Just curious if anyone has ever seen in the TdF a team support car give water to a rider on another team.

During 2004, U.S. Postal and other teams gave a lot of water and food to Thomas Voeckler and his team while he was defending the yellow jersey. I'm not sure when the rule changed but I think it had something to do with the position of the team cars in relation to their Pro-Tour standings. Since U.S. Postal was ranked higher as a team, they were able to have a car closer to the front of the race, where Voeckler needed to be.

I can't imagine ANY of the teams denying any rider food and water if he asks or clearly needs something; especially knowing that one of your own riders might be in trouble someday and need the same help.

But to answer your question specifically, yes - I often saw someone in the U.S. Postal car handing water to Voeckler.

That's sportsmanship.

It is not unheard of at all. Food and drink should never be deined at all. Regardless of teams or ethics.

I learned this in cycling and the military!!

S/F<
CEYA!
Strength and Honor!!

I've also seen riders give other riders water and team cars taking helmets and clothes from another teams riders.

Yes. Happens all the time. What goes around....

Drinks/food are also shared between riders on different teams.

Yes. Happens all the time. What goes around....

Drinks/food are also shared between riders on different teams.

Just don't share needles! :D

Bob

Just don't share needles! :D

Bob


lol...

Just don't share needles! :D

Bob


Man, will it ever end?:D

Unless specifically prohibited by specific races, sharing of generic items, is sometimes done between teams or neutral support, if you have the opportunity to, and your own support can't get to you. Most riders though have special requirements hence need their own food/bottles.

The other rule today being you can't ingest anything offered by the public, even water, (you wouldn't want to), as was done in the past.

i swear I saw a random person the other day with a feedbag on a short climb.

i swear I saw a random person the other day with a feedbag on a short climb.

No way! That 'random person' dressed in a t-shirt and shorts you saw was most probably a soigneur, one of 2-3 in the team, who also started his/her day filling 100 bottles, preparing 20 musettes, ...getting yelled at later in the day for not filling some domestique's wish list correctly (some cake his mom sent earlier) :)

ive also seen some footage of lance with Quick Step arm warmers on..