How does this work??

[Bobsled]

Sorry, only TdF coverage I get is in the evening news or L.A. Times. Anyway, several times I've seen where the lead rider's overall stage time is posted and every other rider's time after him is 00:00. Is everyone crossing the finish line at the same time? How does that work?

Example LINK (http://www.velonews.com/tour2004/results/articles/6548.0.html)

[Laggard]

Yes, all those riders finished in a bunch and thus were awarded the same time.

[SteveE]

I think this rule is primarily for the safety of the riders. Can you imagine the chaos and carnage that would ensue if all 180 or so riders were all trying to reach the finish line at the same time? The rule allows the sprinters to go for the win and not penalize racers just trying to get across the line in one piece. As long as there is only a second or so between a rider and the rider in front, they both get the same time. The same time applies for the next rider, and the next, and the next.

[ed073]

A gap of about 10-15 metres in the bunch is considered 1 second by the judges, depending on the speed of the finish.

[Bobsled]

Thanks.