[Hazy]

As a new follower of the pros I am sure there is a lot I need to learn and know before making comments on styles and such but this is more of a personal observation on character than anything else. After reading the article I am linking to I am disappointed in the attitude of the TDF Champion. In my opinion a true champion welcomes a challenge not just people to help HIM look better.

Anyway here is the link.
Hushovd Not To Participate In 2012 Tour De France? | Cyclingnews.com

[Xela]

I really don't understand that either. Especially since Thor is not a GC threat. I mean it's hard to imagine Thor ever having a much better Tour than he had this year, and even then he was no threat to Cadel. So why would it be different when he's on the same team? I wasn't pulling for Cadel to win this year anyway, and after seeing that, I'm glad.

[Weav]

I would much rather tune into the TDF and watch Thor than watch Cadel "I sound like a mouse" Evens.

[Tedzo]

Unfortunately, to win a three-week stage race like the TDF all of riders have to ride in support of the one team leader. It is too taxing and demanding to split the efforts of the team to both protect the team GC prospect AND do the multiple kilometers of high speed peloton pacing and sprint lead-outs necessary for a sprinter as well. It's either one or the other, you can't have both. Cadel is right to make the team decide which way it wants to go at the TDF. Plus, the TDF is only one race on the calender. There are many other races during the year in which the team could and would support Thor exclusively. And the team can formed around Thor for those events, just as it is selected to best support Cadel at the Tour.

[photosbymark]

Which is exactly why I think the TDF sucks

[Tedzo]

Originally Posted by photosbymark

Which is exactly why I think the TDF sucks

The TDF does have it's crappy side but any multi-day race is basically the same...the team picks their leader and rides in support of them. But the leader of the team can change during the race if he is not doing well or crashes out. Racing is a dynamic thing and the teams need to be flexible. Take Team Radio Shack at the TDF this year. They had four potential GC contenders and they all eventually crashed out. But each time the team rallied in support of the new leader and only him. Even the former leader, if he is still in the race, rides for the new leader. Having two leaders at once divides the teams efforts. Remember Lance and Alberto Contador on the same team a few years back. Loyalties were divided in a big way and it was potentially a disaster. It's always good to have a backup plan though.

[Hazy]

Originally Posted by Tedzo

The TDF does have it's crappy side but any multi-day race is basically the same...the team picks their leader and rides in support of them. But the leader of the team can change during the race if he is not doing well or crashes out. Racing is a dynamic thing and the teams need to be flexible. Take Team Radio Shack at the TDF this year. They had four potential GC contenders and they all eventually crashed out. But each time the team rallied in support of the new leader and only him. Even the former leader, if he is still in the race, rides for the new leader. Having two leaders at once divides the teams efforts. Remember Lance and Alberto Contador on the same team a few years back. Loyalties were divided in a big way and it was potentially a disaster. It's always good to have a backup plan though.

If its a team game then the winner should be the team and not the individual. The MVP of the World Series is not proclaimed the sole winner of the World Series as an example of what I am trying to say here.

[Tedzo]

Originally Posted by Hazy

If its a team game then the winner should be the team and not the individual. The MVP of the World Series is not proclaimed the sole winner of the World Series as an example of what I am trying to say here.

Yeah, that kinda stumps me, too. But I think it comes from the old days when the riders rode as individuals (no teams) and they formed alliances during the race. One guy said to another, 'hey, if you help me here I'll help you there' or 'I'll pay you to help me win this stage' type thing. Or country men would help a stronger fellow country man for the glory of their flag, etc. Then teams were formed to regulate that kind of thing but still only one guy would win.

[photosbymark]

For the life of me I don't see why anyone would be a water bottle runner, blocker for the real racer, there to just follow the teams instructions with absolutely NO chance to be allowed to win. Either the team as a whole wins, but if an individual wins then every member of the team should be able to do what is in their best interest not Cadel Evans. A domestique should be a pretty french girl in a maid outfit with the shortest skirt possible.

[Hazy]

Originally Posted by photosbymark

For the life of me I don't see why anyone would be a water bottle runner, blocker for the real racer, there to just follow the teams instructions with absolutely NO chance to be allowed to win. Either the team as a whole wins, but if an individual wins then every member of the team should be able to do what is in their best interest not Cadel Evans. A domestique should be a pretty french girl in a maid outfit with the shortest skirt possible.

You wouldn't ride a bike for a living even if it meant you could not win a big event? Pshhh!! I understand why they do it, I don't understand why the system exists.