Road Cycling - How does the Tour de France work?

I did a search but found nothing on this. How does the Tour de France work. Specifically, I am wondering how each riding team operates with respect to the rider who takes credit for the win? For example, why does Lance get credit for winning, and not the whole US Postal team? Is it because he finishes in the least time? Do his team members trade in and out and not ride the whole race? Are they there so he can draft? Is it possible for one of his other teammates to win? I get the impression some days are distance/team, and other days are solo/high-speed/short?

Thanks.

I did a search but found nothing on this. How does the Tour de France work. Specifically, I am wondering how each riding team operates with respect to the rider who takes credit for the win? For example, why does Lance get credit for winning, and not the whole US Postal team? Is it because he finishes in the least time? Do his team members trade in and out and not ride the whole race? Are they there so he can draft? Is it possible for one of his other teammates to win? I get the impression some days are distance/team, and other days are solo/high-speed/short?

Thanks.

Ok, I'll take the bait and assume that this is an honest question. All of the riders that race have their own seperate times. These times are added together (including various time bonuses) and the rider with the lowest overall score wins the gc (general classification) yellow jersey/maillot jeune. That is why one can say that Lance, Hinault, Jan, etc... has won the tour, they finished the race in the least time. The team members are there to help the leader (Lance, Tyler, Roberto, Jan/Zabel, etc...) by controlling the peloton and going through normal team tactics. Another person on the team can win the gc, although the team manager will only rarely give someone other than the team leader the go ahead to go for the gc (for an example look to this years Giro.) For more information try the Tour De France's official website: http://www.letour.fr

Good TDF link (http://www.velonews.com/tour2004/news/articles/6359.0.html)

Ok, I'll take the bait and assume that this is an honest question. All of the riders that race have their own seperate times. These times are added together (including various time bonuses) and the rider with the lowest overall score wins the gc (general classification) yellow jersey/maillot jeune. That is why one can say that Lance, Hinault, Jan, etc... has won the tour, they finished the race in the least time. The team members are there to help the leader (Lance, Tyler, Roberto, Jan/Zabel, etc...) by controlling the peloton and going through normal team tactics. Another person on the team can win the gc, although the team manager will only rarely give someone other than the team leader the go ahead to go for the gc (for an example look to this years Giro.) For more information try the Tour De France's official website: http://www.letour.fr

Thanks for the reply, but why do you assume this is bait? I still don't fully understand even after reading your reply, so it cannot be that simple a question. I have never ridden in a group yet, so all I know is that riding in a group (drafting) cuts down on net wind resistance. But I don't know if the guys all ride together according to the speed of the least common denominator, or ride in a pack at the beginning of the day and then let Lance/leader pull ahead toward the finish. If they are all riding together, then they all have about the same time, right?

All riders that finish together in a pack receive the same time.

The speed of the peloton on a flat stage is quite simply determined by the guys at the front. During the Giro the typical stage starts with a couple hours of fairly easy riding. Almost always a rider or group of riders then makes a break for it. The peloton will usually let them go but later will start cranking things up in an attempt to catch the break and give their sprinters a shot.

On flat stages Lance and his team will stay with the pack and simply make sure they stay close to the other GC contenders. In general they'll ignore breaks that contain riders who are no threat to their GC guy.

Lance will win the TDF by putting time on his closet competitors during the individual time trials. When they reach the mountains he simply has to stay close to the GC guys who may threaten him.

Good TDF link (http://www.velonews.com/tour2004/news/articles/6359.0.html)

That is a good link. Although I am not sure I agree with the logic of giving time bonuses. Doesn't make alot of sense. Seems like if you win by so many seconds, that should be your lead, since it is a factual measure of your performance. Also, how does a rider "accept" a push? I'm sure a member of the crowd just does it without warning. Well, maybe these are silly points.

Towlie, you have the perfect chance to see for yourself starting this weekend how the tour works. =)

While many of us here could post for days on the topic, seeing it firsthand (on TV or in person) will surely answer many of your questions.

While many of us here could post for days on the topic, seeing it firsthand (on TV or in person) will surely answer many of your questions.

