[photosbymark]

First of all it really was not much like I expected. Granted there are long traditions, but frankly some are just down right crazy.

I was shocked and deeply disappointed that ordinary people, even complete drunks can not figure out how to stay off the road and let the guys have a road to race on without people running along side of them, jumping out in front of them, and getting in the way of the racing. If these are the top pros, let them do their jobs for goodness sakes. IF they had wanted to pass another rider in the climbs, putting the chrome horn on a drunk would have been required. That makes no sense. There is passion for a sport which I respect, and there is stupidity. People that crowd the racers are not fans. They just want to get on tv, or get there 30 seconds of fame. It was great to see all the real fans, out of the way cheering the riders on, but the organizers get an F for failing to control the crowds.

What can happen with this was born out as one spectator caused a crash that dumped half the peleton. A big crash in the mountains could send a rider off the side of a cliff. Many of those roads don't have guard rails.

Some really interesting racing including some strategy and tactical moves that Phil and Bob did a good job of trying to explain. I thought they did a great job balancing it so a rookie like me could follow, without being insulting to veteran viewers.

After giving the system a chance, the domestique system is crazy. Yes its the tradition, but it makes not sense. Only 3 riders counting toward the team standings is just as puzzling. If you are going to ride, why would you want to ride knowing you would make little to no contribution to the overall effort. It makes as much sense as having designated number 1 riders in a race. On a race of this length, I can see it makes sense to have a few extra riders on a team in the event that some go down, but 9 seems way too many.

Feeding and watering stations would serve same function as the riding water bottle runners. Want to draft? Draft off your competition. Yes its been said that taking the water bottle runners out of the race would be like not calling balls and strikes. I disagree. Instead getting the water bottle runners out of the way would free up the best of the best to better do what they do best. Id rather see a group of 50 really racing than a pack of 150 knowing that 100 are just water bottle runners. A pack that size almost assures that a water bottle runner going down and taking a large part of the peleton with them. IF the peleton is going to crash, I want it to be Evans, Contador, Cavendish and Thor all going for the same piece of pavement. Evans shouldn't need a Hincappie for protection.

The greatest respect goes to the two riders that finished after being hit by a car. With those injuries to finish has be the heart and soul of what the tour is about. Way too many cars and bikes way too close to the riders. Two crashes seem to bear that out and with the more advanced technology this shouldn't be as necessary so much any more and crashing out a rider is inexcusable on any level.

I was confused yesterday. Were they racing or not racing?? Tradition says you don't attack the yellow jersey on the last day, but what sense does that make? If you want to make the ride a celebration, great. If you want to race, race. I enjoyed the Cadel BMC team photo and thought that was cool salute to the leader and a salute from the leader to the fans. Thought it would have been better to see if Andy could have caught him and made that a post race victory lap.

 

[flanderscycling]

Cycling is the only sport where the stars are accessible for their supporters. I agree on the part where you say that it is very dangerous in the climbings and that some people would do everything to get their 3 sec of fame.
But there was only one accident until now (1999-Alpe dHuez with Guerini, you can find it on youtube).
It's impossible to put barriers over the whole of the climbs.


I hope that your ideas will never get entry in cycling, my dear friend.
Believe me that Cadel needed all his teammates to win this race. They do a lot more than just get water!
About the last ride (to Paris) it is indeed a tradition that the last race starts after the team of the yellow jersey passed the finish line the first time. Some traditions need to maintain!
I saw a beautiful race yesterday on the Champs Elysées. It was predictable that Cavendish would win, but the last 10 km were thrilling.
This TDF was exciting, better then years ago when it was clear the first week that Indurain or Armstrong would win. I can't speek about the years Merckx ruled the TDF, because I am to young to remember. But I read much about it and older cycling fans tell me that he won with a lot more "panache" and attacks then Indurain or Armstrong. And above all, he won about everything while the two others "just" specialised in the TDF.

I sure hope you will enjoy the races in the future.

 

[Xela]

Cycling is the only sport where the stars are accessible for their supporters. I agree on the part where you say that it is very dangerous in the climbings and that some people would do everything to get their 3 sec of fame.
But there was only one accident until now (1999-Alpe dHuez with Guerini, you can find it on youtube).
It's impossible to put barriers over the whole of the climbs.


I hope that your ideas will never get entry in cycling, my dear friend.
Believe me that Cadel needed all his teammates to win this race. They do a lot more than just get water!
About the last ride (to Paris) it is indeed a tradition that the last race starts after the team of the yellow jersey passed the finish line the first time. Some traditions need to maintain!
I saw a beautiful race yesterday on the Champs Elysées. It was predictable that Cavendish would win, but the last 10 km were thrilling.
This TDF was exciting, better then years ago when it was clear the first week that Indurain or Armstrong would win. I can't speek about the years Merckx ruled the TDF, because I am to young to remember. But I read much about it and older cycling fans tell me that he won with a lot more "panache" and attacks then Indurain or Armstrong. And above all, he won about everything while the two others "just" specialised in the TDF.

