Tour de France

[El Kabong]

When I was over in France, the French (at least the ones I hung out with) didn't seem to appreciate cycling as they said all of the cyclists dope.....I told them they were just bitter because an American (at that time Floyd Landis) had won for the 8th time in a row.

[CGM]

When I was over in France, the French (at least the ones I hung out with) didn't seem to appreciate cycling as they said all of the cyclists dope.....I told them they were just bitter because an American (at that time Floyd Landis) had won for the 8th time in a row.

I agree with you. It's sour grapes. Of course Bernard Hinault, or Laurent Fignon, were super clean, , but that was sooooo long ago.

[El Kabong]

Greg LeMond was pretty successful in France as well

[CGM]

Yeah leMond was good, I think he won twice in a row.

I was watching the tour this morning on tv, and they were kicking up a fuss about an Astana team member, who had taken the bull by the horns and taken a run at a stage victory when it wasn't part of the team plan, and apparently his mates were pissed off.

Frankly I think this highlights a weakness of the team aspect of cycling. I really don't think the team aspect adds much to the sport, I'd rather just see an each man for himself event. Then we really see what these top riders are made of.

[amat]

I thought the same thing before CGM but the team aspect is needed in the tour. It's not like NASCAR, these guys are out here for 3 weeks and they need support from team members if they want to stay in the thick. It also provides some fascinating strategy elements to the sport.

I have been trying to wake up early to watch it, tomorrow I'll wake up early for sure for the British Open so Ill catch it.

[VictorCharlie]

Can someone explain how "team" strategy works in cycling? I don't really understand how other cyclists are going to help you during a race.

[amat]

It's hard to explain for a relative cycling newcomer. But it's the support. For example, if Armstrong has a teammate who can't do all the things Armstrong can but is strong climbing the alps. You put him there with Armstrong, to let him set the pace for Armstrong. When someone has to go back to the car to get water for the whole team or food for the whole team, for such a long haul you have to have that help. There's no way Lance survives at the top of the tour without a whole lot of support from his team. Doesn't mean it's a total team sport but it has a lot of team aspects and they have to rely on their teammates constantly.

What was crap about Cantador is that he was having trouble earlier in the stage and Lance and Levi fell back with him and helped him get back to the chase group. Then without warning later on he sprinted ahead and picked up time on Lance. I'm not a huge Armstrong fan, he has a Favre-like ego, but he was in the right here.

[CGM]

I thought the same thing before CGM but the team aspect is needed in the tour. It's not like NASCAR, these guys are out here for 3 weeks and they need support from team members if they want to stay in the thick. It also provides some fascinating strategy elements to the sport.

I have been trying to wake up early to watch it, tomorrow I'll wake up early for sure for the British Open so Ill catch it.

You have a point. It's part of the sport as it has been defined. It's been that way for a while, so they need it. If it wasn't a team sport it'd be individual. They need each other to stay in the thick because everyone else does it. If the rules change, they'd adapt, as long as the playing field is level it doesn't really matter which way it's done. I just prefer individual.