Aren't these new TTT rules in the TdF AWESOME???!!!!

[marv800]

These new TTT rules for time lost by losing teams are great. I think they more accurately reflect the spirit of competition and preserves the integrity of the Tour. I think its more than fair. I think maybe to make things even more fair, all participants from previous years should be handicapped against riders for the current year based on how they placed in the final GC. Perhaps the winner from last year should be required to be held back 5 minutes from the start of each stage. Last years second place could be held back 3 minutes, and 3rd place, 1 minute per stage.

I think these new rules really embody the true spirit of competitive cycling. The concept of punishing superior performance, conditioning, and training, all while rewarding underperfomance is perfectly in line with the Socialist attitudes of France.

 

[gntlmn]

I don't know what happened to my post here. I clicked it, and it said posted, but then it wasn't. hmmm

Anyway, I think that the TTT makes more of a statement than anything else about who has the best team for the Tour. It's nice to gain a huge time advantage in this event, but if you win, you probably don't need it that much. The event itself says much about the strength of your team and the odds of your team leader to win the TdF.

Also, I think Heras' leaving USPS last year did not hurt them because he is not as strong in the time trial. Being a smaller man, his draft is not as impressive either. In the mountains, sure he would help, but that's not where drafts mean as much. The speeds are slower and the draft effect diminished. I think he will do well for himself this year in GC, but I think the press overrated his significance for USPS in helping Lance.

It will be interesting to see how he and the other climbers compete in the mountains. I'm looking forward to next Wednesday, when the action heats up in the Pyrenees.