I sure hope you will enjoy the races in the future.

Well put.

Pointing out how Merckx would win all the Grand Tours plus lots more in a single season is a good point to make with regards to this year's Tour. I think Contador's poor showing was a result of him putting so much effort into winning the Giro. It goes to show just how special The Cannibal was.

 

[photosbymark]

Actually I fully understand why a lot of people would disagree. I don't disagree that Cadel used his team mates and that's the point. It is why half the field is nothing more than human gophers. That isn't racing in my opinion. Being able to order someone to make life easier for you in the draft is no more racing that having a designated 1 on an F1 team. Been a part of the sport for a very long time, and still is even though its technically illegal. If Cadel wanted to draft, it ought to have been off Contador and not some guy that has no choice but wear himself out running a pace he knows he can not keep up to make life easier for the leader. Team mates are racers and should be trying to win themselves not doing a job.

Actually cycling isn't the only sport where stars are known to be open to the public. You wouldn't have the same access to the sport in your local, but NASCAR stars are far more available than most of the cycling stars, just not where you are and cycling stars are probably more available there than you could expect here. Nascar doesn't go there, and not too many cycling stars here. Yea there is some guy named Lance, George Hincappie is often on cycling podcasts, but the current US stars are often training over in Europe for good reason.

I disagree you couldn't put some type of barrier for a hundred mile course. No you couldn't put a metal barricades the entire route, but ropes would serve the same purpose. Anyone past the ropes is on the way to the gray bar hotel. The last thing that makes a credible race is some fat guy in spandex running along side a highly trained athlete interfering with the event. IF you can't put barriers, you put cops.

This is the first time I have had as much access to video of the TDF. Yeah we heard reports of the Armstrong wins, but that was about it. Versus in the US is a fairly new network, and if cycling was covered live before VS I never heard about it.

Frankly I fully expect this to be the last year I pay this much attention to the tour. It isn't my idea of racing.

 

[Xela]

Being able to order someone to make life easier for you in the draft is no more racing that having a designated 1 on an F1 team. Been a part of the sport for a very long time, and still is even though its technically illegal.

Actually that is no longer correct. Team orders are allowed for 2011 in the sporting regulations, with the latest example not involving the red cars, but Red Bull Racing at the British GP. The radio broadcast of "Hold the position, Mark." was played for the world to hear.

This was one of the most exciting Tours in a long time, in my opinion, and I personally can't wait for next year's.

 

[photosbymark]

You are right Xela. Team orders were allowed at the end of last year according to F1 Live, but it was going on as you well know all while it was supposed to be banned. Seems those red cars get special dispensation. The super legend Mr. Intentional but Instinctive actually had it in his contract and its a lot easier when your team has the best car and your don't have to pass your team mate. A top team should easily be able to race each other without taking each other out.

Guess that is my problem with the whole system at the TDF. People do not race their team mates. They use them. They are not competing with them, the team management orders them around. Can you imagine what Jeff Gordon would tell Rick Hendrick if he were told to move over and let Jimmie Johnson or Dale Jr. win?? I think not. I think I heard somewhere around 150 riders actually finished the tour, but only maybe 30 ever had a chance to really compete.

Though there were some really good moments in the tour, and I got tons of respect for Hoogerland and Flecha.

The whole event came off as an amateurish cluster that was poorly planned. There will have to be some real differences or compelling story lines to make me pay that much attention again. Instead I will just get on my bike and ride rather than watch.

 

[Xela]

I got tons of respect for Hoogerland and Flecha.

Me, too. And I have a tee on the way: Welcome to Hoogerland. Population: Heroes :: StomachOfAnger

 

[flanderscycling]

This is the first time I have had as much access to video of the TDF. Yeah we heard reports of the Armstrong wins, but that was about it. Versus in the US is a fairly new network, and if cycling was covered live before VS I never heard about it.

Frankly I fully expect this to be the last year I pay this much attention to the tour. It isn't my idea of racing.

I think it's just not your sport.....
Altough I like the way you argue on this matter!

I'm watching the tour since I was a kid, I'm 45 now. I also raced in my younger years. Cycling has always been like this since I know it and I hope it will not change. Maybe I'm getting to old.....

 

[M_Wales]

I watched and enjoyed every stage of the race. US teams did great.

Shimano Di2 took 3 of the 4 jerseys FTW.

Cadel Evans (yellow jersey), Andy and Fränk Schleck (runners up), Mark Cavendish (green jersey) and Samuel Sanchez (polka dot jersey)

 

[rola643]

Cavendish vs. The World by Ben Delaney