beef about tour stage winners

"Gary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I seem to get upset every time somebody wins a stage because "they are
so far down the GC that they are no threat." That means the top riders
and their teams allow these would-be stage winners to get away from the
best riders of that tour without much of a fight and yet there is
rejoicing when some rider who fell way off the GC pace beats the other
also-rans to the finish line in a seemingly meaningless adventure over
the parcours. It's up to the weaker teams (evidently with some lower GC
positions at stake) to chase these breaks since the main teams don't care.
I know there is nothing to be done about this but it still bothers me.
And I surely don't want to hear that so-and-so "was the strongest today"
because he accomplished this only semi-impressive feat. Whoopee! He beat
a few other riders so far down in the GC that THEY were no threat
either. "What a big win this is for" so-and-so! Gosh!
There! I got that off my chest.
Gary

It isn't a whole lot different than letting a no-hoper go off the front in a
long road race to get a prime or intermediate points sprint. Just on a
larger scale.

"Gary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I seem to get upset every time somebody wins a stage because "they are
so far down the GC that they are no threat." That means the top riders
and their teams allow these would-be stage winners to get away from the
best riders of that tour without much of a fight and yet there is
rejoicing when some rider who fell way off the GC pace beats the other
also-rans to the finish line in a seemingly meaningless adventure over
the parcours. It's up to the weaker teams (evidently with some lower GC
positions at stake) to chase these breaks since the main teams don't care.
I know there is nothing to be done about this but it still bothers me.
And I surely don't want to hear that so-and-so "was the strongest today"
because he accomplished this only semi-impressive feat. Whoopee! He beat
a few other riders so far down in the GC that THEY were no threat
either. "What a big win this is for" so-and-so! Gosh!
There! I got that off my chest.
Gary

Too many stage races and not enough single day (winner take all) races.
It's only going to get worse with the "Pro Tour".
-Mike

Gary said:

I seem to get upset every time somebody wins a stage because "they are
so far down the GC that they are no threat." That means the top riders
and their teams allow these would-be stage winners to get away from the
best riders of that tour without much of a fight and yet there is
rejoicing when some rider who fell way off the GC pace beats the other
also-rans to the finish line in a seemingly meaningless adventure over
the parcours. It's up to the weaker teams (evidently with some lower GC
positions at stake) to chase these breaks since the main teams don't care.
I know there is nothing to be done about this but it still bothers me.
And I surely don't want to hear that so-and-so "was the strongest today"
because he accomplished this only semi-impressive feat. Whoopee! He beat
a few other riders so far down in the GC that THEY were no threat
either. "What a big win this is for" so-and-so! Gosh!
There! I got that off my chest.
Gary

that seems to be what stage racing is about though. although sometimes
the leader wants to "stamp his authority" on a prestigious stage by
winning it.

as carl pointed out, this is also often how things like the king of the
mountains award is won. some people complain about it, and some people
think that's the way the strategy goes. why does it bother you? (curious)

when you think about all the times someone has been in a break all day,
but is caught on the final climb, or in the final flat kilometer, maybe
you will have a little respect for those who make it all the way to the
finish line to actually win the stage. (or maybe that's just me)

heather, putting off training by wasting time posting..

That's my point. It is so exciting to see the break reeled back in by
the riders. I hate hearing, "Well, he's no threat so they let him go!"
That seems such a poor basis for awarding a stage win. Find the best of
the non-contenders and let them go at it while the best riders and teams
sit back and relax. Just seems wrong. I understand it's part of the tour
set-up but I still dislike it. Especially when all the teams with GC
riders in contention hold back the entire squad and just watch. Yeck! I
wish they could each send SOMEBODY up the road to contest. But I know
that ain't gonna happen.

h squared said:

Gary said:

I seem to get upset every time somebody wins a stage because "they are
so far down the GC that they are no threat." That means the top riders
and their teams allow these would-be stage winners to get away from the
best riders of that tour without much of a fight and yet there is
rejoicing when some rider who fell way off the GC pace beats the other
also-rans to the finish line in a seemingly meaningless adventure over
the parcours. It's up to the weaker teams (evidently with some lower GC
positions at stake) to chase these breaks since the main teams don't care.
I know there is nothing to be done about this but it still bothers me.
And I surely don't want to hear that so-and-so "was the strongest today"
because he accomplished this only semi-impressive feat. Whoopee! He beat
a few other riders so far down in the GC that THEY were no threat
either. "What a big win this is for" so-and-so! Gosh!
There! I got that off my chest.
Gary

that seems to be what stage racing is about though. although sometimes
the leader wants to "stamp his authority" on a prestigious stage by
winning it.

