Logistics : Grand Tours

Chung Mee

Can we have a conversation about logistics? I have a few questions to ask and it seems quicker than trying to track down answers on the internet.

They're only about organisation, not about teams or riders or past Tours or history.

:?:

Thanks

Chung Mee

34 views and no replies............

For instance, race radio, if that's the right term. Am I right in thinking that riders have an ear-radio and their Team Directors give them a running commentary during each stage, yes?

I don't literally mean "running commentary", I mean guidance, telling them what's up the road ahead, suggestions, tactics, how other riders are doing, etc.

:?:

LangerDan

You see, the problem is that on another thread you post things like this:

Chung Mee wrote:

.I could conduct a class on how Grand Tours work and have done on another messageboard .

so people aren't sure whether you're Angelo Zomegnan, a newbie or another forum member's sock-puppet account.

afx237vi

If you have Eurosport, there is a programme scheduled at 23.00 tonight called "Cycling: Inside the Team - Team Astana". It covers a lot of the things you might be interested in - how riders communicate with their directors during the race, the team meetings, the transfers between stages, the stuff at the hotel and so on.

But yes, each rider has a earpiece that allows them to talk to the team director. They discuss tactics, but also get warnings about the dangers on the road... roundabouts, bridges, narrow roads etc.

Edit: Or what Dan said. Doh...

Chung Mee

LangerDan wrote:

You see, the problem is that on another thread you post things like this:

Chung Mee wrote:

.I could conduct a class on how Grand Tours work and have done on another messageboard .

so people aren't sure whether you're Angelo Zomegnan, a newbie or another forum member's sock-puppet account.

Sigh. I'm sorry that people are misunderstanding me, and from your selected quote it seems fair enough. But this isn't a face to face conversation where I could quickly explain what I meant by that, I have to type it all out.

What I meant by that was this. I have encountered people on MBs elsewhere who had no idea how the TdF worked. I explained that every day was a race within the overall Race, there are different categories of winners/prizes i.e., the Yellow Green Polka Dot White jerseys, explained the time-cut and why and other basic ways in which the TdF works.

I've got all that, and merely wondered if there was any interest in other logistical aspects of Grand Tours.

I am NOT someone else's sock-puppet and am sorry that you would say that to anyone. I've already been called a "troll" in another thread and can only assume that you have had a lot of troublesome people here in the past. I know nothing about that.

I'm just me, and I come here to talk about cycling, not to attract doubt/hositility. :?

Chung Mee

afx237vi wrote:

If you have Eurosport, there is a programme scheduled at 23.00 tonight called "Cycling: Inside the Team - Team Astana". It covers a lot of the things you might be interested in - how riders communicate with their directors during the race, the team meetings, the transfers between stages, the stuff at the hotel and so on.

But yes, each rider has a earpiece that allows them to talk to the team director. They discuss tactics, but also get warnings about the dangers on the road... roundabouts, bridges, narrow roads etc.

Edit: Or what Dan said. Doh...

Thank you for your polite reply, unfortunately 11pm is too late for me. It's a shame I'll miss it.

Regarding your edit, I've replied just now.

stokepa31

Yes they have these radios in their pockets that can be used to talk to the team cars. sometimes when its been suggested they do without them the riders all stage a go slow. some riders even use the radio to order their food for the evening meal.

'hey boss, can you bell the guy back home and get me one of those go faster rib eye steaks'
:roll: for the troll

LangerDan

The Astana clips afx mentioned are available on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/user/ProTeamAstana#p/f

Several of the other squads also do "behind the scenes" clips - either on Youtube or their own sites - which give a good indication of how squads operate.

As for two-way radios between the riders and the team car, do a search on the forum for occasional debates as to why they are essential - or the worst thing to happen to the sport.

