Professional Cycling - Please explain this Pozzato quote to me

"I'm sorry, because when I knew that Vinokourov had fallen, I was tempted to ask my team to slow down and wait for him," Pozzato said. "Maybe there is less respect for the big riders than there once was.

"When I started in cycling there was a very clear hierarchy, and I was afraid to get too close to (Lance) Armstrong. ... I always stayed 3 meters back and never got too close. Maybe there's no more of that."

What does this mean and, if the attitude is/was prevalent, what are/were the practical effects on a race?

Thanks

Interesting he brought up Armstrong in his quote since LA wasn't all too sportsmanlike in those situations (Zulle and Mayo).

ps - Please don't bring up how he waited for Jan with a 4+ minute lead.

Interesting he brought up Armstrong in his quote since LA wasn't all too sportsmanlike in those situations (Zulle and Mayo).

ps - Please don't bring up how he waited for Jan with a 4+ minute lead.
Or how Lance whined that Jan only waited for Lance when Tyler made Jan wait.
It's amazing how much mileage he got from that meaningless gesture.

It's amazing how much mileage he got from that meaningless gesture.

Jan or Lance?

Armstrong was kinda the bully of the peloton anyway. Seeing how he acted towards others like Simeoni and McEwen, im not surprised no one wanted to cross him. Frankly i think this is a good thing. The entire peloton was too willing to roll over and play dead for lance. Now they arent giving any favors and GC is going to be fought tooth and nail.

As long as there isnt a blatant attack directly from the other top GC men while another is down, i dont think its poor form. Asking the entire pack to slow down during the first week for a guy who isnt even in the top ten is kinda silly.

Besdies, i think a somewhat similar thing happened to lance during the first week of the '02 or '03 tour. He went down (not injured) and had to wait for a new wheel in the last few KM of the stage. he sprinted back but lost about 30 seconds. the entire peloton did not grind to a halt.

The peloton was already racing hard when Vino fell. Why should they stop or slow down. Tough **** Vino.

While I want Vino to do well, the peleton DID purposely try to distance him. There was no question of that. And I think that Vino will not complain, because frankly it is a good race move. Vino is a great rider and was expected to have a great shot at winning. Disco sends popo to do some damage. vino is not in Yellow. While it is perhaps not the MOST sportsmanlike thing, there are money and sponsors involved. And it is not a Sunday ice cream ride.