[whyeyebike]

Well I think it is fair to wait only as long as the beginning of the next stage to discuss the previous one....so here goes....

Wow!!!! One of the things that I have loved about cycling is its level of fair play and the "code of honor" that the riders abide by. I like the fact that riders will look out for each other and neutralize stages they believe are unsafe. I also like the fact that there are these unwritten rules of fair racing. I think Contador violated one of the most sacred yesterday. I don't for 1 minute believe that he didn't see Schleck have a mechanical. He was watching Schleck and could see his feet slip, and then his cranks just spin out of control. And Contador immediately picks up the pace. Now playing devils advocate, I didn't see Menchov or Sammy Sanchez hold the pace on the decent....but I think that Contador was 100% behind the attack on the ascent.

I am sure there will be those that will disagree, but hey; it wouldn't be fun without debate. So here we go!!!!

[synack]

I agree, Contador said after the race that he didn't know right away of Schleck's mech issue but he found out after he was ahead. Doesn't matter, he could have still waited!

I don't believe him either because you can see Contador look back several times to make sure Andy wasn't right there.

[flanderscycling]

I would have done the same, even harder.
Hey guys, it's part of the game! It's racing (for big money).

How many racers lost Paris-roubaix or Tour of flanders because of mechanical disaster?!

Eddy Merckx agrees with me!

[whyeyebike]

Originally Posted by flanderscycling

How many racers lost Paris-roubaix or Tour of flanders because of mechanical disaster?!

I agree, but also think there is something different about a 1 day classic and a grand tour. As a fan, I want to see the guy win who is the best rider, not the guy who had the best luck. I know there can be arguments about equipment and the fact that the teams each ride different bikes and use all kinds of different gear; and that can affect the outcome as well...but to me, winning because your competition got a mechanical is a crappy way of doing it.

[Xela]

I don't like AC, and for that I really want to believe what he did was heinous and horrible, but I'm having a little trouble convincing myself of that.

I think my difficulty comes from also being such huge fan of F1 and LMS racing. You look at the whole package in these forms of motorsport, and there was no finer example than Le Mans this year. Peugeot, much to my chagrin, absolutely dominated qualifying; sweeping the top four spots. Even a non-works car was ahead of the top placed Audi. Even in race pace, it didn't look good for the Audi's. However, one-by-one all the Peugeots had mechanical problems and the Audi's went on to sweep the podium. Same thing in F1. The fastest car is not always the winner. The car has to be reliable. That is why these teams fight for the best engineers and mechanics; not just the best drivers.

I kinda see professional cycling in the same light. Teams need to consider the whole package. Hire the best mechanics, chefs, strategists, etc.; not just the best riders. More specific to this instance, we've even discussed on this forum simple preventative means of stopping the chain from dropping.

There was a great article by Chris Carmichael yesterday presenting the case for both sides of the argument.

Carmichael Training Systems: PezCycling News

[whyeyebike]

Good points Xela....and I am bias in the fact that I am not a fan of Contador. I believe what goes around comes around, and one day; this decision Contador made will come back to haunt him.

[Xela]

Originally Posted by whyeyebike

I believe what goes around comes around, and one day; this decision Contador made will come back to haunt him.

Exactly, like Carmichael alluded, I think the peloton will eventually dish out their own justice.

[whyeyebike]

Originally Posted by Xela

There was a great article by Chris Carmichael yesterday presenting the case for both sides of the argument.

Carmichael Training Systems: PezCycling News

From Carmichael's article....

"My struggle is that for seemingly every defense of one argument, there’s an equally valid counter-argument. There really doesn’t seem to be one answer that’s clearly right or one that’s clearly wrong. In the end, and even though it’s directly contradicted by the Lance/Ullrich situation on Luz Ardiden in 2003, if I had to make a decision today I would say that it would have been nice to see Contador wait for Schleck, but I don’t think he was obligated to. The decision to press on, however, may well haunt Contador later in this race or in the future."


I completely agree with Chris here.....I would have liked Contador to wait, but the fact is; it is an "unwritten rule" that you wait if the leader gets a mechanical. There was no obligation.

[whyeyebike]

And by the way....this has been a good tour. Just wish Levi was riding a little better. Really want him on the podium!!!!

[Xela]

Originally Posted by whyeyebike

Really want him on the podium!!!!

Hate to say it, as I feel the same, but there's not much of a chance of that anymore.

So, did you read about today's stage? I had it streaming on my second computer screen. The finish was pretty exciting, and I was actually yelling in my office. Gotta remember not to do that when I have headphones on and the door open.