Quote Originally Posted by Mikkel_K View Post

If everybody were just racing as individuals, no one would have any incentive to not just hide themselves in the bunch, saving the energy for later. In other words, the race would most likely get very slow and boring, except for - maybe - the last 15-20 km.
Sounds like a typical 10,000 meter race at the Olympic Games. How many times have we seen them do a slow pace for 9,600 meters, and pick up the pace at the end. That annoys the hell out of me, they may as well just have a 400 meter race.

I'm not clear on how the current team system would any more exciting, you seldom see the top guys stand out in a big push until maybe the end, and often not at all if they don't need to. A guy can win the tour without ever trying real hard to win a stage.

I really admire these guys for their athletic achievement, but really it's kind of boring to watch, maybe the team aspect gives us something to discuss and maybe adds some interest.

As far as the hanging back in the pack thing, maybe you are right, but like I said it in't any more of an issue than with any long distance track event. Some tour events would have guys pushing hard try try and leave the field behind, other events it would be a few weeks of one huge peleton. Maybe there should be more involved in winning the tour than just time. Maybe winning a stage should count for more in the overall standings. Then you would see more action.