as carl pointed out, this is also often how things like the king of the
mountains award is won. some people complain about it, and some people
think that's the way the strategy goes. why does it bother you? (curious)

when you think about all the times someone has been in a break all day,
but is caught on the final climb, or in the final flat kilometer, maybe
you will have a little respect for those who make it all the way to the
finish line to actually win the stage. (or maybe that's just me)

heather, putting off training by wasting time posting..

h squared said:

Gary said:

I seem to get upset every time somebody wins a stage because "they are
so far down the GC that they are no threat." That means the top riders
and their teams allow these would-be stage winners to get away from the
best riders of that tour without much of a fight and yet there is
rejoicing when some rider who fell way off the GC pace beats the other
also-rans to the finish line in a seemingly meaningless adventure over
the parcours. It's up to the weaker teams (evidently with some lower GC
positions at stake) to chase these breaks since the main teams don't
care.
I know there is nothing to be done about this but it still bothers me.
And I surely don't want to hear that so-and-so "was the strongest today"
because he accomplished this only semi-impressive feat. Whoopee! He beat
a few other riders so far down in the GC that THEY were no threat
either. "What a big win this is for" so-and-so! Gosh!
There! I got that off my chest.
Gary

that seems to be what stage racing is about though. although sometimes
the leader wants to "stamp his authority" on a prestigious stage by
winning it.

as carl pointed out, this is also often how things like the king of the
mountains award is won. some people complain about it, and some people
think that's the way the strategy goes. why does it bother you? (curious)

when you think about all the times someone has been in a break all day,
but is caught on the final climb, or in the final flat kilometer, maybe
you will have a little respect for those who make it all the way to the
finish line to actually win the stage. (or maybe that's just me)

heather, putting off training by wasting time posting..

Personally, I have great respect for anyone who wins any stage of a major
bike race. Heck, I'm trying to ride my first century this year, and these
guys ride one every day for 3 weeks. And they do it fast over incredible
terrain. If I was number 100 on GC, I'd go for a win.

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

Gary said:

That's my point. It is so exciting to see the break reeled back in by
the riders. I hate hearing, "Well, he's no threat so they let him go!"
That seems such a poor basis for awarding a stage win. Find the best of
the non-contenders and let them go at it while the best riders and teams
sit back and relax. Just seems wrong. I understand it's part of the tour
set-up but I still dislike it. Especially when all the teams with GC
riders in contention hold back the entire squad and just watch. Yeck! I
wish they could each send SOMEBODY up the road to contest. But I know
that ain't gonna happen.

those noncontenders on a solo or two man break still have to basically
time trial the damn thing just as fast as the peleton (peloton?
peletaaan? can't speel) is following.

my experience is really limited, but i know i finished courses in a
protected group in an hour and 22 minutes that i could only time trial
at 1:35 on a very good day. there's no way i would ever get the guts to
try to ride away from a group of the best pros in the world.

heather
p.s. i don't mean to be arguing with you, i'm ok with you not liking the
situation 🙂 just sayin how i see it.

Bob in CT said:

Personally, I have great respect for anyone who wins any stage of a major
bike race. Heck, I'm trying to ride my first century this year, and these
guys ride one every day for 3 weeks. And they do it fast over incredible
terrain.

that's what i thought too after i did my first leisurely century. ("god
i'm freaking tired! now if i just raced this instead of cruising it, and
then did it 20 more times, then i might know a little what it's like to
do a stage race"😉 never tried it out though!

heather

Gary said:

That's my point. It is so exciting to see the break reeled back in by
the riders. I hate hearing, "Well, he's no threat so they let him go!"
That seems such a poor basis for awarding a stage win. Find the best of
the non-contenders and let them go at it while the best riders and teams
sit back and relax. Just seems wrong. I understand it's part of the tour
set-up but I still dislike it. Especially when all the teams with GC
riders in contention hold back the entire squad and just watch. Yeck! I
wish they could each send SOMEBODY up the road to contest. But I know
that ain't gonna happen.

GC, schmee see. That's less than half the race.

Non-contenders aren't necessarily looser-wash-up nobodies. What about
all the classics riders that show up for the tour hunting for stage
wins? Dekker? Flecha? don't you remember Flecha from last year?

