jyl

Because they don't have motors, and wind resistance matters a lot.

Gerryattrick

I can't argue with you that they are extremely tough and resilient athletes, although it's difficult to compare them with other endurance disciplines such as, say, marathon runners or top triathletes.

But, tough as they are, they don't put in 100% effort for the full length of every ride. Much of the start of each stage is, by their standards, a gentle break-in for the day followed by tactical positioning (which in itself would be enough to kill most of us).

I agree with you on the comparison of dealing with injuries to sports like football (soccer) where players writhe around in agony over a kick and the next minute are charging around like a two-year old. They haven't yet learned that if you are in genuine agony you don't roll around, you lie still.

And the way they attack those descents shows real courage.

Anyway, I'm missing the Tour already.

bruce19

That's the one. Thanks.

bruce19

While I am of the TT temperament myself, to me the "heros" are guys like Geraint Thomas and Richie Porte. Those guys are tough. Total team players.

baron von trail 

Not watching the TDF, but I read about it now and then. Not much though lately...lol, I just checked and found out it's over.

peterws

I stopped watching the T de F when they changed the music . . . .

jppe

I totally agree. The GC winners would not be on the podium without guys like this. I'm just amazed at what these guys can do day after day. The domestiques that run around and get water bottles for everyone are incredible athletes as well. Most folks don't understand the energy it takes to do all that stuff they do.

dual650c

I thought the "tradition" was the fastest guy wins... Oh wait, that's the definition of "racing", not "Touring around France".

Then again, I stand by my perception supported by Froome's statement that he didn't ride to finish in ANY stage after he first got the Yellow Jersey. He rode to be close to his challengers - that's all. The rules and tradition allowed him to win just a single stage and still win the tour. I would like to see them return to the rules of 30 years ago - none of this "everyone getting the same time" if they cross the line close enough together. In Nascar, "rubbin' is racin'"; in bicycle racing, if you go down in the final sprint, it should be viewed as tough nuggies.

My opinion and I stand by it.

bruce19

Or maybe we should have them race around an oval wearing Confederate Flag jerseys?

MarkND

I watched the TDF like I have every year since the late 80's. I also watch the Spring Classics, the Giro, the Vuelta, and the races in between. Yeah, the sport has changed over the years, but what sport hasn't? I love cycling, and if I'm not doing it, I like watching it. As for the stupid commercials, I record the days race on my DVR, and fast forward thru the commercials.

Mark

Rich Gibson 

Some of what you suggest is possible; they could get the exact time of line crossing what with the technology available today. However if you're suggesting only one prize for the entire race, that's impractical. Few, in their right mind would compete for 21 days with the chance of only one rider winning it all. In NASCAR (which I have watched, possibly since before you were born) everyone, IIRC down to the last racer gets points, and money. One could argue that's not 'racin', that's entertainment. Anyway, to get the greatest participation it was necessary to add incentives for participants to get some form of recognition/reward for their noteworthy accomplishments during the race.

The race has evolved over the years to suit as many participants and fans as well. The only serious issue right now is the way ASO, the organization running the Tour scoops up almost all the revenue from the race. The teams are increasingly calling for some form of payback for their very costly investment. The Tour is prestigious enough for them to call all the shots, but the teams are clamoring for a piece of the action.

This is similar to Formula 1 right now. "Them that has, gets" and the organizers, followed by the very few top teams reap the bulk of the revenue. There used to be 22 cars in each race in F1, now they're lucky if they can put 18 on the starting grid. Only the first ten teams get prize money, a disincentive for any owner to join. The rules for change require a unanimous vote, so the top team can nullify ANY rule change and stay on top and screw the bottom teams, preventing them from ever becoming competitive. The viewership in F1 has dropped drastically.

The UCI needs to step in and put some order to both the haphazard racing schedule and require the major events which generate disproportionately large revenue to pay back the teams to ensure their continued support. NASCAR does that with Sprint cars and the next tier (sorry, I forgot the name of that category) As does Indy cars (and Indy lights).

It's impossible to throw every sporting event described as a 'race' into the same category with identical rules and objectives though.

Rich

chasm54

The fastest guy did win. He covered the distance in a time faster than any other rider, that's what winning the GC means. The guy who wins the most stages, but is slower overall, will be a contender for the green jersey points competition.

What Froome did was no different, in principle, from Floyd Mayweather getting ahead on points and then fighting defensively to maintain his lead to the finish rather than going for a more spectacular win and risking leaving his chin hanging out.

As for abandoning the system that everyone gets the same time if they cross the line in a bunch, that would make a small difference to the times while radically increasing the risk of injury by creating an incentive to sprint for 45th place on a crowded road in order to avoid losing a second. Bike racing is already a dangerous sport. If you prefer Nascar, that's fine. But criticising the TdF because it isn't like a car race is pretty odd.

surfjimc

Being a teacher, I have the time in July to watch the race. I've even gone over to France to trek around and see some stages. Alp D'Huez was by far my favorite to watch, and then hike up to the town for the night time insanity. Now I DVR the live feed so I can FF the the increasingly large number of commercials. It also allows me to sleep in or do an early ride and watch while eating. I can't remember the last time I missed a stage, although I do now and then.