TDF 2018 Stage 4 - La Baule - Sarzeau 195 km

[Cookster15]

Re: Re:

What a totally useless stage, it really does serve no purpose. Why not to straight to the hills of Brittany and add a little suspense with a late hill instead of serving up yet another COMPLETELY flat stage?

Well Valv.Piti. I will tell you. This stage has been designed to actually bore people to death. Recent studies have shown that at least 20% of people watching an entirely flat stage will die from their brain functioning at all, because they are literally watching nothing happening, causing all brainwaves to stop.

From a cyclists point of view I agree. But it might surprise you guys but many millions actually watch the tour around the world because they like the French scenery and spectacle but care little for the racing. These millions have no idea about cycling the sport. But the fact these millions switch on to view these stages helps money and sponsors. It is why the Tour is bigger than the Giro or Vuelta. The biggest bike race in the world.

That's just the way it is. Business.

That's just nonsense. They'd get the scenery on an entertaining day too.

Don't come telling us that boring, flat stages attract more viewers because they are more scenic and spectacular. They aren't.

I am sorry but think you are very wrong and I say that as a 30 year fan and competitor in this sport but with an open mind. Perhaps where you come it is different but where I come from the ideals of the CyclingNews forum are not representative of the business case for the Tour de France. Especially most women who really couldn't give a toss. As you know, French towns surrounded by flat, boring geography pay to have the Tour visit. It brings revenue. You may not like it and I absolutely agree it is boring but that is just they way it is. It pays the bills. There is less flat geography in Italy and Spain so they don't have the same challenge with the Giro and Vuelta. But they don't have the same money either. But don't worry it doesn't last long. A necessary evil for purists to endure for a day. For the record I won't be tuning in but I can deal with that.

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

What a totally useless stage, it really does serve no purpose. Why not to straight to the hills of Brittany and add a little suspense with a late hill instead of serving up yet another COMPLETELY flat stage?

Well Valv.Piti. I will tell you. This stage has been designed to actually bore people to death. Recent studies have shown that at least 20% of people watching an entirely flat stage will die from their brain functioning at all, because they are literally watching nothing happening, causing all brainwaves to stop.

From a cyclists point of view I agree. But it might surprise you guys but many millions actually watch the tour around the world because they like the French scenery and spectacle but care little for the racing. These millions have no idea about cycling the sport. But the fact these millions switch on to view these stages helps money and sponsors. It is why the Tour is bigger than the Giro or Vuelta. The biggest bike race in the world.

That's just the way it is. Business.

That's just nonsense. They'd get the scenery on an entertaining day too.

Don't come telling us that boring, flat stages attract more viewers because they are more scenic and spectacular. They aren't.

I am sorry but think you are very wrong and I say that as a 30 year fan and competitor in this sport but with an open mind. Perhaps where you come it is different but where I come from the ideals of the CyclingNews forum are not representative of the business case for the Tour de France. Especially most women who really couldn't give a toss. As you know, French towns surrounded by flat, boring geography pay to have the Tour visit. It brings revenue. You may not like it and I absolutely agree it is boring but that is just they way it is. It pays the bills. There is less flat geography in Italy and Spain so they don't have the same challenge with the Giro and Vuelta. But they don't have the same money either. But don't worry it doesn't last long. A necessary evil for purists to endure for a day. For the record I won't be tuning in but I can deal with that.

Spain seems to have the opposite problem of not listing climbs that should be categorized in fear of chasing away too many people from wanting to ride it in the first place. I remember Valverde's comments when last year's route was released. The two stages here his home were either listed as flat or with just the one climb at the end. He said if people thinks these two stages are flat they will be disappointed when they get here because there are several climbs on these roads they aren't listing. Then something about these are my training roads, they aren't flat.

 

[perico]

It’s the type of day that having Phil Liggett would be nice. No chance to screw up GC aspirant names up, just the soothing voice of Uncle Phil, the yacht rock of pro cycling (especially now that LA has been put out to pasture and he’s grown out of the sycophant phase).

 

[tobydawq]

Re: Re:

What a totally useless stage, it really does serve no purpose. Why not to straight to the hills of Brittany and add a little suspense with a late hill instead of serving up yet another COMPLETELY flat stage?

Well Valv.Piti. I will tell you. This stage has been designed to actually bore people to death. Recent studies have shown that at least 20% of people watching an entirely flat stage will die from their brain functioning at all, because they are literally watching nothing happening, causing all brainwaves to stop.

From a cyclists point of view I agree. But it might surprise you guys but many millions actually watch the tour around the world because they like the French scenery and spectacle but care little for the racing. These millions have no idea about cycling the sport. But the fact these millions switch on to view these stages helps money and sponsors. It is why the Tour is bigger than the Giro or Vuelta. The biggest bike race in the world.