Don't want to watch? Be my guest.

"Gary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I seem to get upset every time somebody wins a stage because "they are
so far down the GC that they are no threat." That means the top riders
and their teams allow these would-be stage winners to get away from the
best riders of that tour without much of a fight and yet there is
rejoicing when some rider who fell way off the GC pace beats the other
also-rans to the finish line in a seemingly meaningless adventure over
the parcours. It's up to the weaker teams (evidently with some lower GC
positions at stake) to chase these breaks since the main teams don't care.
I know there is nothing to be done about this but it still bothers me.
And I surely don't want to hear that so-and-so "was the strongest today"
because he accomplished this only semi-impressive feat. Whoopee! He beat
a few other riders so far down in the GC that THEY were no threat
either.

Is this a troll? Uh, the only reason that droping on GC helps in stage wins
is that it means you do not have to race against the entire teams that
contain GC hopefuls. This is not even an issue in single day races but in
Tours, the teams with highly placed GC riders have an obligation to chase
down any threat to GC but not necessarily stage winners. It still means you
race against the whole peloton, but there is no additional conflict with the
few highest teams (on GC). This is why it is so very hard (and damn near
impossible) for riders high on GC to actually take a stage win aside from
mountain top finishes and TTs.

Get it?

"What a big win this is for" so-and-so! Gosh!

Quoted message said:

There! I got that off my chest.
Gary

"Gary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

That's my point. It is so exciting to see the break reeled back in by
the riders. I hate hearing, "Well, he's no threat so they let him go!"
That seems such a poor basis for awarding a stage win. Find the best of
the non-contenders and let them go at it while the best riders and teams

You are taking the comentary far too literally. The whole race is not
letting him go, the few teams with GC prospects might let him go in order to
look after their GC man. They would not be racing for the stage win anyway,
so why do you care? Do you think there should be no stage wins for any rider
past 5th on GC? I think you really are missing the whole point of GTs and
bike racing. Maybe you need to learn more than what you pick up from people
that are merely paid to talk during the racing whether there is something
important to say or not.

Quoted message said:

sit back and relax. Just seems wrong. I understand it's part of the tour
set-up but I still dislike it. Especially when all the teams with GC
riders in contention hold back the entire squad and just watch. Yeck! I
wish they could each send SOMEBODY up the road to contest. But I know
that ain't gonna happen.

h squared said:

Gary said:

I seem to get upset every time somebody wins a stage because "they are
so far down the GC that they are no threat." That means the top riders
and their teams allow these would-be stage winners to get away from the
best riders of that tour without much of a fight and yet there is
rejoicing when some rider who fell way off the GC pace beats the other
also-rans to the finish line in a seemingly meaningless adventure over
the parcours. It's up to the weaker teams (evidently with some lower GC
positions at stake) to chase these breaks since the main teams don't

care.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I know there is nothing to be done about this but it still bothers me.
And I surely don't want to hear that so-and-so "was the strongest today"
because he accomplished this only semi-impressive feat. Whoopee! He beat
a few other riders so far down in the GC that THEY were no threat
either. "What a big win this is for" so-and-so! Gosh!
There! I got that off my chest.
Gary

that seems to be what stage racing is about though. although sometimes
the leader wants to "stamp his authority" on a prestigious stage by
winning it.

as carl pointed out, this is also often how things like the king of the
mountains award is won. some people complain about it, and some people
think that's the way the strategy goes. why does it bother you?

(curious)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

when you think about all the times someone has been in a break all day,
but is caught on the final climb, or in the final flat kilometer, maybe
you will have a little respect for those who make it all the way to the
finish line to actually win the stage. (or maybe that's just me)

heather, putting off training by wasting time posting..

Gary said:

I seem to get upset every time somebody wins a stage because "they are
so far down the GC that they are no threat." That means the top riders
and their teams allow these would-be stage winners to get away from the
best riders of that tour without much of a fight and yet there is
rejoicing when some rider who fell way off the GC pace beats the other
also-rans to the finish line in a seemingly meaningless adventure over
the parcours. It's up to the weaker teams (evidently with some lower GC
positions at stake) to chase these breaks since the main teams don't
care. I know there is nothing to be done about this but it still bothers
me. And I surely don't want to hear that so-and-so "was the strongest
today" because he accomplished this only semi-impressive feat. Whoopee!
He beat a few other riders so far down in the GC that THEY were no
threat either. "What a big win this is for" so-and-so! Gosh! There! I
got that off my chest. Gary

