roadrider63

This will probably be the 2010 Columbia vs. Garmin story to keep the "fued" going just as the Hincapie chase was last yr. I do wish George could have worn the yellow, if even for just one stage.

hiker88

I think that Thor deserves the jersey. He follows the rules that everyone is aware of to win the thing so I have no problem with that. But I understand what people are saying at the same time. I think anyone that follows cycling thinks of the best sprinter as the fastest guy who gets to the finish line first. It's like Justice Potter Stewart describing pornography when he said "I know it when I see it". When I see Thor in the green jersey I don't believe he is the fastest guy out there no matter what he's wearing. An incredibly strong, tactical guy for sure, but not the fastest in a bunch sprint.

Instead of calling it the sprinter's jersey it could be called the person who gets to the most arbitrary locations on the race course first jersey, but that's kind of a mouthful.

USAZorro

It's sometimes called the "Points" jersey, which is arguably, a more accurate description.

cuski

FWIW, it's called "points classification" jersey, not a sprinter's jersey.

DXchulo

I'm a big Hushovd fan and I would have to agree that he has never really been considered the best sprinter in the world for a year-long period. That title has been owned by guys like Petacchi, McEwen, and Cavendish. Does that mean he's not great at anything? I don't think so. He's a great sprinter. If the guy is the top 1% in the world at something, what else would you call him? He doesn't seem to have that top-end speed this year, which is probably a combination of age and problems he had earlier this year.

As far as jerseys go, keep in mind that the green jersey is the points jersey, not the guy-who-won-the-most-sprints jersey. Should they award more points for stage wins and have more of a drop-off after, say, the top 3? That's something we can argue about.

If the polka-dot jersey was awarded to the true best climber, most years they would give it to the overall winner, which would be boring. I like how it gives the lesser-known guys something to fight for.

rogwilco

More like "top 0,00001%"

cuski

+1. Remember last year's TdF? Seeing him teach Cav a lesson on the last few stages was priceless.

prettyshady

How does 'Points classification' sound?

WCroadie

I love the lessons Thor taught Cav last year, especially that one on the Champs-Élysées. Hoshovd won 1 and Cav won 6, seems pretty clear who was the teacher and who was the student.

lotek 

it's the points classification, and really is the most consistent rider, field sprints, bunch sprints etc. its not just a sprinters category but its usually the sprinters who win it.

As for the boxing match vs Renshaw, you don't think whacking someone with a wheel can't do damage?
as stated if they're going to enforce the rules they should enforce ALL of them. You can't selectively enforce the rules and have any credibility.

TommyL

The Barredo/Faria da Costa incident was a) not during the race and b) not seriously jeopardizing someone's health. Rogers saying that Renshaw's expulsion was due to sticklers is silly. His decision to purposefully swerve at Farrar could have caused a lot of people to be seriously hurt. The race directors have to come down hard on that.

lukasz

They're French. That's not how they roll.

I don't think Renshaw should be getting thrown out. Dean isn't overly upset and if you watch the replay it does look like Dean swerved to the left right before **** hit the fan. Since Renshaw was so aggressive in repelling him though, it is barely noticeable and very brief.

The real issue is what Renshaw did to Farrar a few seconds later, though that is also questionable as it looks like Farrar was trying to catch a bit of a draft off Renshaw when he could have gone further left.

cthenn

OK, I reconsider...I think I'm skewed by this year's competition...between a couple of Frenchmen who are far from real climbers. It's the only jersey the French will sniff for decades probably, so they have to take something. I remember Virenque winning it year after year...a mediocre climber who struck out on solo efforts, gathering huge chunks of points on one stage.

Meh, I don't really care.

cobba

Here's a nice pic from stage 10

Warning if female breast's offend don't click on the link: https://twitpic.com/25abai

*This link was from Robbie McEwen's Twitter page.

pharmboyrx

A couple years ago Robbie Mcewan was very exciting to watch because he was winning or almost winning sprints working of other rider's trains. He had no real help and really had to fight for every one. A lot more exciting than watching a competition of "armchair sprinting" IMO.

cobba

That's what's was missing from last years TDF.

USAZorro

I've been thinking about the move where Renshaw cut off Farrar some more. Is anyone besides me puzzled that Tyler wasn't anywhere near Dean? Dean leans on Renshaw from the right and appears to try to drive Renshaw off to the left. I suspect that when Renshaw thought Tyler was close behind Dean - not coming up along the rails to his left. I think that when Renshaw looked back, he was really only looking to see if someone was right behind him - not realizing it was a fast-closing Farrar.

SunSwingsLow

After reading more of the riders responses i think this is the French exacting some of their spite on team HTC.

Cat4Lifer

My POV is that the green jersey has always been awarded to the rider who earned it.
If Hushovd or Petacchi wins the competition, it will because they earned it; and that is why they'll deserve it.

Mr_Christopher

Thank you kindly. I have often wondered if riders get flashed at times or witness other forms of mischief.

OrionKhan

That's the way I saw it. Looked like Dean was trying mess up the lead out. Renshaw definitely drifted over to block Tyler. I don't think the shouldering/butting was that bad. Sprinting is a very aggressive endeavor. The big problem was Renshaw crossing over like that. He knows that if everyone doesn't pull up, they crash. He's lucky he didn't cause a crash.


+1. They have plenty of time to make a decision.


They should have fined him.

I thought about that too. I think Tyler just got caught out of position. He should have been behind Dean. Renshaw probably was just trying to move out to the way. But ended up cutting off Tyler. But its Renshaw's responsibility to get out of the way safely. He knows better. He should have just held is his line instead of drifting.

dcullen

Not just relegated, but DQ'd

Shadco 

What were you watching?

Dean was blowing by head butt boy and he didn't like it so he took out farrar

OrionKhan

Naw, Dean was trying to move in and disrupt the Renshaw's leadout for Cav. It really wasn't that bad. Renshaw was just defending his position. Dean said as much after the stage. Columbia is strong, aggressive, and successful with their sprints. Last year I think teams were a little intimidated by them. This season, other teams are challenging them. Columbia isn't backing down. Its making for very exciting sprint finishes.

I think what really got Renshaw was him drifting off line after that incident and almost running Tyler into the barricades. That would have been really bad.

Paniolo

Tyler was right behind Dean while the headbutting was going on, even with Cav. Then AleJet launched and went right and everything got bunched up on that side. Cav launched left around Renshaw and Tyler followed trying to get Cav's wheel. Cav actually went earlier than normal due to the disruption at the front. That meant he was going to be topped out and slowing before the line and someone on his wheel could have gone around. Renshaw knew this, looked back and saw Tyler trying to grab Cavs wheel. Renshaw actually accelerated again to get that space and veer left and block Tyler. He may not admit it, but to me it was done with knowledge and intent. And it was very dangerous, not only to Tyler but to the 25 or so other riders that would have been barreling into any accident at 40mph with steel barriers along the sides.

Relegation and fines are meaningless to the leadout man if it gets his teammate the win. It is very harsh (the DQ) but given the carnage this year and two incidents in one sprint ... well I won't argue with it.