Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Professional Cycling For the Fans
Reload this Page >

Help me appreciate sprint finishes.

Notices
Professional Cycling For the Fans Follow the Tour de France,the Giro de Italia, the Spring Classics, or other professional cycling races? Here's your home...

Help me appreciate sprint finishes.

Old 07-22-12, 12:19 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
RavingManiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Maine
Posts: 553

Bikes: 90 Raleigh Chill MTB, 92 Trek 1200, 2004 Trek 2300, 67 Sports, 70 Sports, 71 Philips, Lotus Challenger, 74 Super Course, Univega Gran Tourismo, Nishiki Seral

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Help me appreciate sprint finishes.

It has occurred to me that maybe I'm missing something. I just don't get much out of the sprint finishes while many here get all worked up into a lather over Cav and Sagan. I've never raced, is that the problem? Do you have to have raced to understand it. I see the speed, I see the effort, but being a non-racer it just doesn't do it for me like a mountain top finish or the decimation of the peloton on a greweling climb. I'm not a nube, I've been watching the Tour since the Indurain days, I should get it, I don't. Help me out.
RavingManiac is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 12:27 PM
  #2  
starting pistol means war
 
YMCA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 3,150

Bikes: Cervelo R3

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by RavingManiac
I've never raced, is that the problem? I should get it, I don't. Help me out.
Race experience will help.
If you never race, then get involved in some large group sprints at the local hammerfest.

"B" rides and lower cats racing won't compare of course, but you may start to appreciate the speed, agility, danger and tactics.
YMCA is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 12:30 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 396
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
What's not to appreciate? Blistering acceleration, a train of lead outs peeling off to dodge and jostle amongst... It's exciting, dangerous, fast, everything.


(But then again, I was a sprinter when I raced, so...)
ettsn is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 12:33 PM
  #4  
Spit out the back
 
tinrobot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Silverlake, CA
Posts: 1,116
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
It's like running a 100m sprint after running a marathon, all while avoiding traffic.
tinrobot is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 01:05 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Thulsadoom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Cape Vincent, NY
Posts: 1,386

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac Expert, 2002 TREK 520, Schwinn Mesa WINTER BIKE, Huffy Rock Creek 29er, 1970s-era Ross ten speed. All my bikes are highly modified(except the Tarmac) yet functional, and generally look beat to ****. .

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 65 Post(s)
Liked 84 Times in 49 Posts
Many stages are just fast-paced processions. The riders ride for hours, hauling ass, on relatively flat or rolling terrain. No one is liable to ride away and stay away, but someone has to cross that line first, and all those fans at the finish don't want to see a bunch of guys just cruise in, they want to see something exciting. It's like when you're a kid and you've walked home from school with your friend, when you get in sight of your house you look at each other and say "race you the rest of the way!" Racing basics: the first one to the line is the winner.
Thulsadoom is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 01:31 PM
  #6  
out walking the earth
 
gsteinb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lake Placid, NY
Posts: 21,441
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 912 Post(s)
Liked 752 Times in 342 Posts
Originally Posted by tinrobot
It's like running a 100m sprint after running a marathon, all while avoiding traffic.
Not really accurate usually. A marathon is more like a two hour TT. Road sprinters tend to conserve as much energy as possible while sheltered through a sprint stage by their team. Road sprinters are guys who can maintain solid power and acceleration after five hours in the saddle. But they couldn't sprint with pure sprinters. Track and field analogies just don't work when talking about cycling.
gsteinb is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 01:36 PM
  #7  
Lance Hater
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,403
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
A pack of riders moving at 40+ MPH, jostling for position? Just awesome! .
Laggard is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 01:51 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Leeds UK
Posts: 2,085
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
3-D chess with all your opposing pieces making up their own moves at the best part of 40mph and making sure you punch your clock at exactly the right split second. A combination of power, stamina, speed and the instinct to recognise and act on that split second.

