Last year I started a thread inspired by the unfortunate malfunctions suffered by Rasmussen. The King of the Malfunctions jersey is a blue kevlar jersey with one sleeve missing, dotted with graphics of various malfunctions. Someone supplied a cool graphic last year - can anyone find it?

How does one accumulate points for the Blue Jersey?

Mechanical adjustment by team mechanic while bike is still moving - 1 point
Mechanical problem that stops the bike - 2 points
Flat tire or wheel change - 3 points
Bike change - 4 points

The first winner of the Blue Jersey in the 2006 Tour de France is Floyd Landis, who missed the starting bell in today's prologue due to a mechanical problem.

Current Standings: Floyd Landis - 2 points

What exactly was the mechanical problem? They didn't say on OLN this morning. Do groupies count as malfunctions? (I'm kidding. I'm sure Floyd is a paragon of virtue.)

What exactly was the mechanical problem? They didn't say on OLN this morning. Do groupies count as malfunctions? (I'm kidding. I'm sure Floyd is a paragon of virtue.)



A sliced tire forced a last second wheel change (Anyone else thinking sabatoge?)... Nonetheless, it looks like it should be 3 points to Landis...

Are we positive that a tire slice is the real reason ... and not just the "official" one?

does thor get a point for being stabbed? -- or do you want to measure only bike related probs?

Are we positive that a tire slice is the real reason ... and not just the "official" one?

I think I saw pictures of mechanics replacing his wheel... so the conspiracy if there is one is not a particularly exciting one.

Floyd Landis was awarded one extra point when it was learned that his delay in starting yerterday's prologue was caused by a wheel change. Thanks, frischtr!

The Blue Jersey is for bike malfunctions only, godspiral. Rider injuries need a new (red?) jersey.

At the end of the first stage, we have a tie, but Floyd keeps the Blue Jersey:

Floyd Landis - 3 points
Vyacheslav Ekimov - 3 points

Floyd Landis was awarded one extra point when it was learned that his delay in starting yerterday's prologue was caused by a wheel change. Thanks, frischtr!

The Blue Jersey is for bike malfunctions only, godspiral. Rider injuries need a new (red?) jersey.

At the end of the first stage, we have a tie, but Floyd keeps the Blue Jersey:

Floyd Landis - 3 points
Vyacheslav Ekimov - 3 points

What's the tiebreaker that give the jersey to Floyd?

What happened to Eki? (My #^&*$ toob has chosen this weekend to go on the fritz.)

What happened to Eki? (My #^&*$ toob has chosen this weekend to go on the fritz.)

Had a flat during today's stage.

What's the tiebreaker that give the jersey to Floyd?

Just the fact that he has it already. To take the Blue Jersey away from someone, you have to have MORE points than they do.

Just the fact that he has it already. To take the Blue Jersey away from someone, you have to have MORE points than they do.

Gonna need a further tiebreaker. Someday the second and third place guys are both going to vault into a lead for the tie past the previous day's leader. Also, how are we going to resolve a tie for third-do both guys end up on the podium?

Gonna need a further tiebreaker. Someday the second and third place guys are both going to vault into a lead for the tie past the previous day's leader. Also, how are we going to resolve a tie for third-do both guys end up on the podium?

Well, if that actually happens, I'm counting on you to help resolve the tie. By the way, only one person can wear the Blue Jersey, so there is no reward for second, third, or any other place.

The reward would be not to have to wear the jersey. That oughta be enuff.

During stage 2 the T-Mobile rider Serhiy Honchar punctured, as did an unidentified Milram rider. Anyone know who it was or have any other malfunctions to report?

At the end of Stage 2, the competition is heating up, but Floyd Landis keeps the Blue Jersey.

Standings:
Floyd Landis - 3 points
Vyacheslav Ekimov - 3 points
Serhiy Honchar - 3 points

Well, if that actually happens, I'm counting on you to help resolve the tie. By the way, only one person can wear the Blue Jersey, so there is no reward for second, third, or any other place.

C'mon, We gotta have a complete podium.

meb - from the looks of your avatar, I can see why you want a complete podium! Malfunctions seem to be your forte'. Do I detect a little jealousy because you cannot compete for the Blue Jersey yourself? ;)

I propose that when multiple riders have the same number of points, they will be ranked chronologically; that is, the higher ranking goes to him who suffered his malfunction first. That is the way I have been doing it so far.

meb - from the looks of your avatar, I can see why you want a complete podium! Malfunctions seem to be your forte'. Do I detect a little jealousy because you cannot compete for the Blue Jersey yourself? ;)

I propose that when multiple riders have the same number of points, they will be ranked chronologically; that is, the higher ranking goes to him who suffered his malfunction first. That is the way I have been doing it so far.