That's just the way it is. Business.

That's just nonsense. They'd get the scenery on an entertaining day too.

Don't come telling us that boring, flat stages attract more viewers because they are more scenic and spectacular. They aren't.

I am sorry but think you are very wrong and I say that as a 30 year fan and competitor in this sport but with an open mind. Perhaps where you come it is different but where I come from the ideals of the CyclingNews forum are not representative of the business case for the Tour de France. Especially most women who really couldn't give a toss. As you know, French towns surrounded by flat, boring geography pay to have the Tour visit. It brings revenue. You may not like it and I absolutely agree it is boring but that is just they way it is. It pays the bills. There is less flat geography in Italy and Spain so they don't have the same challenge with the Giro and Vuelta. But they don't have the same money either. But don't worry it doesn't last long. A necessary evil for purists to endure for a day. For the record I won't be tuning in but I can deal with that.

But more scenic? I get the coastal thing, but isn't pretty much anywhere in France nice-looking?

And aren't the mountains the most spectacular of all places? Though, of course they can't be ridden in for 21 stages.

I just think it's to cater to the sprinters and not make the route over the too difficult.

 

[Cookster15]

Yes the mountains are more spectacular but I think this Tour has more or less the same as usual. Many non cycling people like to see green fields, flowers and historic towns and buildings. Like I said, I don't like it either its just they way it is. If there were 3 stages in a row I would be furious. But there isn't so its fine.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Stage two of Tour de France 2014 in Yorkshire was some of the most beautiful things I have seen, both in terms of landscape, racing and the insane amount of spectators. Thats everything you want in the early part of your stage race

 

[Robert5091]

https://www.cyclingstage.com/tour-de-france-2018-route/stage-4-tdf-2018/

Arrival place Sarzeau makes its first appearance on the Tour de France. It is likely that the race will see a royal bunch sprint, as the last 4 kilometres are played out on a sheer endless straight, while the final 2 kilometres feature a number of false flat sections. Firstly 200 metres at 3%, then from 1.2 kilometres to 600 meter before the line a stretch at 2%, while the last 300 metres are false flat, too.

Is it a coincidence that Sarzeau is debuting in this year’s Tour? Not really. The new president of the UCI, David Lappartient, is the town’s mayor.

Weather

Sunny skies during the morning will give way to mostly cloudy skies in the afternoon. High 27C. NE winds shifting to W at 15 to 25 km/h.

Headwind plus little gradient - a big strong sprinter to win! Otherwise, relaxing day before stage on Wednesday to Quimper.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Another brilliant 5k tour stage

Maybe sprinters should be banned............

 

[The Hegelian]

You know what's really sad about these first week flat sprinter-fest stages? I actually find them far more enjoyable and interesting than the mountains. Because at least there's a great even field, where the best of the best come up against each other. If one dominates - like Kittel last year - it may be a little because of their team, but it's mainly because they're immutably just the quickest sprinter.

In the past one usually just endured the first week as an appetizer, but since the Sky-era one has to assume the mountains will be an incredibly frustrating and unsatisfying TTT where everyone just hangs on as long as they can to secure their top 10 position. When you know this will happen, suddenly the first week looks intoxicating. Sagan vs Gaviria vs Demare vs Kittel? Yes please.

 

[Jspear]

Re:

You know what's really sad about these first week flat sprinter-fest stages? I actually find them far more enjoyable and interesting than the mountains. Because at least there's a great even field, where the best of the best come up against each other. If one dominates - like Kittel last year - it may be a little because of their team, but it's mainly because they're immutably just the quickest sprinter.

In the past one usually just endured the first week as an appetizer, but since the Sky-era one has to assume the mountains will be an incredibly frustrating and unsatisfying TTT where everyone just hangs on as long as they can to secure their top 10 position. When you know this will happen, suddenly the first week looks intoxicating. Sagan vs Gaviria vs Demare vs Kittel? Yes please.

Well this year you can truly enjoy the mountains knowing that Froome has ridden the Giro. That WILL have an effect on the race. He could still win, but the race will definitely be more interesting to watch.

Hoping for Cav, expecting Gav.

 

[Escarabajo]

We go through this discussion every year. These flat boring stages are a necessary evil. Nice scenery, money, tire the climbers, brings the best of the sprinters field, etc.

 

[thehog]

Re:

We go through this discussion every year. These flat boring stages are a necessary evil. Nice scenery, money, tire the climbers, brings the best of the sprinters field, etc.

Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday will be great stages. It will nicely cap off week one with some time gaps which might mean some aggressive racing in week 2.