I'm not so sure of that. Sometimes it causes more confusion. I have to sit and explain to my friends what's happening in the middle of a bike race because they stare at the screen and when the break happens, they think the race is over because obviously the guys at the front in the breakaway are faster. Add in the chasers, the concept of protecting the leader, the idea behind having domestiques do things like get water, the lead out for the sprinters, etc and most people start head-scratching. Just watching a bike race is an endurance sport onto itself. :)

That is a good link. Although I am not sure I agree with the logic of giving time bonuses.

Time bonuses are like primes (lap prizes) in criteriums... they provide a extra bit of action during the race and can help avoid 199 km of loafing with 1km of sprinting in a 200km stage.

Given that the pack finishes with the same time a 10sec bonus can be valuable.

I did a search but found nothing on this. How does the Tour de France work. Specifically, I am wondering how each riding team operates with respect to the rider who takes credit for the win? For example, why does Lance get credit for winning, and not the whole US Postal team? Is it because he finishes in the least time? Do his team members trade in and out and not ride the whole race? Are they there so he can draft? Is it possible for one of his other teammates to win? I get the impression some days are distance/team, and other days are solo/high-speed/short?

Thanks.

Get the Tour de France Companion by Bob Roll, answers all your questions.

Maybe someone can answer this question: why do the race organizers let bystanders out into the road and even let them run along side the riders? I've seen countless riders go down by the actions of the spectators. I think it's hard enough for the riders dealing with the motorcycles and team cars, much less some fanatic running along side of them.

All it takes is one spectator that wants to ruin Lance's chance of winning by doing something to him whilst he rides by! That would suck!

It's pretty tough to cordon off 200k of road.

All it takes is one spectator that wants to ruin Lance's chance of winning by doing something to him whilst he rides by! That would suck!

Wouldn't be the first time that happened. Why don't you talk to Eddy Merckx about his experience with a crazed fan.

Not like it didn't happen last year in stage 15.

55/Rad

That wasn't intentional. Someone punching Merckx in the stomach is completely intentional.

towlie, i'm pretty ignorant of racing too, but the first time i ever went to see a crit (my girlfriend at the time had just started racing) the bonuses made a ton of sense.

the group is so fast because of all the drafting, but then ppl charge like hell when it's a 'belll lap' so they can get a few bucks or whatever. it puts way more drama in the race for it to have a bunch of mini finish lines before the one at the end.

maybe a good contrast would be those cross-country runners from high school. the word 'race' is almost overkill because invariably it's just the person who's the fastest pacing himself/herself along side the person who's second fastest and then out kicking them in the final stretch. this is the point that F1 Fan was making.

i still no nothing of all the tactics, but the time bonuses aren't anything to take issue with i don't think.

THE LANCE INCIDENT if I remember correctly was just an accident. In fact, LA even took the blame saying he should have ridden farther out from the side of the raod.

Merckx getting punched in the gut was horrible to say the least.

PJ

It's pretty tough to cordon off 200k of road.
So we can put a man on the moon but we can't keep spectators from hassling the riders in one of the greatest races on earth? No offense intended but it just doesn't make sense.

So we can put a man on the moon but we can't keep spectators from hassling the riders in one of the greatest races on earth? No offense intended but it just doesn't make sense.Yes it does. It's part of the tradition of road racing. It's free. Anyone can watch. You can get within a few feet of the atheletes. They race through your town and countryside. Road racing is part celebration of the places we live and work. It's not held in some arena where only a privileged few are able to watch in person. I don't think the riders would have it any other way.

I'm not saying that fans should be allowed to watch from the roadside, which is just a few feet from the riders. I just think they should be allowed in the street running along side, standing in front trying to get a good picture, and god forbid, trying to attack one of the riders.

We live in a different world that it was 50 years ago and some precautions should be taken.

As Steve mentioned, it really is an important part of cycling. Would Chiappucci's incredible win at Sestrieres in '92 been as memorable if people had been kept off the road? Probably not. As much as I remember his 140K solo ride over three mountain peaks, I remember him riding through a sea of people on the final climb. Italian fans pouring water on him, patting him on the back and running with him. The whole thing would have been reduced somewhat if fans had been kept 30 feet from him.

I still get goosebumps thinking of that stage.

