Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2024, stage 18: Vitoria-Gasteiz - Maeztu, 179.3k

[Sciatic]

It was definitely a misjudgment (if it wasn't based on some kind of symbolic principle).

Agreed

 

[Oldermanish]

I don't know why we keep seeing these examples of riders being forced to drop back to "help" a semi GC guy on a mountaineous or hilly stage. I don't remember a single case of a rider having a bad day, being minutes behind the other GC contenders, and then reducing the gap significantly after forcing a teammate from the breakaway to drop back to pull. That strategy only makes a minor difference in terms of the GC while it ruins the chance of a stage win for the breakaway rider.

It may have to do with showing loyalty to the captain, but if that's the case it's loyalty in a bad way.

It also may play into a loss minimization strategy. Don't let the "leader" drop below 5th...10th in GC. Weird riding happens in the TourdF related to that routinely. It even can involve incentivizing another team to pace/chase in exchange for a future concession or assist. You sense that when commentators start: "why would ....team be running up the pace? They aren't going to win the stage and don't have a rider to protect."

It can also mean that a "leader" has a contracted sponsor funded performance incentive that amounts to enough money the DS will sacrifice a potential stage win for a secure podium or top ten performance to please paying sponsors. I have zero idea that happened here but it's happened in most GTs.

 

[Danskebjerge]

It also may play into a loss minimization strategy. Don't let the "leader" drop below 5th...10th in GC. Weird riding happens in the TourdF related to that routinely. It even can involve incentivizing another team to pace/chase in exchange for a future concession or assist. You sense that when commentators start: "why would ....team be running up the pace? They aren't going to win the stage and don't have a rider to protect."

It can also mean that a "leader" has a contracted sponsor funded performance incentive that amounts to enough money the DS will sacrifice a potential stage win for a secure podium or top ten performance to please paying sponsors. I have zero idea that happened here but it's happened in most GTs.

Good points.

 

[Rob5091]

UAE without a guy in top 10. When was the last time that happened?

 

[Danskebjerge]

UAE without a guy in top 10. When was the last time that happened?

That's one of the good things about a long season and three GT's: You can't be everywhere, at least not with top-tuned riders each time.

 

[Peyroteo94]

UAE without a guy in top 10. When was the last time that happened?

They have Sivakov

 

[Rob5091]

They have Sivakov

I meant on the stage.