 

[Amazinmets87]

Re:

We go through this discussion every year. These flat boring stages are a necessary evil. Nice scenery, money, tire the climbers, brings the best of the sprinters field, etc.

Do they really significantly tire the climbers? I recall reading that GC leaders had a ridiculously low watt output on pan flat stages due to being sheltered the duration of the stage by their team and peloton

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

We go through this discussion every year. These flat boring stages are a necessary evil. Nice scenery, money, tire the climbers, brings the best of the sprinters field, etc.

Do they really significantly tire the climbers? I recall reading that GC leaders had a ridiculously low watt output on pan flat stages due to being sheltered the duration of the stage by their team and peloton

I doubt it. Besides Valverde decided to mix it up with the sprinters on stage two's sprint finish after a pan flat stage.

 

[hammerthaim]

Kittel by a tyre width over someone. Someone who gets a good run. Probably Dylan.

 

[The Hegelian]

Re: Re:

You know what's really sad about these first week flat sprinter-fest stages? I actually find them far more enjoyable and interesting than the mountains. Because at least there's a great even field, where the best of the best come up against each other. If one dominates - like Kittel last year - it may be a little because of their team, but it's mainly because they're immutably just the quickest sprinter.

In the past one usually just endured the first week as an appetizer, but since the Sky-era one has to assume the mountains will be an incredibly frustrating and unsatisfying TTT where everyone just hangs on as long as they can to secure their top 10 position. When you know this will happen, suddenly the first week looks intoxicating. Sagan vs Gaviria vs Demare vs Kittel? Yes please.

Well this year you can truly enjoy the mountains knowing that Froome has ridden the Giro. That WILL have an effect on the race. He could still win, but the race will definitely be more interesting to watch.

Hoping for Cav, expecting Gav.

Every year there is a ray of hope.

"This year Contador is in form....."

"This year Froome hasn't really won much & Porte looks super strong...."

....and then hope is crushed and the Sky TTT around France begins in earnest. But I take your point. The Giro was savage and if Froome is flying in the third week I'll be pretty surprised.

 

[JosephK]

Re:

You know what's really sad about these first week flat sprinter-fest stages? I actually find them far more enjoyable and interesting than the mountains. Because at least there's a great even field, where the best of the best come up against each other. If one dominates - like Kittel last year - it may be a little because of their team, but it's mainly because they're immutably just the quickest sprinter.

In the past one usually just endured the first week as an appetizer, but since the Sky-era one has to assume the mountains will be an incredibly frustrating and unsatisfying TTT where everyone just hangs on as long as they can to secure their top 10 position. When you know this will happen, suddenly the first week looks intoxicating. Sagan vs Gaviria vs Demare vs Kittel? Yes please.

I must agree here with the philosopher. In the first week of the TDF, each stage is like a classic unto itself, not yet clouded by the realization that the GC situation is a done deal, done and dusted.

 

[jaylew]

Kittel

 

[JackRabbitSlims]

Any recommendations or suggestions for live streaming links or sites for the race please??

 

[Robert5091]

Re:

Any recommendations or suggestions for live streaming links or sites for the race please??

There is a thread with tips - see - http://forum.cyclingnews.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34177

 

[spalco]

Re:

What a totally useless stage, it really does serve no purpose. Why not to straight to the hills of Brittany and add a little suspense with a late hill instead of serving up yet another COMPLETELY flat stage?

Do none of you have a job? Stages like this are fantastic to watch with one eye while getting stuff done in the office.

 

[yaco]

Some are confusing a stage race with a one day classic race. They are different beasts.

 

[Oude Geuze]

I don’t really understand how you can dislike the mountains even with team sky being dominant. I loved watching Barguil’s campaign for the KOM last year. The GC was filled with drama with the yellow jersey changing hands, Dan Martin attacking at every opportunity and Aru looked great for a long time. The top 5 contenders were really close with everything to fight for up until the TT on stage 20. Can’t really ask for much more than that. Someone will always be the best on the best team and win, and you can't complain about winning margins of seconds.


EDIT: It’s also true for any team sport that some will have financial and thus competitive superiority, you can’t get away from that fact unless you want state sponsorship with equal budgets. But who would pay for that, European countries? Even the financial and socioeconomic status inequalities in different parts of the world confers different advantages/disadvantages to athletes from a certain area. But this is what brings flavor to racing, and why some people love perceived underdogs like the Columbians more than say... British riders

 

[tomorrow]

why is nobody thinking about collbreli? His win in TdS and even this sunday proved he's very fast in these kind of finishes.

 

[JackRabbitSlims]

Re: Re:

Any recommendations or suggestions for live streaming links or sites for the race please??

There is a thread with tips - see - http://forum.cyclingnews.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34177

Thank you