Sounds good. I think you should include fans gashing open your arm during a sprint in the catagory.

And Thor should get a point for today's stage for unclipping out of his pedal during the sprint. At least a point....

Sounds good...snip...And Thor should get a point for today's stage for unclipping out of his pedal during the sprint. At least a point....

Hmm...my first thought regarding the pedal was "User Error", not a malfunction, but I suppose it could have been worn or out of adjustment. It DID malfunction, and it WAS mechanical. According to the original rules posted last year, an adjustment issue that can be resolved by the team mechanic without stopping the bike does qualify for 1 point. So let's give it to him and clarify the rules accordingly:

Mechanical problem resolved while the bike is moving - 1 point
Mechanical problem that stops the bike - 2 points
Flat tire or wheel change - 3 points
Total bike change - 4 points

Standings after stage 2:
Floyd Landis - 3 points (wheel change)
Vyacheslav Ekimov - 3 points (wheel change)
Serhiy Honchar - 3 points (wheel change)
Thor Hushovd - 1 point (cleat unclipped)

Anyone figure out who the unidentified Milram rider was who had a puncture today?

Cool!

Hmm...my first thought regarding the pedal was "User Error", not a malfunction, but I suppose it could have been worn or out of adjustment. It DID malfunction, and it WAS mechanical. According to the original rules posted last year, an adjustment issue that can be resolved by the team mechanic without stopping the bike does qualify for 1 point. So let's give it to him and clarify the rules accordingly:

Mechanical problem resolved while the bike is moving - 1 point
Mechanical problem that stops the bike - 2 points
Flat tire or wheel change - 3 points
Total bike change - 4 points

Standings after stage 2:
Floyd Landis - 3 points (wheel change)
Vyacheslav Ekimov - 3 points (wheel change)
Serhiy Honchar - 3 points (wheel change)
Thor Hushovd - 1 point (cleat unclipped)

Anyone figure out who the unidentified Milram rider was who had a puncture today?

Any way to weight these points? Somehow the teams with the bigger budgets should get more points when things go wrong... they should have better equipment, more mechanics, etc.

Punctures are kind of odd for this. I like that Floyd has 3 points for a punture prior to a start, but a puncture during the ride is kind of chance... seems you should be awarding folks who don't take care of equipment, or do stupid stuff with fit / etc.

Will anyone top Rasmussen from last year? He wracked so many points in that 1 TT he should definitely be tested for illegal substances.

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

We have a new King of the Malfunctions - It's Nicolas Portal

How did that happen? After searching a few of the on-line race reports with some choice key-words, I discovered he had a problem in Stage 1 that resulted in a bike change. Eki's puncture about an hour later also resulted in a bike change, so here are the revised standings after Stage 2:

Nicolas Portal - 4 points (bike change after unknown problem)
Vyacheslav Ekimov - 4 points (bike change after puncture)
Floyd Landis - 3 points (wheel change)
Serhiy Honchar - 3 points (wheel change)
Thor Hushovd - 1 point (cleat unclipped)

meb - from the looks of your avatar, I can see why you want a complete podium! Malfunctions seem to be your forte'. Do I detect a little jealousy because you cannot compete for the Blue Jersey yourself? ;)

I propose that when multiple riders have the same number of points, they will be ranked chronologically; that is, the higher ranking goes to him who suffered his malfunction first. That is the way I have been doing it so far.


Perhaps more empathy than jealousy.

As for most recent first, along those lines, how about the earlier most recent malfunction first, and the next tie breaker the chronologically earliest previous malfunction?

We need a ruling....

What happens when one rider has a flat or other mechanical stoppage and a teammate stops and swaps out a wheel with the other rider. Now that teammate is stopped on the side of the road with a bad wheel until the team car shows up. Do both riders get points? This happened today in todays stage....

There was a lot of competition in Stage 3 for the King of the Malfunctions Blue Jersey...

The following riders received 3 points each (in this order) for punctures resulting in wheel changes:
Rik Verbrugghe, Victor Hugo Pena, Carlos da Cruz, Bjorn Schroeder, Inaki Isasi, Christian Van de Velde, Iban Mayo, and Sandy Casar.

Note: Iban Mayo got his wheel from his teammate Isasi, who had himself received a wheel change 20 minutes earlier. Even though Isasi stopped twice (once due to his own flat and once due to Mayo's), he gets 3 points because the second time he stopped was an act of charity, not a mechanical problem. A rider can earn points only for their own mechanical problems!

