I don't understand the scoring????????

andy 3654

I'm new to cycling as a sport and really don't understand how the scoring works, I know a little about the different jerseys but what I'm most confused about is the yellow one.
Yes its for the race leader but when you see it not at the front I don't get.
Please help an IL-informed fool appreciate this sport more.

g00se

It's the rider with the lowest aggregate time so far. There are hill climbers (skinny shorties), sprinters (popeye legs) and time trialists (loners) who will tend to win those types of stages - but aren't much cop at the other types.

The Yellow jersey holder tends to be an all rounder.

http://www.bikeradar.com/racing/article ... ons-17218/

andy 3654

Thanks for the link, should of looked there in first place really.

mk1markfalkirk

excellent link! cheers

ben@31

Thats what make the grand tours so good. Lots of strategy and sportsmanship.

The wearer of the yellow jersey (maillot jaune) does not have to win every stage, he just needs to finish before the second place guy. Its considered unsporting to win a stage you don't need and the other riders will remember it in future. I once saw a pro cyclist shake his head and almost do a track stand than work with another rider (for some reason).

Sometimes rank outsiders will go to the front of the peloton to get some tv time for their sponsors and a bit of publicity, LA said in his book we accept these guys need it for their career and to pay the bills. Then the cyclist out front quickly gets caught by the peloton again.

Road cycling perhaps the only sport I can think of where rival teams will work together to get to the end, by taking it in turns in drafting. Sometimes it can be part of a strategy where teams will work together to stop someone else from winning or they work together to secure 1st and 2nd. I'm sure on one stage of the Espania de Vuelta, a team handed out food to others in order to win them other. An individual cyclist must know he can't do it on his own.

Teams may only be interested in winning one jersey. For example, wanting to win the King of the Mountains. Once the rider has the KOM points he needs, he can relax a little.

It's all the little things like these, the crowds in fancy dress lining the roads and the amazing scenery, that make the grand tours great to watch.

the playing mantis

i have a great website that will give you all the answers you need to questions like this:

www.justfuckinggoogleit.com