ZappCatt

What all does the "Do not attack when a guy is down/slowed" entail?
1) If a GC contender crashes you do not attack him.
2) You do not attack when a GC contender is stopping for a break of nature.

Where does a mechanical/flat fit in this "honor system"?

i.e. If a group of the top 10 GC dontenders get away on the climbs of stage 14 and Basso gets a flat. Do they attack him to drop him out of contention, or do they slow up since he is disabled?

Just wondering

jjmolyet

Answer is simple, you don't take advantage of a rider's misfortune, things that are out of the riders control. You don't slow down like Tyler Hamilton asked everyone to do when Lance had his handlebar hooked a couple of years ago.You simply maintain until the unlucky rider can regroup. Riders should not be asked to give up their momentum because of a crash, just don't attack. That is my view.

Bockman

No attacking during meal breaks either.

A flat is a misfortune and if the Yellow Jersey flatted, anyone in contention for the jersey would not attempt a breakaway.

ZappCatt

If this is the case, why is everyone so sure that Lance(holder of the Yellow Jersey) did not orchestrate the bluff on Stage 8? Everyone said that it was to dangerous because of the chance of flat or mechanical..but if there was little to no chance of a challenger taking advantage of it....

According to Savo at the end of that stage he said that he was covering Vinos move and Lance called him off..

I hope Discovery Channel is filming the team with backstage access and we can see/hear what actually went on. I would LOVE to hear the radion chatter...wether it was a plan, or even if it was a mistake..

I find it funny that many people think that the other competitors need to make a bold/reckless move to try to win the Yellow Jersey, but most of them discount the chance that Lance took a bold move to improve his chances, particularly with the key stage that was set for the next day.

If you read the interviews with Vino, Ullrichs blog, and Levi's diary, you will see that they all felt that Discovery might be a little weak and tired, possibly ready for a letdown.
Just my $.02

Grasschopper

Don't forget #3 - let a French guy win on Bastille Day

Smoothie104

Not Everyone abides by it, Chiapucci attacked Lemond one year, when he had a flat. And remember the other GC hopefulls don't have to attack, but a lot of them will simply sit on if someone does. I think remaining distance to the finish line is going to be a factor too. If Lance flatted with 80km to go, I'm sure the pace wouldn't pick up becuase of it, but If he flatted in a small group with 15 flat km's to go, and the Peleton a few minutes behind. you can be sure that the lure of the stage win is going to overshadow the gentlemens rule.

ZappCatt

Smoothie, thanks for the further info on past tours. As I have said, I am a bike racing newb.

At the time when he(Lance) called Savo off(according to Savo), there was a pretty solid group (Vino,Moreau,Landis, Levi, Lance, Ullrich, etc) climbing a 6% grade. According to the CyclingNews live stats it looks like this happened between 20K and 17K to go. Kloden had already gone off the front, and it was obvious that the rest of the group was just watching each other.

Just my $.02. I thought it was a well done manuever. I don't think it was pre-determined by Johan, but rather a mid-race decision by Lance. I think George probably was supposed to be in that group, but had used a little extra up in the early break.

ed073

Remember when Roger Legeay got Duclos-Lassalle and Atle Kvallsvoll to stop on the side of the road and wait for Greg?? The camera kept flicking back to World Champ Greg in his mirrored Oakleys screaming along in the 12 cog, then back to Duclos and Kvalsvoll standing on the side of the road, drinking from bidons.

Incredible day on the Tour.

gmason

And LA's buddy Patrice Halgand a few years ago in the Dauphine.