insist that all 9 men have to finish the race if one abandons then the rest have to leave the race too.

So Menchov would have to leave the Giro because Horillo crashed? The cries of 'unearned victory' would never stop haunting the winner. Nice kick in the nuts for Horillo too. No, stupid idea.

 

[Ibanez]

Sprinters typically weigh 70+kg and have to haul themeselves over mountains much much faster then any amateur climbing specialists could. It's very very hard, and they are there to win, not ride themselves out of form just to finish a race.

Why should a domestique bother to finish FW after riding on the front for 150k controlling the breakaways with LBL just round the corner? They are professionals who know that there is no shame in not finishing a race when their job is done and they shouldn't be punished for it.

 

[elapid]

Nope. They are doing their job by winning sprints (winning sprints = publicity = sponsors = $$). They didn't get employed to finish GTs.

+1. Totally agree. They train specifically for sprinting, not climbing. They are employed for their sprinting talents, not climbing. The race for the sprint and grin and bear the climbs. Yes, occasionally they don't finish a GT. Most often this is because the remainder of the GT does not suit them and their future goals - there is no value for Cavendish riding up Blockhaus when he can get much more effective training for the TdF and the green jersey behind a motorbike. Yes, sometimes it is because they don't like the hills (Cipollini), but more than often it is for other reasons.

 

[BYOP88]

So Menchov would have to leave the Giro because Horillo crashed? The cries of 'unearned victory' would never stop haunting the winner. Nice kick in the nuts for Horillo too. No, stupid idea.

Yeah just like some of the other "ideas" in this thread like awarding the wins at the end of the race. Anyway it's not just sprinters that pull out i mean f/e Millar withdrew oh and Soler on a mountain stage

 

[luckyboy]

Soler withdrew because he had tendonitis didn't he?

 

[BYOP88]

Soler withdrew because he had tendonitis didn't he?

Has he got a note from a Doctor to prove it?

 

[lucybears]

Has he got a note from a Doctor to prove it?

yes
issued 20.05.09 @ 3:40 PM

http://www.revistamundociclistico.com/sitio/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5167&Itemid=74

 

[BYOP88]

yes
issued 20.05.09 @ 3:40 PM

http://www.revistamundociclistico.com/sitio/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5167&Itemid=74

Ok he can abandon and there will be no penalty imposed upon him

 

[jfarbs]

relax

And i hate the fact that keyboard warriors can go on forums slagging off pro's when they have never ridden a GT stage in their life. Truth is that the sprinters complete mountain TDF stages quicker than any etape riders. PUt up or shut up.

I never said that Sprinters couldn't climb. They are paid to race. I would like to see riders commit to the race they are in, and not bail when the profile no longer suits them in a GT. The fact is that the playing field is not even between 2 sprinters, 1 of whom plans on giving all he has for 4-6 stages vs. a sprinter who can't afford to cook himself as he has 2 more weeks of racing.

There are no shortage of 1 day races or shorter Tours for those who only want to put in a week of effort.

And lighten up. Sure many of us have day jobs and are not paid to race, but without our attention and support the pro sport would die pretty quickly. We deserve our say, and that goes for you too.

 

[jfarbs]

Who will challenge Cav for green this year? Boonen and Petaacchi won't be there. He will win by default.

Are you ruling Boonen out for sure? There is still a chance that he can protest his way back in. It's ridiculous to exclude him...again.

 

[lacticacid]

Their employer should cut their salaries. That's what happens to other working folk.

What are their employers paying them for? Who do you think makes the decision when they drop out?

 

[elapid]

They are paid to race. I would like to see riders commit to the race they are in, and not bail when the profile no longer suits them in a GT. The fact is that the playing field is not even between 2 sprinters, 1 of whom plans on giving all he has for 4-6 stages vs. a sprinter who can't afford to cook himself as he has 2 more weeks of racing.

GTs are essentially a series of one day races. Each day suits different riding styles. Sprinters are paid to race and hopefully win the flat stages, not the entire Tour. Why would their employer cut their salaries when they are doing exactly what they are paid for - contest and win sprint stages? It should also be noted that the decision to leave a GT is unlikely to be made by the sprinter, but rather the employer. There is no value to the employer or the sponsor if a sprinter blows up in the mountain stages of the Giro and cannot win in the TdF as a result. This means no wins for the team and no air time for the sponsor. And that makes no sense.