Stratocaster

I'm a bit unclear as to the significance and importance of the last day of the TDF.
From what I gather - in a typical year when the leader has a considerable lead, the final stage is basically a parade for the leader. Perhaps the green jersey guys might compete if necessary.

But let's assume that the time trials today are fairly close, and Froome holds a lead over 2 other riders by less than a minute each.
Will there be a battle for the win tomorrow?...or will it simply be a parade to the finish with the riders accepting their place in the standings?

Giacomo 1 

The last stage in Paris is really a sprint stage, and like most sprint stages, its a parade and GC contenders can't really gain time. But its a beuatiful parade right in the heart of gorgeous Paris and IMHO, its one of the greatest spectacles in all of sport. And the GC leader really deserves that parade for his performance.

The sprinters really want this stage though and a win here is really coveted by them. If the green jersey is up for grabs though, they will be racing hard to.

Stratocaster

No doubt. It's very cool indeed.
Just so I'm clear then - the GC guys WILL NOT be actually "competing" tomorrow. In other words, Uran won't say to Telansky, "I need 30 seconds - with 10KM left, lead me out and I'm going for it!"...or something like that?

I guess I'm questioning because it seems to be a place between competing and tradition...and I'm not sure how it all pans out in a close situation.

Cyclist0108

Moreso than the rest of it?

Steve B.

The geography of the final stage is similar to other flat stages where it's difficult for any GC rider to make time as the teams are all watching. No GC rider would be allowed to get away in a break.

Thus it comes down to a few laps around Paris on cobblestones, where nobody wants to contest for GC and see potential for injury on the final day. The sprinters will contest and always have.

Mo06

"But its a beuatiful parade right in the heart of gorgeous Paris and IMHO, its one of the greatest spectacles in all of sport."


Having been there at the side of the road, I can second that. A great spectacle.

brianmcg123

There is no way for a contender to make up a minute on the final stage. It's just too short and too flat. If someone tried, good for them, but team sky would just real them back in. Not to mention all the sprinters teams would help, they want a crack at the final stage.

Stratocaster

That may be true now that the TT is over, but the original premise was if it was just a matter of seconds.

Stratocaster

Last-gasp effort. I wasn't saying it would be easy (nor probable). Just wondering what the level of true competition would be vs. tradition.

Stratocaster

True, the injury aspect does come into play. That would be a shame for something like that to happen.
I guess it sort of seems like a baseball All-Star game where the guys complete, but they also tend to pull back a bit as to avoid injury.
It is quite the spectacle.

Thanks for all the answers all! I appreciate it.

brianmcg123

You said "less than a minute". As it stands now he only has a 54 second lead.

HardyWeinberg

Christian VDV was saying Sky might try to get 2 seconds from Bardet for Landa to get a 2nd podium spot but I have to doubt that. I think if they were seriously considering that then Froome would have pushed harder today and lapped Bardet as they entered the velodrome.

brianmcg123

That doesn't make sense. Lands is the one that needs the 2 seconds.

HardyWeinberg

I was just thinking it might have demoralized/discombobulated Bardet into losing a bit more time. He really fought for it today though.

brianmcg123

Discombobulated?

Maybe he could have stuck a pump in his spokes.

Rtullis

Maybe Froome has built enough of a lead for everyone to do "the gentlemanly thing," but why in the world would Landa and Sky not try for a third place podium appearance?!? From all that's been said (by commentators) over the 20 stages, Landa really wants it. He's been a good soldier (really an excellent one), and Sky is clearly capable of controlling AG2R and getting Landa into position. Landa looks to be capable of picking up a measly 2 seconds. There's a full day of racing remaining; and I think fans should feel cheated if Landa and Sky don't actually compete during it.

Stratocaster

It's become evident that your purpose here is to argue and knit-pick.
DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THE POINT OF THE QUESTION???

Stratocaster

ok, so my original point and speculative example can transfer over to this legitimate real-world question.

Kevindale

Yes, for the GC riders, the last stage is more of a parade. The last time the last stage mattered it was a TT, and LeMond edged out Fignon. They changed the Tour after that. As mentioned, it's a last chance for a sprinter to win a stage, and it could matter in some cases for the green jersey. But from what I understand, it's part of the unwritten rules of the peloton that that you don't attack the yellow jersey in the final stage. I think even if Team Sky were vulnerable, and second place were only 15 seconds down, that you wouldn't see the GC guys doing anything crazy.

Now, does that gentlemanly unwritten rule extend to 3rd place? Probably. I can't imagine Sky would want to ruffle a lot of feathers to get another rider onto the podium, especially when they're already hated, and Landa is leaving the team soon. If Landa were in third, and Barguil were a few seconds back, then there may have been some probing moves to get a Frenchman onto the podium, but I think there would be zero chance such a move would succeed. The course is just too easy for these guys to get much time on each other, which is as it's intended.

JTownCitycycle

yes and who knows what the surprise of one team just motoring out from the start of the final stage, a shock to the system that may some how work on other stages as well.

JTownCitycycle

exactly how did it change the way the tour is run, if I may ask ? and as the commentating team surprising said in this tour, maybe it's time to break down these ways of doing things and take the gloves off. Queensberry rules don't make for good tv lol

Rtullis

I don't think it should matter what Landa does next year. He's in the team this year, and he's been a stalwart. That way of thinking is just a part of the "last day of the tour isn't really part of the tour" mentality. Either they are racing tomorrow, or they're not. It seems like most people think they are not. But I don't get it, and in the case of not contending a 1 second lead, I think it cheapens the event.

Rtullis

I also don't think it should matter if everyone hates Team Sky (I don't). Why should they care? Lot's of people don't like the N.E.Patriots, but they don't take their foot off the gas when contending the Super Bowl so that rivals will like them better! It's a sports competition, not a dating site.

gregf83 

It's a sprint stage and they'll all be racing it like a normal sprint stage. It would be foolish for Sky to jeopardize Froome's position by fooling around with fruitless efforts trying to gain a couple of seconds for Landa.

DLBroox

I hope they let Voekler off the front on the Champs for a lap!