Other mechanical problems:
Benoit Vaugrenard (unknown mechanical, 2 points)
Tom Boonen (low tire, 1 point)

Standings After Stage 3:
Leader: Nicolas Portal - 4 points (bike change after unknown problem)
Vyacheslav Ekimov - 4 points (bike change after puncture)
Floyd Landis - 3 points (wheel change)
Serhiy Honchar - 3 points (wheel change)
Rik Verbrugghe - 3 points (wheel change)
Victor Hugo Pena - 3 points (wheel change)
Carlos da Cruz - 3 points (wheel change)
Bjorn Schroeder - 3 points (wheel change)
Inaki Isasi - 3 points (wheel change)
Christian Van de Velde - 3 points (wheel change)
Iban Mayo - 3 points (wheel change)
Sandy Casar - 3 points (wheel change)
Benoit Vaugrenard - 2 points (unknown mechanical)
Thor Hushovd - 1 point (cleat unclipped)
Tom Boonen - 1 point (low tire)

Thor Hushovd - 1 point (cleat unclipped)

I don't see how unclipping from your own cleat counts. I thought Hushovd unclipped because he brushed McEwen's wheel and needed to stay upright; not because it malfunctioned.

C'mon, We gotta have a complete podium.

Why? They don't have one for the Sprinter, KotM or Young Rider...

I don't see how unclipping from your own cleat counts. I thought Hushovd unclipped because he brushed McEwen's wheel and needed to stay upright; not because it malfunctioned.

Like I posted yesterday, my first reaction about the pedal was "User Error", not a malfunction, but later I thought it might have been worn, damaged, or out of adjustment. My perception is that it DID malfunction (failed to hold his cleat in when he wanted it to), and it WAS mechanical. According to the original rules posted last year, an adjustment issue that can be resolved by the team mechanic (or the rider himself) without stopping the bike does qualify for 1 point. So I gave him 1 point.

Would you like to lodge a formal protest? ;)

That for the clarification on the Mayo wheel swap, JavaMan.

I think the Hushovd point is valid. The guy had a cleat/pedal malfunction mere meters from the finish during an important sprint. His specialty. I think the situation adds to why he deserves at least a point.

I wonder if we'll see another Rasmussen performance. Or if someone will have bike fall apart on them like Hincampie had earlier this season.

Landis now our virtual leader on the road with another wheel change. Can Portal answer?

Hey, this competition is really heating up.

Hey, Zabel's flat with a kilometer to go raises the question: if there are special rules for timing when there are crashes in the last 3 kilometers, should there be extra points for malfunctions in the last one, two, or three kilometers?

Getting taken out by a drunken fan - 1000 points
Having other spectators try and steal your wheels while you're stopped - 500.

I don't think anyone is going to catch Mr. Casar this season :)
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2006/jul06/jul05news4

Landis now our virtual leader on the road with another wheel change. Can Portal answer?

Hey, this competition is really heating up.

:lol: This is turning out to be a lot of fun!

Hey, Zabel's flat with a kilometer to go raises the question: if there are special rules for timing when there are crashes in the last 3 kilometers, should there be extra points for malfunctions in the last one, two, or three kilometers?

Maybe in the case where a tie needs to be broken?

Who will be the next King of the Malfunctions?

Stage 4 Malfunctions:
Michael Rogers - flat
Floyd Landis - flat
Robbie McEwen - mech
Jose' Luis Arrieta - flat
Erik Zabel - flat

Overall Standings:
New Leader: Floyd Landis - 6 points (2 wheel changes)
Nicolas Portal - 4 points (bike change after unknown problem)
Vyacheslav Ekimov - 4 points (bike change after puncture)
Serhiy Honchar - 3 points (wheel change)
Rik Verbrugghe - 3 points (wheel change)
Victor Hugo Pena - 3 points (wheel change)
Carlos da Cruz - 3 points (wheel change)
Bjorn Schroeder - 3 points (wheel change)
Inaki Isasi - 3 points (wheel change)
Christian Van de Velde - 3 points (wheel change)
Iban Mayo - 3 points (wheel change)
Sandy Casar - 3 points (wheel change)
Michael Rogers - 3 points (wheel change)
Jose' Luis Arrieta - 3 points (wheel change)
Erik Zabel - 3 points (wheel change)
Benoit Vaugrenard - 2 points (unknown mechanical)
Robbie McEwen - 2 points (unknown mechanical)
Thor Hushovd - 1 point (cleat unclipped)
Tom Boonen - 1 point (low tire)

During the broadcast the commentators said that McEwen might have stopped for a nature break. But I didn't hear if they confirmed the stop was a mechanical or nature break.

