Too early for a Tour thread?
Comments
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Re KoM:
It looks to me like whoever is riding well enough for it is likely to be doing well enough in the GC that they won't be interested in it. That doesn't make for an exciting competition. Though recent winners may have won without anyone seeing them do it at least they were actually trying to win it rather than receiving it by default.
It's a shame, as it was always my favourite jersey.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
was wrong, it's on now.0
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‘King of the Mountains’ is just a colloquial name for the winner of the competition, not an official title, and far more commonly used in the UK than in France where they talk more just of who has the polka dot jersey.Rick Chasey wrote:
If he's the best climber, then what's the problem?inkyfingers wrote:
I appreciate that, but it will only work if the riders are actually interested in winning it. It's too early to judge how effective the new system will be, but my feeling is that it will just mean that Contador goes home with the polka dot as well as the yellow jersey.Rick Chasey wrote:
That's why they've changed the points system, to make it better reflect the title of 'king of the mountains'.inkyfingers wrote:I think it's a bit sad that the polka dot jersey is very much the 4th best jersey to be wearing and is either a consolation prize or a way for a little known breakaway specialist to suddenly get some glory. ...
It’s just a competition and whoever uses the right tactics deserves to win. The winner doesn’t have to be the best climber any more than the green jersey winner has to be the best sprinter or in fact the yellow jersey the best overall rider.
As you can guess, I’m not in favour of this change, if anything I’d have gone the other way and increased the points for the cols crossed earlier along a stage.
The changes might now mean fewer real breaks on the mountain stages.
At least it might mean some of the lesser known non-GC contenders riders who can climb a bit might instead try have a go late on and then also take the stage, like De Gendt managed in Switzerland.
Kern might be good bet for this, or Rujano, Feillu or Fedrigo. Or Cunego or Gadret presuming they’re not aiming solely at the GC. Or maybe one of the East Europeans/Russians/Kazakhs. The polka dot may not go to Contador or a Schleck yet.0 -
I hope this happens so the the breaks get the midway points. That way it might mean a rider often in breaks or more associated with the aggressive rider jersey, like Casar, Chavanel, Flecha, or one or two of other Spaniards, start to have a chance at the jersey.RichN95 wrote:
However, I have the opposite view. I think the sprinters teams (by which I really mean HTC) will want quite a big break to go ahead to take the bulk of the IM points thereby maximising the emphasis on the stage result.Gingerflash wrote:Green jersey and sprinters? Couldn't care less to be honest, though it does look like the new system will make for less exciting racing on the flats with the big sprint teams holding everything together all day long, at least to the 1/2 or 2/3 way intermediate, rather than letting the breaks go.
I think the change would have well suited Kim Kirchen, who could climb okay, sprint and TT fine, and also got in the breaks. He could have well competed for green.0 -
Picking up on a discussion regarding Freire's non-participation highlighted in the Startlist thread....
How come a stage with two mountains but a downhill finish can produce the stage of the year in the Tour de Suisse, but a similar profile in the TdF just produces a neutralised transition type days racing?
Has the TdF become too big (or important for the teams/sponsors) for it's own good, and as Oscar says, too boring as a result?Half man, Half bike0 -
Ridgerider wrote:
Has the TdF become too big (or important for the teams/sponsors) for it's own good, and as Oscar says, too boring as a result?
Yes.
In short.0 -
Rick
Fear not....GOT IT
Give the GC to the person who wins the most stages, not on overal time. That way, each stage will be ridden/fought for on it's own merits rather than to protect overall GC timings as at present.
Like Formula 1
Like the Olympic medal table
Like the Premier League
etc
Overall time for the event is completely irrelevant on a multi stage event.
Just give me Pruddie's phone number quick.Half man, Half bike0 -
I think they tried a points-based GC in the early years - what about reintroducing some 400km stages when you have Prudhommme on the phone?0
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Ridgerider wrote:Rick
Fear not....GOT IT
Give the GC to the person who wins the most stages, not on overal time. That way, each stage will be ridden/fought for on it's own merits rather than to protect overall GC timings as at present.
Like Formula 1
Like the Olympic medal table
Like the Premier League
etc
Overall time for the event is completely irrelevant on a multi stage event.
Just give me Pruddie's phone number quick.
Haha I've said something similar before. You're only eligible for the final GC classification if you've won a stage. So it's still GC, but you get crazy racing by the end.0 -
"Git yer conspiracy theories here"!
Astana just tweeted :
about 3 hours: Pro Team Astana Guys having training before Tour de France in Saint Moritz (Switzerland)
Timoid will have a field day!'This week I 'ave been mostly been climbing like Basso - Shirley Basso.'0 -
The Mad Rapper wrote:RichN95 wrote:Not as far as I know, but it's been reported that Sagan won't be doing the Tour and will be at the Vuelta.