Oh, and avoiding crashing

Last edited by atbman; 07-23-12 at 02:38 AM.
atbman is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 03:02 PM
  #9  
Blissketeer
 
HokuLoa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,335
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Boy, not really sure how to impart an appreciation for sprinting for a non-newb cyclist and fan. Racing definitely helps as the best understanding comes from actually being involved in a sprint finish in a long race. For most people though that is fairly impractical as a really complete lesson but it is still a lesson. Having just suffered through a long, grueling day at top speeds the experience of seeing (and feeling) sprinters jump away like the rest of the group is standing still provides a fairly tangible appreciation for what these guys are doing. Controlled chaos at unimaginable speeds and accelerations... what's not to love!
HokuLoa is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 03:07 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
dstrong's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Awesome, Austin, TX
Posts: 4,231

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Interloc Impala, ParkPre Image C6

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 254 Post(s)
Liked 86 Times in 56 Posts
The sprint itself is just the icing on the cake. The last 10 - 20 km is the cake. I love watching the lead-out trains start to form as the speed increases. Then, as each member of the train peels off, spent from their efforts, there's someone right behind them that continues the charge. I thought this year's sprints were great with Cav not being the only guy to watch...although his move on Friday to take that sprint was breathtaking. I loved the final head-on shot when he flew out from behind Sanchez into the middle.
__________________

2014 Specialized Roubaix2003 Interloc Impala2007 ParkPre Image C6 (RIP)

dstrong is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 05:51 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,606
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I learned to appreciate sprints by doing them at sprint specific workouts and a strong desire to go fast which I've always had. It went up a notch being at the finish of a toc stage and seeing what 45mph looks like.
kleinboogie is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 06:09 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
RavingManiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Maine
Posts: 553

Bikes: 90 Raleigh Chill MTB, 92 Trek 1200, 2004 Trek 2300, 67 Sports, 70 Sports, 71 Philips, Lotus Challenger, 74 Super Course, Univega Gran Tourismo, Nishiki Seral

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks all for the reasonable responses. I'm going to have to work on this, but I think at 61 years old I'm a little long in the tooth to start racing now. A lot of times when they're jockying for position on the lead out I can't keep track of who is who, especially if it's an overhead shot. Judging from the remarks my hunch was true that having racing experience enhances appreciation for the sprint.
RavingManiac is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 06:23 PM
  #13  
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,354 Times in 861 Posts
Yea at 61 id doubt you would be back up to tour winning form after breaking your collarbone
the previous summer.

Chess is an interesting analogy, if there were a dozen different sets
of knights rooks bishops pawns and kings
each being a team, all on a chess board that had no fixed squares for anyone ..
fietsbob is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 07:06 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Giacomo 1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Queens NYC
Posts: 3,175

Bikes: Colnago Super, Basso Gap, Pogliaghi, Fabio Barecci, Torelli Pista, Miyata 1400A

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 316 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 13 Posts
Originally Posted by RavingManiac
A lot of times when they're jockying for position on the lead out I can't keep track of who is who, especially if it's an overhead shot.
Yeah, that can be tough, no doubt. Thats why I don't criticise the announcers, Phil and Paul, because they have a tough job calling those sprint finishes and I think they do a great job at it.

I think you have to see who the sprint contenders are going to be for that specific stage before it begins, what uniforms they're wearing, and even their numbers. Usually, in a sprint finish, there will only be a few contenders and they will be on specific teams. So if you handicap the stage before it begins, you might be able to keep up with the action at the end.


I'm a Tyler Farrar fan, so I am always on the lookout for that blue Garmin uniform with the big "E" on the shoulder at the finish. Yeah guys, I know, I didn't get to see him much at the finishes this year....
__________________
It never gets easier, you just go faster. ~ Greg LeMond

Last edited by Giacomo 1; 07-22-12 at 07:09 PM.
Giacomo 1 is offline  
Old 07-22-12, 10:37 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Jed19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,224
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
As previously mentioned by dstrong in post 10, to really get a full measure and appreciation of the sprint, it helps to focus on the lead-out trains and the sprinter at the same time (when he finally jumps). This is how I like to watch the sprint. It also helps to have at the back of your mind that it can be very dangerous (the speed and close proximity). And since the beginning of time, humans have been getting excited over dangerous stuff. Add speed to the danger, and I get really excited
Jed19 is offline  
Old 07-23-12, 09:40 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Keith99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,866
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Laggard
A pack of riders moving at 40+ MPH, jostling for position? Just awesome! .
But to a major degree does NOT come through on the tube. I think the OP might well appreciate things more if he saw even a local race with a sprint finish live. When it clicks just how fast these are going in an emotional sense it might change things for him.
Keith99 is offline  
Old 07-23-12, 09:51 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
RavingManiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Maine
Posts: 553

Bikes: 90 Raleigh Chill MTB, 92 Trek 1200, 2004 Trek 2300, 67 Sports, 70 Sports, 71 Philips, Lotus Challenger, 74 Super Course, Univega Gran Tourismo, Nishiki Seral