Well, what else do you want to have happen during one of the non-
mountain stages? Hmm? It's not that the GC contenders just _let_
anything go. Especially in the TdF where there is so much publicity to
be had, guys attack like mad in the first 20-30km of the race to try and
BE one of those guys that the GC contenders "let go". It's not exactly
that they are let go, but the GC contenders have to pick and choose
where to expend their energy and as long as they guys off the front
aren't a threat to the GC/Points/Mountains jersey competitions, then
there isn't a real point in chasing them down and using precious energy
of your team or your GC rider. Unfortunately, you don't get to see all
of this on TV as the coverage doesn't start until a few hours into the
race. Getting into a successful break is an impressive feat - you have
to get lucky and get in the right move with the right guys (witness the
poor [censored] who went off the front w/Stefano Garzelli in that one
stage of the Giro - they were doomed from the minute he made the bridge
to them, or the time that Cioni went with the break in Stage 5 - none of
the guys wanted him there because he was a GC threat and the other teams
would have to chase the break down, so they ditched him (and Fred Rod
because they don't want a good sprinter with them either)). There are
only a dozen real GC contenders in the pack, 10 real sprinters and 200
guys who want to win a stage. There's more competition for the in-
between stages that are won from breaks than for the mountain top
finishes or the sprints. And as peckledoggy pointed out, you have to
actually be strong enough to stay away, especially if the stage is flat
and the sprinters' teams are chasing. Before you go ranting about bike
racing and what you view as being wrong with the sport, why not watch a
few races and learn why things happen the way they do?

--

Chris said:

They would not be racing for the stage win anyway,
so why do you care? Do you think there should be no stage wins for any rider
past 5th on GC?

Besides, sometimes the real fun is when a non-contender break turns
into something else altogether. Sometimes a new team leader shows up
because he was marking a nothing break that kept going. Or the
contenders are looking at each other only to realize that up the road
is real danger. Who wants to watch five podium contenders mark each
other for 20-23 stages? Besides, it forces the announcers to memorize
everyone's name (not that I would know if they were making up the
entire lead group sometimes).

My sympathies are the other way. I sometimes wish there was less
communication, to reintroduce an element of chance that is diminished.
Dropped train gates aren't the excitement they once were. Nor are
breaks that lose touch with the peloton.

Curtis L. Russell
Odenton, MD (USA)
Just someone on two wheels...

I am not at all saying these riders aren't doing something hard. It's
just that the illusion is they did more than it appears. If they were
really GC contenders it would not have happened for them. It's like
Rassmussen said about not coming in with a good time the day before he
won a stage. If he was close they never would have let him go. Seems
wrong to drop back out of contention so you can escape without being
chased by the contending teams.

h squared said:

Bob in CT said:

Personally, I have great respect for anyone who wins any stage of a major
bike race. Heck, I'm trying to ride my first century this year, and these
guys ride one every day for 3 weeks. And they do it fast over incredible
terrain.

that's what i thought too after i did my first leisurely century. ("god
i'm freaking tired! now if i just raced this instead of cruising it, and
then did it 20 more times, then i might know a little what it's like to
do a stage race"😉 never tried it out though!

heather

Man, you don't know much about trolls. I'm just pointing out what I see
as an unfortunate situation in stage races that always bothers me. Of
course, it's not an issue in one-day races. Duh!

Chris said:

"Gary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I seem to get upset every time somebody wins a stage because "they are
so far down the GC that they are no threat." That means the top riders
and their teams allow these would-be stage winners to get away from the
best riders of that tour without much of a fight and yet there is
rejoicing when some rider who fell way off the GC pace beats the other
also-rans to the finish line in a seemingly meaningless adventure over
the parcours. It's up to the weaker teams (evidently with some lower GC
positions at stake) to chase these breaks since the main teams don't care.
I know there is nothing to be done about this but it still bothers me.
And I surely don't want to hear that so-and-so "was the strongest today"
because he accomplished this only semi-impressive feat. Whoopee! He beat
a few other riders so far down in the GC that THEY were no threat
either.

Is this a troll? Uh, the only reason that droping on GC helps in stage wins
is that it means you do not have to race against the entire teams that
contain GC hopefuls. This is not even an issue in single day races but in
Tours, the teams with highly placed GC riders have an obligation to chase
down any threat to GC but not necessarily stage winners. It still means you
race against the whole peloton, but there is no additional conflict with the
few highest teams (on GC). This is why it is so very hard (and damn near
impossible) for riders high on GC to actually take a stage win aside from
mountain top finishes and TTs.

