This is one for the forum to consider.
As a cyclingfan, I am fortunate enough to have access to the Giro/TDF/Vuelta each year through Eurosport.
Looking at 2004 and 2005 Giro and the 2004 Vuelta, I think the organisers of both races have created grand tours which put the TDF in the ha'penny place when it comes to entertainment/suspense.
The 2004 Giro was superb.
The 2005 Giro has been very very entertaining so.
The 2005 version has seen the inclusion of some tough climbs early on and the fact that the roadmen as opposed to sprinters are contesting the finishes reminds me of the TDF in the 1980's (which I was fortunate to see).
Ditto the Vuelta. As a race the 2004 version wiped the floor with the TDF as regards entertainment.
In fact thinking about the TDF, I can only recall three T'DF which have been truly entertaining (1987, 1989, 1996 and 2003 : that's four 1987 is in there because of Stephen Roches win which I don't expect others to consider as being an all time great TDF).
That's a pretty poor return for nearly 20 years viewing.
Do people here feel that the TDF organisers could take a leaf from the Giro/Vuelta organisers books ?
As a cyclingfan, I am fortunate enough to have access to the Giro/TDF/Vuelta each year through Eurosport.
Looking at 2004 and 2005 Giro and the 2004 Vuelta, I think the organisers of both races have created grand tours which put the TDF in the ha'penny place when it comes to entertainment/suspense.
The 2004 Giro was superb.
The 2005 Giro has been very very entertaining so.
The 2005 version has seen the inclusion of some tough climbs early on and the fact that the roadmen as opposed to sprinters are contesting the finishes reminds me of the TDF in the 1980's (which I was fortunate to see).
Ditto the Vuelta. As a race the 2004 version wiped the floor with the TDF as regards entertainment.
In fact thinking about the TDF, I can only recall three T'DF which have been truly entertaining (1987, 1989, 1996 and 2003 : that's four 1987 is in there because of Stephen Roches win which I don't expect others to consider as being an all time great TDF).
That's a pretty poor return for nearly 20 years viewing.
Do people here feel that the TDF organisers could take a leaf from the Giro/Vuelta organisers books ?