Professional Cycling For the Fans - Obviously I know nothing..

But can someone explain to me how Armstrong can go through two stages and still be exactly 38 seconds ahead. I obviously don't get it, but it seems mathematically impossible. That would mean Rassmussen would had to have crossed the finish line tied with Lance two days straight.

BTW - one post pointing out my ignorance is enough. No need to gang up on me.

When riders finish in a group, they are all awarded the same time as the first rider in that group... as long as there are no gaps of over a second between two riders.

Look back through some stage results and you will see in some cases 180 riders all finishing 00:00 back from the stage winner.

It's done mostly to prevent dangerous finishes with dozens of riders fighting for individual seconds.

And its always been that way, since 100 years ago, they didn't have electronic timing etc...

So that means Rassmussen kept up with LA and finished within a second of him?

finished in the same bunch as him... if the peleton was split into 2 groups, with there being say 1.5seconds between them, then the first part of the peleton would get say 00.00.00 and the second part would get 00.01.50... or somethign like that

So that means Rassmussen kept up with LA and finished within a second of him?

Given Rasmutten's rep he was probably moochin Lance's wheel and finished with him. Watch tomorrow, I think that will change and you can watch them finish at different times.

Given Rasmutten's rep he was probably moochin Lance's wheel and finished with him. Watch tomorrow, I think that will change and you can watch them finish at different times.

I wouldn't be so sure. To hang on Armstrong's wheel you have to be a pretty decent rider. He may be hard to shake, or he may be ready to crack, but he sure looks at ease. I hope he gets a podium finish, but not first.

Richard

So that means Rassmussen kept up with LA and finished within a second of him?
Yes. But don't forget that many stages are not strongly contested by the leader. They do just enough to have exactly this scenario occur. And in flatter stages - such as yesterday - it is routine for most of the riders to finish in a single group. Except for the sprinters and their support.

When the peloton passed us at 104 Km to go, the lead five were seven minutes ahead, then the peloton, and not 300 meters later came the "Fin de Course" van. No stragglers whatsoever. We have seen that a few times.

Given Rasmutten's rep he was probably moochin Lance's wheel and finished with him. Watch tomorrow, I think that will change and you can watch them finish at different times.

I didn't see Lance out there pulling a whole lot of people. Seems like Lance was moochin a whole lot of Disco wheel. Seems like he does that a lot.

You remember Rasmussens 2 hour 76 k solo ride and victory in Mulhouse? When was the last time Lance rode that far alone on a non TT stage?

Oh yeah, nice nickname for Rasmussen. You in 5th grade?

Given Rasmutten's rep he was probably moochin Lance's wheel and finished with him. Watch tomorrow, I think that will change and you can watch them finish at different times.
seriously, what are you talking about.
Everyone "mooches" wheels. If all you can do it follow, thats a hell of a lot better than just saying "naw, im not going to sit on a wheel today"