Are TDF time bonuses "fair"
 

TDF rules give "time bonuses" (a reduction in time of rider's total time) to the winners of various stages and sprints.

I can't find the exact rules but the I think the time factors for the bonuses are usually 20 seconds or less....

I'm kind of thinking the tour has given too much emphasis to the mountain climbers and time bonuses for "flat stage" wins needs to be increased to "balance" the tour and make it more competitive. If the bonuses were say for "60 seconds" on some stages it would make the climbers think twice about sitting-in most of the early stages.....

What do you think.??

Life is not fair.How about no bonuses?Then the best Mf wins.NO argument.

Kind of reminds of the dumb ass NHL overtime loss point rule.

Fastest time wins, no bonus.

The bonuses exist to amke the recae more interesting for television [originally radio] coverage. The idea is that they motivate riders to race more agressively throughout the stage, and not just focus their energies on the end. They are fair because everyone gets the same crack at them and, to my knowledge, the final GC winner has never been determined by the bonuses.

i just always figured that the TDF was a climbers race just like some of the one day classics or other tours are geared (hahaha) for other types of riders.
like in tennis: some players can never win on clay.

i am a rookie when it comes to watching racing (thank you OLN) so i might be off base here.

The sprint primes, etc., also benefit the spectators in the towns they're placed, n'est pas (the extent of my French)? Rather than increase the bonus, I'd be in favor of increasing the number of primes.

Without any time bonuses, there would be little or no reason for sprinters, other than personal recognition. In a pack finish, first across the line would get the same time as the pack!?!?

The TdF, and probably all the grand tours, favor the climbers, and to a lesser extent, time trialers. Those are the only stages where the effort of entire teams can't eclipse a potential tour winners capability (as it does in flat stages). In the flat stages, well, the sprint primes and kamikaze breakaways are about all there is to look forward to.