Originally Posted by
zeo_max
What is the deal with riders NOT wanting to win the first stage saying it is too much pressure because they have to wear the yellow jersey or something ?
That is absolutely incorrect.
Thats just what TV commentators say for fill.
It is the dream of every rider who starts on the line to wear the jersey for at least a day.
It is even more important for the team sponsors to see one of their riders get a yellow jersey.
There are hundreds of tabloids, magazines, TV coverage, interviews and so on that the yellow jersey wearer gets. This is a MAJOR part of what sponsors want.
Stage 2, it doesnt matter weather the yellow jersey team works or not. The reason teams go work on the front on something like stage two if anything is to either keep their "riding sponsor advertiser" in yellow, or, you guessed it, to be on the TV cameras for their team sponsor to see.
The first 5 stages are a sponsors delight. Every team is trying to get the piece of the pie. Its a big show in the first 5 stages (and the rest of the Tour)