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pro cycling support vehicles

Old 04-26-21, 08:59 AM
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pro cycling support vehicles

I think they should eliminate support vehicles and go back to one bike for each rider and you must fix your own bike no outside help. Now those were real bikers, carry a spare tire and a pump! None of these cars zooming in and out of the race honking at the riders spewing exhaust in their faces, It's absurd!!
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Old 04-26-21, 09:03 AM
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When did you race under those conditions?
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Old 04-26-21, 09:03 AM
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Or we could continue allowing riders to have support vehicles with spare wheels and bikes, so that we get closer to a result in which the stronger riders win - rather than the riders who were lucky enough to not suffer punctures or other mechanical issues.
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Old 04-26-21, 09:09 AM
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just put the riders on a row of stationery's that can simulate terrain & climate conditions. Toss in a random spectator that "jumps" the sidelines & the occasional skunk crossing the path. No flats ever to happen & medical assistance is as close as it'll ever get.
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Old 04-26-21, 09:21 AM
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I don't have a problem with support vehicles and extra bikes, I mean they are 'pros' after all.

How about getting rid of all the radio communication between riders and managers? Think about how different strategy would be. Nobody would know who was in the breakaway, no computers telling the peloton how many seconds they have to shave per kilometer to catch that lone rider 20 meters from the finish. Definitely would change to look of races.
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Old 04-26-21, 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by joeruge
I don't have a problem with support vehicles and extra bikes, I mean they are 'pros' after all.

How about getting rid of all the radio communication between riders and managers? Think about how different strategy would be. Nobody would know who was in the breakaway, no computers telling the peloton how many seconds they have to shave per kilometer to catch that lone rider 20 meters from the finish. Definitely would change to look of races.
There are many races that don't allow radios. The officials still provide time gaps to breaks though, that has always happened. For decades it was the guy on the back of the moto w/ the chalkboard.
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Old 04-26-21, 10:03 AM
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I'd leave mechanical support cars but eliminate most of the rest. Some officials supervising race only on motorcycles but even that is questionable, simply give them the view of all TV feeds, including cuts that normally don't make it to TV and let them watch is someplace in town.

Team directors unless they travel inside the support vehicles also should get the all feed TV coverage someplace in a town along the race route and if they have to, contact via wireless with the riders. I am sure they can figure out how to overcome the short range of wireless communication with the racers by making a support car to carry a retranslation station. Even the president of the race, like Proudhome (spelling?) in TDF should have no business traveling with the stages, the race can be started by a flag from one of the motorcycles carrying some race judges deemed essential to be on the road with the race field.

All this big car tail behind the big races reminds me of the church officials with that all gold, glitter, big fancy churches, when the spiritual service is just tacked on.
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Old 04-26-21, 10:12 AM
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I think that instant replay should be removed from sports. Let the referees on the field make the call in the moment. Change my mind...
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Old 04-26-21, 10:15 AM
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I say eliminate sunscreen. And sunglasses too, while we're at it.
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Old 04-26-21, 10:20 AM
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You should start your own race organization and make the rules you want. If others want them, they will join and race under your organization.
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Old 04-26-21, 10:21 AM
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I hear for all NASCAR races and for LeMans they are eliminating the pits. The drivers will be issued a Harbor Freight tool kit.

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Old 04-26-21, 10:32 AM
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I think there should be just one tool set.... And all the racers have to share.

Each racer will carry one tool apiece. Need the 6mm hex? You'll have to ask the guy who has it. And wait for him to finish with it, if need be.
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Old 04-26-21, 10:33 AM
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I like races where there is no support. Its a neat concept to be responsible for getting yourself to the finish line the fastest. Yes there may be issues that affect one person and not another, but that is part of the unknown in the races. Winning these races means a mix of talent on the bike and talent off the bike, plus a smidge of good fortune.

I like races where there is support. Its a neat concept to focus on the strongest/fastest person winning the race by eliminating as many outside factors as possible.


Huh, ends up both can be enjoyed.
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Old 04-26-21, 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Reflector Guy
I think there should be just one tool set.... And all the racers have to share.

Each racer will carry one tool apiece. Need the 6mm hex? You'll have to ask the guy who has it. And wait for him to finish with it, if need be.
This is basically gravel racing.
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Old 04-26-21, 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
When did you race under those conditions?
I believe he races downhill in both directions only
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Old 04-26-21, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by downhillmaster
I believe he races downhill in both directions only
opposing the coast & away from the river
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Old 04-26-21, 11:00 AM
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I think participants should be required to use bells.
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Old 04-26-21, 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Mark Dominck
I think they should eliminate support medical vehicles and go back to one bike bandage for each rider and you must fix your own bike wounds no outside help. Now those were real bikers, carry a spare tire sutures and a pump tourniquet !
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Old 04-26-21, 11:32 AM
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Reminds me of the Tour Divide. I know little about racing other than I like to watch. I control an alternate universe in my head where I can actually ride a bicycle fast. I do find the support vehicles somewhat obnoxious but not to the point where I think they should be eliminated. To me, the support vehicles are sort of the cycling equivalent of a pit stop in auto racing.
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Old 04-26-21, 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
When did you race under those conditions?
Late 60's for fun no pay or support I read that Tour De France book by Bill and Carol McGann and they showed these tough old guys battling it out with all the elements on gravel roads,snow, rain no rain gear or allowed any help from anyone or disqualified, strict rules
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Old 04-26-21, 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Iride01
You should start your own race organization and make the rules you want. If others want them, they will join and race under your organization.
Now that's a great idea I'd like to watch a race like that!
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Old 04-26-21, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Mark Dominck
Late 60's for fun no pay or support I read that Tour De France book by Bill and Carol McGann and they showed these tough old guys battling it out with all the elements on gravel roads,snow, rain no rain gear or allowed any help from anyone or disqualified, strict rules
In other words, you have no experience as a professional bike racer.

Shall the TdF organizers start milling the mountain roads to recreate the conditions way back when before many of the mountain roads were actually paved? How about going back to the days before gears? You had a rear wheel with one cog on each side. One larger than the other. When you hit a mountain climb, you stopped and flipped the wheel around to the larger cog. Definitely force everyone to go back to racing in wool. What sort of rain gear do you think existed back then?

BTW...Ever see this image of Andy Hapmsten during a stage of the 1988 Giro that he won?:

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Old 04-26-21, 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
BTW...Ever see this image of Andy Hapmsten during a stage of the 1988 Giro that he won?:
Yeah, you're right. Look at that team car behind him! Hampsten was sooo coddled.
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Old 04-26-21, 07:47 PM
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My, what a lot of action in this sleepy little forum.

It's a good thing there are so many contributors here. There's a lot of toothpaste to get back into the tube.
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Old 04-26-21, 08:29 PM
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No teams, drafting, or other "games". Let's see the strongest rider win on their own.
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