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Keith99
But to a major degree does NOT come through on the tube. I think the OP might well appreciate things more if he saw even a local race with a sprint finish live. When it clicks just how fast these are going in an emotional sense it might change things for him.
That might be the ticket. Kleinboogie mentioned the same thing regarding witnessing a TOC stage sprint finish. We don't have much in the way of races up here in Maine, they do have a race every year at the Yarmouth Clam Festival, I'll have to try and make it next year. Anything that enhances my appreciation for the TDF and cycling in general is worthwhile.
RavingManiac is offline  
Old 07-23-12, 10:55 AM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
Keith99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,866
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by RavingManiac
That might be the ticket. Kleinboogie mentioned the same thing regarding witnessing a TOC stage sprint finish. We don't have much in the way of races up here in Maine, they do have a race every year at the Yarmouth Clam Festival, I'll have to try and make it next year. Anything that enhances my appreciation for the TDF and cycling in general is worthwhile.
This post adds a lot of tone and background to your previous post. Now that it is established you really want ot enhance your experience viewing and a limitation of location (e.g. limited local racing) has come up I'll take my previous suggetion and extend it a bit.

See if ther eis a track reasonably close. While track riding is very different it is similar enough that you can get a glimpse of the speed and power. And soem top sprinters came from a track background.
Keith99 is offline  
Old 07-23-12, 11:53 AM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
Mithrandir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 2,399

Bikes: 2012 Surly LHT, 1995 GT Outpost Trail

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
For me it's the logistics of it all. Cav has low power output for a sprinter, so why does he keep winning? The guy and his team(s) are brilliant at knowing exactly where to be at exactly the right time, knowing exactly what gear to be in, when to start hammering, when to throw the bike.

It's like a ballet on crack. Think... competitive cirque du soleil, at 80kmh.

I'm not a racer, never will be, but the sheer number of variables you need to get right on a consistent basis like Cav does absolutely astounds me.
Mithrandir is offline  
Old 07-23-12, 07:32 PM
  #20  
Lance Hater
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,403
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Mithrandir
For me it's the logistics of it all. Cav has low power output for a sprinter, so why does he keep winning? The guy and his team(s) are brilliant at knowing exactly where to be at exactly the right time, knowing exactly what gear to be in, when to start hammering, when to throw te.
I


In my opinion Cav is faster than both Cippo and Peta. At their peaks and with identical leadouts Cav will hit the line first.
Laggard is offline  
Old 07-23-12, 10:46 PM
  #21  
Beer >> Sanity
 
bikerjp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,449

Bikes: 2014 Evo DA2, 2010 Caad9-4, 2011 Synapse-4, 2013 CaadX-disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm more or less a noob but it doesn't take much to enjoy a good finish. The end of stage 18 was outstanding. Fighting to bring back the break in Paris and then shooting Cav at the line was pretty awesome too.
bikerjp is offline  
Old 07-23-12, 11:21 PM
  #22  
Geck, wo ist mein Fahrrad
 
Rx Rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Front Range
Posts: 715
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I would liken the sprint, to the start of a formula 1 race, truly the most exciting part of the race. 20+ cars trying to squeeze into enough space for 12, all trying to get around the first corner with all their wheels. of course there's no real teamwork in f1 like in cycling. but the chaos seem very familiar to me.
Rx Rider is offline  
Old 07-30-12, 03:07 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
gear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: North shore of Mass.
Posts: 2,131
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Thulsadoom
Many stages are just fast-paced processions. The riders ride for hours, hauling ass, on relatively flat or rolling terrain. No one is liable to ride away and stay away, but someone has to cross that line first, and all those fans at the finish don't want to see a bunch of guys just cruise in, they want to see something exciting. It's like when you're a kid and you've walked home from school with your friend, when you get in sight of your house you look at each other and say "race you the rest of the way!" Racing basics: the first one to the line is the winner.
Maybe you just need to see sprinting from a new perspective.

https://bikehugger.com/m/view/sprinting-with-cavs
gear is offline  
Old 07-30-12, 04:05 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
Hornbiker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 273

Bikes: Orbea Diva, Santa Cruz Blur

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by gear
Maybe you just need to see sprinting from a new perspective.

https://bikehugger.com/m/view/sprinting-with-cavs
That was fantastic. Wish there were more of these, especially from bigger sprints with more on the line, lots of competing lead outs, bigger field...
Hornbiker is offline  
Old 07-30-12, 04:20 PM
  #25  
Banned.
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Uncertain
Posts: 8,651
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by gear
Maybe you just need to see sprinting from a new perspective.

https://bikehugger.com/m/view/sprinting-with-cavs
Excellent. Wouldn't have fancied taking that last corner like that...

And illustrative of Cavendish's timing.
chasm54 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.