I was at a friends wedding a few weeks ago and his parents were over from Italy. I was talking with his dad about the Giro and he laughed saying that it roared right through their town...and everyone turns out to watch.

The groom (now living in the US) said he called a friend during the Giro and the friends entire company (no idea what they make) was outside watching it go past.

Imagine, shutting down a factory (even for a few minutes) just to watch a road race!

What a great country!

PJ

I've seen countless riders go down by the actions of the spectators.

Isnt that a bit exagerated? How many of the pro's complain about it? Seems to me they veiw it as part of their job.

As for me, man bring on the fans! Have you been to a race in the US? /yawn Sure folks yell a little now, but I remember back in the early 90's during mnt bike races, would be about 3 or 4 folks clapping along the whole course. When the first pro's came back from the world cup races in europe they were HOOKED. Cow bells, air horns, everyone yelling, gongs, painted fans, real emotion. Seeing hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of people lined up to watch a bike race now...wow

To me european racing is still fresh, and invigorating. Not the canned and packaged crap we are fed here cuz its easier to produce and profit from.

Yeah, I guess you have a point. I guess i'm concerned with the rider's safety with all the "loons" in the world.

Maybe we can carry it into all sports. Imagine running down the field with Randy Moss on a fly pattern. ;)

Yeah, I guess you have a point. I guess i'm concerned with the rider's safety with all the "loons" in the world.

Maybe we can carry it into all sports. Imagine running down the field with Randy Moss on a fly pattern. ;)


All the "loons?" You need to stop watching the fear-mongering news so much.

One thing about the Tour is all the honor that's involved. For instance, at the time Lance went down last year, he was neck-and-neck with Jan and some other dude. After he crashed, Jan and that other dude slowed down until he got back up and caught up to them, then they resumed the race. Jan said something like he wouldn't want to win that way.

I don't know what would happen if a fan deliberately took someone out of the race. What was the outcome of the Merckx stomach-bashing?

What was the outcome of the Merckx stomach-bashing?

He finished in second place.

As Steve mentioned, it really is an important part of cycling. Would Chiappucci's incredible win at Sestrieres in '92 been as memorable if people had been kept off the road? Probably not. As much as I remember his 140K solo ride over three mountain peaks, I remember him riding through a sea of people on the final climb. Italian fans pouring water on him, patting him on the back and running with him. The whole thing would have been reduced somewhat if fans had been kept 30 feet from him.

I still get goosebumps thinking of that stage.

I have that video and when it comes to the final few kilometers I turn the volume all the way up. I have never seen a larger crowd not heard a more deafening roar from the fans as was produced that day on Sestrieres. Chiapucci did not have a "full mask" of pain on that day after his Herculean effort. His faced was etched with pure joy and it looked like he was riding on clouds.

The crowds and the unique character of European road racing truly set it apart from other sporting venues and are an integral part of the spectacle of European road racing.

I have that video and when it comes to the final few kilometers I turn the volume all the way up. I have never seen a larger crowd not heard a more deafening roar from the fans as was produced that day on Sestrieres. .

I remember Phil being just blown away by what he was seeing.

And yes, that was the largest crowd I've seen at any TDF. It was quite simply the greatest stage in the last 15 years.

I remember that. I used to have it on video but have since lost it, unfortunately. Anyone know where I can pick up a copy?

All the "loons?" You need to stop watching the fear-mongering news so much.

One thing about the Tour is all the honor that's involved. For instance, at the time Lance went down last year, he was neck-and-neck with Jan and some other dude. After he crashed, Jan and that other dude slowed down until he got back up and caught up to them, then they resumed the race. Jan said something like he wouldn't want to win that way.

I don't know what would happen if a fan deliberately took someone out of the race. What was the outcome of the Merckx stomach-bashing?

It should be noted that the gentlemanliness exhibited by Jan and Lance has gone both directions. Jan went off on a descent in the 2001 Tour (I believe) while he and Lance were neck and neck. Jan wasn't hurt, but Lance sat up and waited for Jan to get back on. Then they resumed going at it hammer and tongs. They both have a lot of respect for each other and a ton of class.

To me european racing is still fresh, and invigorating. Not the canned and packaged crap we are fed here cuz its easier to produce and profit from.

Well said!