During the broadcast the commentators said that McEwen might have stopped for a nature break. But I didn't hear if they confirmed the stop was a mechanical or nature break.

from cyclingnews.com live report:

16:37 CEST
Robbie McEwen has a mechanical and has stopped to get it fixed. Looks like it was some plastic object in his derailleur. Two Davitamon teammates take him back to the bunch - he'll be fine and I I'm sure Boonen is waiting for him!

Like I posted yesterday, my first reaction about the pedal was "User Error", not a malfunction, but later I thought it might have been worn, damaged, or out of adjustment. My perception is that it DID malfunction (failed to hold his cleat in when he wanted it to), and it WAS mechanical. According to the original rules posted last year, an adjustment issue that can be resolved by the team mechanic (or the rider himself) without stopping the bike does qualify for 1 point. So I gave him 1 point.

Would you like to lodge a formal protest? ;)

:) well, yeah - with my FISTS OF FURY! :)

from cyclingnews.com live report:

16:37 CEST
Robbie McEwen has a mechanical and has stopped to get it fixed. Looks like it was some plastic object in his derailleur. Two Davitamon teammates take him back to the bunch - he'll be fine and I I'm sure Boonen is waiting for him!


You da man, JavaMan...:D

American David Zabriskie rocketed into 4th place today. Two Americans in the top 5!

Malfunctions in Stage 5:
Laurent Brochard (flat)
Samuel Dumoulin (unknown mech stop)
Dave Zabriskie (flat and rolling radio adjustment)
Martin Perdiguero (debris in derailer fixed without stop)
Stuart O'Grady (flat)
An unknown T Mobile rider flatted. Anyone know who it was?

Overall Standings:
Leader: Floyd Landis - 6 points (2 wheel changes)
Nicolas Portal - 4 points (bike change after unknown problem)
Vyacheslav Ekimov - 4 points (bike change after puncture)
Dave Zabriskie - 4 points (wheel change, rolling radio adjustment)
Serhiy Honchar - 3 points (wheel change)
Rik Verbrugghe - 3 points (wheel change)
Victor Hugo Pena - 3 points (wheel change)
Carlos da Cruz - 3 points (wheel change)
Bjorn Schroeder - 3 points (wheel change)
Inaki Isasi - 3 points (wheel change)
Christian Van de Velde - 3 points (wheel change)
Iban Mayo - 3 points (wheel change)
Sandy Casar - 3 points (wheel change)
Michael Rogers - 3 points (wheel change)
Jose' Luis Arrieta - 3 points (wheel change)
Erik Zabel - 3 points (wheel change)
Laurent Brochard - 3 points (wheel change)
Stuart O'Grady - 3 points (wheel change)
Benoit Vaugrenard - 2 points (unknown mech stop)
Robbie McEwen - 2 points (debris in derailer)
Samuel Dumoulin - 2 points (unknown mech stop)
Thor Hushovd - 1 point (cleat unclipped)
Tom Boonen - 1 point (low tire)
Martin Perdiguero - 1 point (debris in derailer)

With the TT coming, I'd like to suggest an addition to your scoring. With some frequency, riders have the problem of having their handlebars or seat post come loose. The rider seldom stops for that kind of thing, but it really does detract from their performance. There's no accounting for that in your scoring. While it seems in some respects similar to your 1-pointer, it also seems like it should be more than 1 point, maybe even more than 2 because the rider can't draft back into the peloton after it's fixed (thereby essentially eliminating most effects of the malfunction). Seems like a 3-pointer to me.

harlond - Good suggestion! I agree that during a time trial, the effects of any malfunction are magnified. Same situation in a breakaway, a sprint, or an important mountain stage. Any time the stakes are high, and there are many situations like that during any stage, a malfunction could be disastrous.

I would rather not put myself in the position of trying to weight any given malfunction according to what effect it had on the rider's concentration or chances of winning something. On the other hand, I would be willing to effect some very simple rule, such as: All points are doubled in a time trial

One effect of a rule like this is that Floyd Landis would immediately enjoy a bigger lead because his first wheel change happened in the Prologue, which is a time trial. Anyone have a problem with that?

Any other comments? I'm inclined to go ahead with the "2X TT" rule unless anyone has a compelling argument against. Comments, please!