("Race Radio" is the term usually used for an short range broadcast signal from the race organisers to all cars, advising of problems, rider time gaps, calling for mechanical assistance etc)

Tusher

Cervelo Test Team produced Beyond the Peloton- highly recommended.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U82lSvva0Ag

deejay

You see the mistake was to say Logistics.
A lot of people don't know what that is and those that do, wonder what you are getting at.
They looked at the thread for a clue to see what you wanted

I thought your thread title was to be about the whole caboodle and how teams have to pack everything and arange transport.
How they are allocated hotels by the tour org. or how team cars are allocated by the tour sponsers.

Then I find it to be a dumb question about ear pieces. (why dumb.? well it's not rocket science to get that info elsewhere.

I don't know much about GT Logistics but as I stayed in the same hotel in Liege as Astana & Katusha, I have found the Eurosport "Inside the Team" of interest.
The A team not being a favourite of mine is now mellowed by their friendly behavour to me in the lift and lobby and car/coach park.
I didn't think to ask about earpieces though.

Over the years I have been in many hotels with Pro Teams staying but never in a GT hotel.

It will be of interest to me, about what you find out with GT Logistics ?

Chung Mee

LangerDan wrote:

The Astana clips afx mentioned are available on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/user/ProTeamAstana#p/f

Several of the other squads also do "behind the scenes" clips - either on Youtube or their own sites - which give a good indication of how squads operate.

As for two-way radios between the riders and the team car, do a search on the forum for occasional debates as to why they are essential - or the worst thing to happen to the sport.

("Race Radio" is the term usually used for an short range broadcast signal from the race organisers to all cars, advising of problems, rider time gaps, calling for mechanical assistance etc)

Thanks for the link which I've bookmarked to view tomorrow.

Chung Mee

Tusher wrote:

Cervelo Test Team produced Beyond the Peloton- highly recommended.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U82lSvva0Ag

Thanks for the link which I've bookmarked to view tomorrow.

Pokerface

Chung Mee wrote:

Thank you for your polite reply, unfortunately 11pm is too late for me. It's a shame I'll miss it.

11:00 is too late? But it's 10:45 and you've just posted!

Chung Mee

deejay wrote:

You see the mistake was to say Logistics.
A lot of people don't know what that is and those that do, wonder what you are getting at.
They looked at the thread for a clue to see what you wanted

I thought your thread title was to be about the whole caboodle and how teams have to pack everything and arange transport.
How they are allocated hotels by the tour org. or how team cars are allocated by the tour sponsers.

Then I find it to be a dumb question about ear pieces. (why dumb.? well it's not rocket science to get that info elsewhere.

Thanks for calling it a dumb question. It was going to be the first of many questions about Logistics - hardly an obscure term - but with that kind of snotty response I really don't think I'll bother any more.

Pokerface

Jesus - just grow a sack and ask whatever questions you want and stop apologizing in advance every time. It's an internet forum - not a classroom. You don't have to raise you hand and ask permission. :roll:

rc856

^ what he said
You post your questions and wait and see if anyone replies.

Another good DVD is Chasing Legends.

Chung Mee

ok, here goes again, another question about Grand Tours.

(a) If someone is going to do the Giro and the Tour, how do they simultaneously have a much needed break, and keep fit for the Tour, since they're only ~4-5 weeks apart?

(b) not that many riders attempt both, do they? As I understand it, most professional riders' teams select them for one or the other, not both.

takethehighroad

a) They don't. Basso, Evans and Vino proved that last year.

b) Several attempt riding both, and a few ride all three in a season. Whether they're competitive in both is a different question

dougzz

Chung Mee wrote:

ok, here goes again, another question about Grand Tours.

(a) If someone is going to do the Giro and the Tour, how do they simultaneously have a much needed break, and keep fit for the Tour, since they're only ~4-5 weeks apart?

(b) not that many riders attempt both, do they? As I understand it, most professional riders' teams select them for one or the other, not both.

(a) They extract blood and re-infuse it at the appropriate times.

(b) If you can afford the best medical advice for (a) then you can do both.

GeorgeShaw

Do we doubt that Contador will be competitive in the Tour?

Will we speculate how come?

pat1cp

Pantani was the last man to do the double in '98.

That alone kind of vindicates some of the comments already made.