Originally Posted by cooker
So if I understand, it is a stage where the peloton, led by the yellow jersey's team and the sprinters' teams, can and will squelch any breakaways, so unless he only needs to make up a few seconds, there's no point in the second place rider attacking because he would have no chance. Yes?
Yea that is pretty much it. It is really no different than other stages, EXCEPT:
1) There is no reason to save energy for tomorrow.
2) It is very flat.
3) The sprinters really value this stage.
4) It is entirely clear just who will be a threat to the yellow.
5) There is no point on getting back some of the time, it is all or nothing.
Sometimes a break will go, but if it contains a threat of any kind the yellow jersey team will make extra sure they stay close enough that the sprinters teams will close it down at the end.
I guess one other difference is that once the champagne is out it is considered very bad form to attack and you would piss everyone off.