Get it?

"What a big win this is for" so-and-so! Gosh!

Quoted message said:

There! I got that off my chest.
Gary

No way, Buddy. I post occasionally and never try to insult or name call.
I ask questions I am interested in or in this case just state
something that bothers me. I also stated I knew there was nothing to be
done about it. I have watched enough racing to know it's the proper
strategy for contending teams but it is nonetheless unfortunate for me.
I guess I just wish every stage would be fully contested. So, drop the
troll stuff.

Mark VandenBerghe said:

Troll

Mark VandenBerghe

"Gary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I seem to get upset every time somebody wins a stage because "they are
so far down the GC that they are no threat." That means the top riders
and their teams allow these would-be stage winners to get away from the
best riders of that tour without much of a fight and yet there is
rejoicing when some rider who fell way off the GC pace beats the other
also-rans to the finish line in a seemingly meaningless adventure over
the parcours. It's up to the weaker teams (evidently with some lower GC
positions at stake) to chase these breaks since the main teams don't care.
I know there is nothing to be done about this but it still bothers me.
And I surely don't want to hear that so-and-so "was the strongest today"
because he accomplished this only semi-impressive feat. Whoopee! He beat
a few other riders so far down in the GC that THEY were no threat
either. "What a big win this is for" so-and-so! Gosh!
There! I got that off my chest.
Gary

Troll

Mark VandenBerghe

"Gary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I seem to get upset every time somebody wins a stage because "they are
so far down the GC that they are no threat." That means the top riders
and their teams allow these would-be stage winners to get away from the
best riders of that tour without much of a fight and yet there is
rejoicing when some rider who fell way off the GC pace beats the other
also-rans to the finish line in a seemingly meaningless adventure over
the parcours. It's up to the weaker teams (evidently with some lower GC
positions at stake) to chase these breaks since the main teams don't care.
I know there is nothing to be done about this but it still bothers me.
And I surely don't want to hear that so-and-so "was the strongest today"
because he accomplished this only semi-impressive feat. Whoopee! He beat
a few other riders so far down in the GC that THEY were no threat
either. "What a big win this is for" so-and-so! Gosh!
There! I got that off my chest.
Gary

I have watched countless races on TV and several in person. I love the
sport but just always regret when these guys are chased by only two or
three teams. I guess I enjoy watching a REAL break get chased down or be
able to stay away. It's exciting to see if the pelton can pull back a
break or not and whether the timing will be just right. Same for when a
break is pulle dback so the sprinters can contest the win.I just dislike
hearing, "He's no threat so they let him go." I understand the strategy
and would do the same thing as team leader. Doesn't mean I have to like
it as a fan.
Savvy?

pedalchick said:

Gary said:

I seem to get upset every time somebody wins a stage because "they are
so far down the GC that they are no threat." That means the top riders
and their teams allow these would-be stage winners to get away from the
best riders of that tour without much of a fight and yet there is
rejoicing when some rider who fell way off the GC pace beats the other
also-rans to the finish line in a seemingly meaningless adventure over
the parcours. It's up to the weaker teams (evidently with some lower GC
positions at stake) to chase these breaks since the main teams don't
care. I know there is nothing to be done about this but it still bothers
me. And I surely don't want to hear that so-and-so "was the strongest
today" because he accomplished this only semi-impressive feat. Whoopee!
He beat a few other riders so far down in the GC that THEY were no
threat either. "What a big win this is for" so-and-so! Gosh! There! I
got that off my chest. Gary