Aah, thanks.
Watched Stage 3 of the TdS last night - was amazed at his climbing ability for someone with such a large frame. Amazing way to win the stage.
big bloke+amazing win=drugs
Disclaimer: I'm very cynical, he's not that big (6 feet tall but 73 kilos).0 -
Perhaps but he was in the break of the day and Cunego only passed the remnants of it with about 500m of the final climb to go...Pirahna wrote:The Mad Rapper wrote:RichN95 wrote:Not as far as I know, but it's been reported that Sagan won't be doing the Tour and will be at the Vuelta.
Aah, thanks.
Watched Stage 3 of the TdS last night - was amazed at his climbing ability for someone with such a large frame. Amazing way to win the stage.
big bloke+amazing win=drugs
Disclaimer: I'm very cynical, he's not that big (6 feet tall but 73 kilos).0 -
Flipping 'idea' sucker!Rick Chasey wrote:
Haha I've said something similar before.
Go get yer own. :PHalf man, Half bike0 -
Ridgerider wrote:
Flipping 'idea' sucker!Rick Chasey wrote:
Haha I've said something similar before.
Go get yer own. :P
Haha, I am the Pozzato of ideas I admit.0 -
The problem is both that the TdF is too big and important and that it's become heavily biased towards the climbers. The solution is to trim down the mountains and increase long hilly stages that would favour the classics riders. That would open the GC up, making it harder to control the race.
I'd also be in favour of splitting the longer mountain stages in two and riding them both on the same day.
It's not what the general public would want though.Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
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if KOM had stayed the same would of fancied De Gendteating parmos since 1981
Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
Cervelo P5 EPS
www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=130387990 -
frenchfighter wrote:
Two observations...
Wiggins looks bloody lean.
Cavendish is wearing Mark Renshaws jersey."I have a lovely photo of a Camargue horse but will not post it now" (Frenchfighter - July 2013)0 -
I like Tyler's scabby elbows in this pic (REAL cyclist's elbows):
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/photos/procycling-magazine-tour-de-france-2011-cover-shoot/178919
but WTF is going on with his right knee in this one?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/photos/procycling-magazine-tour-de-france-2011-cover-shoot/178921point your handlebars towards the heavens and sweat like you're in hell0 -
So,I've gone for Tony Martin to finish top ten at 8/1 and Tom Danielson top ten at 16/1.
Both long shots, but I reckon good value.
Anyone else putting their money where their mouth is?!
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Got Evans at 24/1
Gonna go each way on Gesink too.http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....0 -
durhamwasp wrote:Got Evans at 24/1
Gonna go each way on Gesink too.
Snap on Gesink - forgot to mention that. 40/1 - niiiiice. Think they've shortened a bit now.0 -
Abdoujaparov wrote:So,I've gone for Tony Martin to finish top ten at 8/1 and Tom Danielson top ten at 16/1.
Both long shots, but I reckon good value.
Anyone else putting their money where their mouth is?!
I don't think Martin offers good value but Danielson is definately worth a fiver.0 -
Pross wrote:Abdoujaparov wrote:So,I've gone for Tony Martin to finish top ten at 8/1 and Tom Danielson top ten at 16/1.
Both long shots, but I reckon good value.
Anyone else putting their money where their mouth is?!
I don't think Martin offers good value but Danielson is definitely worth a fiver.
Surely there's a greater than 15 per cent chance Martin will finish top ten? He climbs well when he's in form and he's set his entire season up targeting GC at the tour. The Cav factor could be his undoing, but I'm still feeling pretty good about that bet.0 -
Abdoujaparov wrote:Pross wrote:Abdoujaparov wrote:So,I've gone for Tony Martin to finish top ten at 8/1 and Tom Danielson top ten at 16/1.
Both long shots, but I reckon good value.
Anyone else putting their money where their mouth is?!
I don't think Martin offers good value but Danielson is definitely worth a fiver.
Surely there's a greater than 15 per cent chance Martin will finish top ten? He climbs well when he's in form and he's set his entire season up targeting GC at the tour. The Cav factor could be his undoing, but I'm still feeling pretty good about that bet.
I'd be surprised if Martin was top 10.0 -
I'd be surprised if Martin is top 100.
But good luck anyway 0 -
Would have had a bet, but just spent £14 on the official Tour Souvenir Pack and Cycling weekly :shock: and its only going to get worse...0
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patchy wrote:but WTF is going on with his right knee in this one?
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/photos/procycling-magazine-tour-de-france-2011-cover-shoot/178921
Its called muscle0 -
Put a bet on Cadel to win at 9/1 on the without Contador market some time ago. Bloody stupid idea that was when he is now availble at more than double that.
Also another shocker for a completely different reason was Xavier Tondo at 80/1 each way some months ago.
Dont see a lot of value in the top 10 markets- maybe Ryder?0