Hey, you can't change the point scoring rules in the middle of a race...jeez ;)

Hey, you can't change the point scoring rules in the middle of a race...jeez ;)

It's very satisfying to be able to make or break a cyclist's carreer with the touch of a few keys!

Yeah, I agree with worker, at least in part. Also, I think doubling doesn't directly address the problem. In a time trial, any non-wheel related malfunction that cannot be ridden through is going to result in a bike change for 4 points, maximum score. Any wheel problem is going to result in a wheel change for 3 points, near-maximum score. A rider can't get a 1 point score, because the mechanic in the car isn't allowed to grab the bike while he makes a repair, and a rider won't get a 2 point score, because he'll almost always change bikes rather than take time to fix something. A rider who has a malfunction in a TT generally will get near-maximum points. So the problem in my view isn't that the points assigned are off, but that the TT presents a kind of malfunction that isn't accounted for at all, that being the malfunction you simply ride through, but not without cost in time. On reflection, 3 points might even be too many here--after all, if the rider doesn't think a bike change or wheel change is warranted, who are we to argue?--but I think an additional scoring category may be justified.

Eric Zabel moves into 2nd place on a slow day for malfunctions!

Stage 6 Malfunctions:
Oscar Friere, Erik Zabel, and Jimmy Casper had punctures. There were no other malfunctions.

Overall Standings:
Leader: Floyd Landis - 6 points (2 wheel changes)
Erik Zabel - 6 points (2 wheel changes)
Nicolas Portal - 4 points (bike change after unknown problem)
Vyacheslav Ekimov - 4 points (bike change after puncture)
Dave Zabriskie - 4 points (wheel change, rolling radio adjustment)
Serhiy Honchar - 3 points (wheel change)
Rik Verbrugghe - 3 points (wheel change)
Victor Hugo Pena - 3 points (wheel change)
Carlos da Cruz - 3 points (wheel change)
Bjorn Schroeder - 3 points (wheel change)
Inaki Isasi - 3 points (wheel change)
Christian Van de Velde - 3 points (wheel change)
Iban Mayo - 3 points (wheel change)
Sandy Casar - 3 points (wheel change)
Michael Rogers - 3 points (wheel change)
Jose' Luis Arrieta - 3 points (wheel change)
Laurent Brochard - 3 points (wheel change)
Stuart O'Grady - 3 points (wheel change)
Jimmy Casper - 3 points (wheel change)
Oscar Friere - 3 points (wheel change)
Benoit Vaugrenard - 2 points (unknown mech stop)
Robbie McEwen - 2 points (debris in derailer)
Samuel Dumoulin - 2 points (unknown mech stop)
Thor Hushovd - 1 point (cleat unclipped)
Tom Boonen - 1 point (low tire)
Martin Perdiguero - 1 point (debris in derailer)

Oooo Floyd's gonna get nailed for his bike change in the TT today.

There's a long way to go, but Floyd is looking strong.

Floyd Landis Keeps Blue Jersey - Extends Lead!

Landis changed bikes in the first few kilometers because of a cracked handlebar.

Overall Standings:
Leader: Floyd Landis - 10 points (2 wheel changes, 1 bike change)
Erik Zabel - 6 points (2 wheel changes)
Nicolas Portal - 4 points (bike change after unknown problem)
Vyacheslav Ekimov - 4 points (bike change after puncture)
Dave Zabriskie - 4 points (wheel change, rolling radio adjustment)
Serhiy Honchar - 3 points (wheel change)
Rik Verbrugghe - 3 points (wheel change)
Victor Hugo Pena - 3 points (wheel change)
Carlos da Cruz - 3 points (wheel change)
Bjorn Schroeder - 3 points (wheel change)
Inaki Isasi - 3 points (wheel change)
Christian Van de Velde - 3 points (wheel change)
Iban Mayo - 3 points (wheel change)
Sandy Casar - 3 points (wheel change)
Michael Rogers - 3 points (wheel change)
Jose' Luis Arrieta - 3 points (wheel change)
Laurent Brochard - 3 points (wheel change)
Stuart O'Grady - 3 points (wheel change)
Jimmy Casper - 3 points (wheel change)
Oscar Friere - 3 points (wheel change)
Benoit Vaugrenard - 2 points (unknown mech stop)
Robbie McEwen - 2 points (debris in derailer)
Samuel Dumoulin - 2 points (unknown mech stop)
Thor Hushovd - 1 point (cleat unclipped)
Tom Boonen - 1 point (low tire)
Martin Perdiguero - 1 point (debris in derailer)