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How come in some TDF races we see riders with no helmets?

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How come in some TDF races we see riders with no helmets?

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Old 10-10-07, 01:45 AM
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How come in some TDF races we see riders with no helmets?

Wondering why that is? If I was a pro I don't think I'd do some risky maneuvers if I didn't have a helmet on. I'm not a safety nazi, just wondering why there are pics of a whole peloton with no helmets? Is there a reason behind it, maybe some tactical advantage?
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Old 10-10-07, 02:50 AM
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they wanna save some weight
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Old 10-10-07, 03:04 AM
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They are professionals. Do not try this at home.
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Old 10-10-07, 03:32 AM
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I think the race leader can pick 5 or so stages every tour, when no-one has to wear a helmet.
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Old 10-10-07, 03:39 AM
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Is it not certain climbing stages that can be exempt?
I'd have thought it would be compulsory to wear them on every stage, not least for sponsorship...

If the OP and the replys are in humour, it's lost on me sorry and I'm a fool...
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Old 10-10-07, 03:49 AM
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There are tons of idiots in the sport. Same reason most of them dope. What the average folk with average intelligence believes to be common sense, the pros (most have idiot genes) believe otherwise.

Read Nature Journal. Many studies have shown that pro road bike racers have the lowest IQs among athletic pros.

Originally Posted by sam.
Wondering why that is? If I was a pro I don't think I'd do some risky maneuvers if I didn't have a helmet on. I'm not a safety nazi, just wondering why there are pics of a whole peloton with no helmets? Is there a reason behind it, maybe some tactical advantage?
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Old 10-10-07, 03:55 AM
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Got a photo of a pro tour rider in the last two years without a helmet in any race?

I'd like to see it.
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Old 10-10-07, 04:01 AM
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The rules allow them not to wear helmets under some very limited conditions- i think it has to be a climbing finish with no downhill after the climb starts. The organizers try to avoid this situation to force helmet use all the time.
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Old 10-10-07, 04:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Trevor98
The rules allow them not to wear helmets under some very limited conditions- i think it has to be a climbing finish with no downhill after the climb starts. The organizers try to avoid this situation to force helmet use all the time.
I believe that rule went away two years ago if I am not mistaken.

If you take a look at, for example, stage 14 from last July's TdF, with a mountain top finish at Plateau de Beille, note that all the riders I can see have helmets, including all of the leaders.

So I am looking for a photo of a rider sans helmet in the last two years.

If you are not sure, ask Saul Raisin if he'd be alive today without one. Henk Vogels would also be good to ask.

Last edited by roadwarrior; 10-11-07 at 05:13 AM.
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Old 10-10-07, 05:59 AM
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Roadwarrior....You are right...Helmets mandatory all the time...

Use to be that for mountain top finishes you could ditch the helmet on the last climb...They were probably seeing video from a number of years ago when the rules on helmets were more lax...
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Old 10-10-07, 06:07 AM
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This thread is so full of misinformation that it should be deleted.
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Old 10-10-07, 06:13 AM
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Yes cycling pro's used to NOT wear helmets. Over the last several years they have become compulsory.

The reason that they used to not wear them was to stay cooler. I guess that the powers that be have made them compulsory because of public relations considerations more than anything. How can you convince some young guy that he must wear a helmet if his cycling hero's don't wear them.

Regards, Anthony
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Old 10-10-07, 06:15 AM
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Originally Posted by ElJamoquio
This thread is so full of misinformation that it should be deleted.
+30

Helmets were made mandatory in the last 2 TDF's, even on mountain stages.
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Old 10-10-07, 06:32 AM
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Originally Posted by FranckCisco
There are tons of idiots in the sport. Same reason most of them dope. What the average folk with average intelligence believes to be common sense, the pros (most have idiot genes) believe otherwise.

Read Nature Journal. Many studies have shown that pro road bike racers have the lowest IQs among athletic pros.
Wow. It's rare to see so much crap jammed into so few sentences. Luckily, I stopped at "Most have idiot genes"....
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Old 10-10-07, 06:33 AM
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you are probably watching old videos...i didn't see any guy in the last TDF without his noggin protector.
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Old 10-10-07, 02:49 PM
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Greetings!

UCI rules made helmets mandatory several years ago (2003) in any UCI races, of which the TDF is one. The exception to this is that riders MAY remove their helmets if the finish is on an uphill section or at the top of a hill of at least 5KM climb and the helmet cannot be removed before a marker at the start of the climb.

They all take them off for cooling (what else?) and that is the only exception allowed. Whether it's dumb or not is not for me to say as I can't handle a bike like they can and I'm never at their intensity. I ALWAYS wear mine!

However, now I understand that in 2005 the exception was dropped, but trying to find the up to date UCI rules that show this has been frustrating and I have not been able to find it.

Regards,
Jefferito

Last edited by Jefferito; 10-10-07 at 09:50 PM.
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Old 10-10-07, 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by ElJamoquio
This thread is so full of misinformation that it should be deleted.
+1,000

And every poster before road warrior be banned for a week.
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Old 10-10-07, 04:25 PM
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what is this helmet of which you speak?
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Old 10-10-07, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by FranckCisco
There are tons of idiots in the sport. Same reason most of them dope. What the average folk with average intelligence believes to be common sense, the pros (most have idiot genes) believe otherwise.

Read Nature Journal. Many studies have shown that pro road bike racers have the lowest IQs among athletic pros.
This has to be an intentional attempt at irony, right? Right???
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Old 10-10-07, 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by nycphotography
This has to be an intentional attempt at irony, right? Right???
Anybody that would actually reference Nature would actually reference Nature (that is, cite the appropriate article). Thus, I call shenanigans on Franck Cisco and wait for him to give us the citation information.
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Old 10-10-07, 05:28 PM
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It was a failed attempt of humour on my behalf. I apologise for interrupting the accurate information highway that is bikeforums.
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Old 10-10-07, 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by ElJamoquio
This thread is so full of misinformation that it should be deleted.
Find me a thread on BF that does not fit this description.
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Old 10-10-07, 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by ElJamoquio
This thread is so full of misinformation that it should be deleted.
if this were to be applied to all threads and info in general, BF would be among the first forums to be deleted in it's entirety.
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Old 10-11-07, 05:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Jefferito
Greetings!

UCI rules made helmets mandatory several years ago (2003) in any UCI races, of which the TDF is one. The exception to this is that riders MAY remove their helmets if the finish is on an uphill section or at the top of a hill of at least 5KM climb and the helmet cannot be removed before a marker at the start of the climb.

They all take them off for cooling (what else?) and that is the only exception allowed. Whether it's dumb or not is not for me to say as I can't handle a bike like they can and I'm never at their intensity. I ALWAYS wear mine!

However, now I understand that in 2005 the exception was dropped, but trying to find the up to date UCI rules that show this has been frustrating and I have not been able to find it.

Regards,
Jefferito
Hey Jefferito...

If your last paragraph is correct, why did you post the first two?

Just sayin'

Helmets are mandatory at all times. End of story.
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Old 10-11-07, 05:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Quijibo187
if this were to be applied to all threads and info in general, BF would be among the first forums to be deleted in it's entirety.


Thanks for the laugh. Which is generally why I attend.

For perspective...in a bike shop this level of information is provided face to face. Imagine having to look at the person who says some of these things and having to retain your self-control.
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