Why is the last stage a formality?
07-23-06, 09:42 AM
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I would think that the only hope of a challenge on the last day would come from a 2nd place GC with a very strong team doing a TTT, however, very quickly the Sprint teams and the other GC teams would chase the break down and after 19 stages perhaps put a stick in someone's wheel. A 9 man team (not that there are any left) couldn't break away from an angry Peleton. Armstrong was quoted a few years ago not wanting to fight out the GC by sprint bonuses on the last day, I believe he said it sounded like a very bad idea to him.
In 1989 they finished with an ITT rather than a sprint stage- different rules apply, and while it made for an interesting day (mostly because the race was so close and Lemond was returning after his hunting accident) a final ITT changes the race in other ways that didn't work out so well (thus we haven't seen that formula since).
Now the final stage is seen as a mere formality for the GC guys, however, the points competition can be won or lost on the final day (sadly not this year unless someone can't finish). The past 3 days have been a formality (excluding worrying about finishing outside the time limit in the ITT) for the KOM contenders. I also think that winning a stage in front of the biggest crowd of the race would please the sponsors.
In 1989 they finished with an ITT rather than a sprint stage- different rules apply, and while it made for an interesting day (mostly because the race was so close and Lemond was returning after his hunting accident) a final ITT changes the race in other ways that didn't work out so well (thus we haven't seen that formula since).
Now the final stage is seen as a mere formality for the GC guys, however, the points competition can be won or lost on the final day (sadly not this year unless someone can't finish). The past 3 days have been a formality (excluding worrying about finishing outside the time limit in the ITT) for the KOM contenders. I also think that winning a stage in front of the biggest crowd of the race would please the sponsors.