Well, what else do you want to have happen during one of the non-
mountain stages? Hmm? It's not that the GC contenders just _let_
anything go. Especially in the TdF where there is so much publicity to
be had, guys attack like mad in the first 20-30km of the race to try and
BE one of those guys that the GC contenders "let go". It's not exactly
that they are let go, but the GC contenders have to pick and choose
where to expend their energy and as long as they guys off the front
aren't a threat to the GC/Points/Mountains jersey competitions, then
there isn't a real point in chasing them down and using precious energy
of your team or your GC rider. Unfortunately, you don't get to see all
of this on TV as the coverage doesn't start until a few hours into the
race. Getting into a successful break is an impressive feat - you have
to get lucky and get in the right move with the right guys (witness the
poor [censored] who went off the front w/Stefano Garzelli in that one
stage of the Giro - they were doomed from the minute he made the bridge
to them, or the time that Cioni went with the break in Stage 5 - none of
the guys wanted him there because he was a GC threat and the other teams
would have to chase the break down, so they ditched him (and Fred Rod
because they don't want a good sprinter with them either)). There are
only a dozen real GC contenders in the pack, 10 real sprinters and 200
guys who want to win a stage. There's more competition for the in-
between stages that are won from breaks than for the mountain top
finishes or the sprints. And as peckledoggy pointed out, you have to
actually be strong enough to stay away, especially if the stage is flat
and the sprinters' teams are chasing. Before you go ranting about bike
racing and what you view as being wrong with the sport, why not watch a
few races and learn why things happen the way they do?

--

This is what I'm talking about. Back off GC so nobody will chase you:

"Danish climber Michael Rasmussen (1999 World MTB Champion) took it easy
in yesterday's stage to Sisteron, losing 11'47" and dropping out of
contention for the overall. But on today's penultimate stage, Rasmussen
took a gamble and attacked from the start up the Col Bayard out of Gap,
looking for a stage win.

"I had to make up for yesterday when I took it easy", explained the
rail-thin Dane whose mountain bike nickname 'Chicken' is beginning to
circulate in the road peloton. "Yesterday I made a tactical decision to
take it easy and today it worked out."

Rasmussen's director sportif Erik Breukink told Cyclingnews that, "After
Michael had problems on the Ventoux, he wasn't that interested in 9th on
GC, so he took it easy yesterday to attack today. Yes, you can plan it,
but to do it is another thing."

pedalchick said:

Gary said:

I seem to get upset every time somebody wins a stage because "they are
so far down the GC that they are no threat." That means the top riders
and their teams allow these would-be stage winners to get away from the
best riders of that tour without much of a fight and yet there is
rejoicing when some rider who fell way off the GC pace beats the other
also-rans to the finish line in a seemingly meaningless adventure over
the parcours. It's up to the weaker teams (evidently with some lower GC
positions at stake) to chase these breaks since the main teams don't
care. I know there is nothing to be done about this but it still bothers
me. And I surely don't want to hear that so-and-so "was the strongest
today" because he accomplished this only semi-impressive feat. Whoopee!
He beat a few other riders so far down in the GC that THEY were no
threat either. "What a big win this is for" so-and-so! Gosh! There! I
got that off my chest. Gary

Well, what else do you want to have happen during one of the non-
mountain stages? Hmm? It's not that the GC contenders just _let_
anything go. Especially in the TdF where there is so much publicity to
be had, guys attack like mad in the first 20-30km of the race to try and
BE one of those guys that the GC contenders "let go". It's not exactly
that they are let go, but the GC contenders have to pick and choose
where to expend their energy and as long as they guys off the front
aren't a threat to the GC/Points/Mountains jersey competitions, then
there isn't a real point in chasing them down and using precious energy
of your team or your GC rider. Unfortunately, you don't get to see all
of this on TV as the coverage doesn't start until a few hours into the
race. Getting into a successful break is an impressive feat - you have
to get lucky and get in the right move with the right guys (witness the
poor [censored] who went off the front w/Stefano Garzelli in that one
stage of the Giro - they were doomed from the minute he made the bridge
to them, or the time that Cioni went with the break in Stage 5 - none of
the guys wanted him there because he was a GC threat and the other teams
would have to chase the break down, so they ditched him (and Fred Rod
because they don't want a good sprinter with them either)). There are
only a dozen real GC contenders in the pack, 10 real sprinters and 200
guys who want to win a stage. There's more competition for the in-
between stages that are won from breaks than for the mountain top
finishes or the sprints. And as peckledoggy pointed out, you have to
actually be strong enough to stay away, especially if the stage is flat
and the sprinters' teams are chasing. Before you go ranting about bike
racing and what you view as being wrong with the sport, why not watch a
few races and learn why things happen the way they do?

--

"Gary" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

No way, Buddy. I post occasionally and never try to insult or name call.
I ask questions I am interested in or in this case just state
something that bothers me. I also stated I knew there was nothing to be
done about it. I have watched enough racing to know it's the proper
strategy for contending teams but it is nonetheless unfortunate for me.
I guess I just wish every stage would be fully contested. So, drop the
troll stuff.

Perhaps you'd prefer to watch omniums??