This years TdF pace slower, attacks fewer

It's hot the tactics are a little different and it's early in the race. Beside doping is not a factor we know they all do it. So why would doping be a factor. 😄

Along with the heat, could wind also be a factor?

rejobako said:

I thought you weren't interested and couldn't be bothered to tune in.

Or are you opining based on what you read in the papers?

Bako - I haven't watched the TDF thus far.

But I have seen the news coverage of the results on news progs : and they're showing crashes and spills (Valverde/O'Grady/Dekker).
The usual first week TDF stuff.

Or are you telling me that there are no crashes in the stages so far, and that somehow this year is different?

limerickman said:

Bako - I haven't watched the TDF thus far.

But I have seen the news coverage of the results on news progs : and they're showing crashes and spills (Valverde/O'Grady/Dekker).
The usual first week TDF stuff.

Or are you telling me that there are no crashes in the stages so far, and that somehow this year is different?

If you havent been watching the race, you might try and not post ignorant statements like the Tour is exactly the same and disagree vehemently with those of us who HAVE watched it.
It is VERY different.
SLower.
Less attacks.
Less last minute flyers.
The sprinting has been different.
No teams are out front doing anything except QS.
There is a huge void in the race and Disco is letting everyone feel it.
Theis year Disco has no interest in keeping the pace high to tire everyone else out before the mountains, as they quite succesfully did every other year.

limerickman said:

Bako - I haven't watched the TDF thus far.

But I have seen the news coverage of the results on news progs : and they're showing crashes and spills (Valverde/O'Grady/Dekker).
The usual first week TDF stuff.

Or are you telling me that there are no crashes in the stages so far, and that somehow this year is different?

It's slower, otherwise no notable differences. The fact that it is slower (today's the first day over 45 km/h, just a bit, still slower than all the early stages last year) is interesting to some of us.

Well, that is not right, there are notable differences, for one the lack of a DC dominant team to take charge. But the slower speed is interesting.

bobke said:

Theis year Disco has no interest in keeping the pace high to tire everyone else out before the mountains, as they quite succesfully did every other year.

That's a good point.

What do the lower speeds this year mean for the race later? Would we expect more attacks in the mountains, since riders are less tired?

JRMDC said:

It's slower, otherwise no notable differences. The fact that it is slower (today's the first day over 45 km/h, just a bit, still slower than all the early stages last year) is interesting to some of us.

Well, that is not right, there are notable differences, for one the lack of a DC dominant team to take charge. But the slower speed is interesting.

I was thinking the same thing. With slower speeds and a less organized peloton I would almost say this week has been a bit better. The breaks have been left dangling a little longer than usual. Crashes as usual. McEwan's sprints have been as entertaining as ever. As for no fliers, what about Kessler having a go 2 days in a row and finally winning? And Friere taking the win, he is always great to watch.

JRMDC said:

That's a good point.

What do the lower speeds this year mean for the race later? Would we expect more attacks in the mountains, since riders are less tired?

Yes, I think more attacks because the GC guys are gonna be more conservative with each other and mark each other. Breaks will go away, but because the time gaps are so small, unless the field spreads out after the TT the breaks will have to be caught. So it is in their interest for the field to spead out more in terms of time.

People are saving it for the last week when the race is backloaded with two big mountain top finishes back to back, the another monster mnt stage with a thrilling downhill off of Joux Plane and the final TT shortly thereafter.

The GC guys plan to peak next week.
Levi will therefor do just OK tomorrow ssince he will be sluggsish after winning Dauphine so recently.
Floyd and Zabreeskee will be flying.
Evans?

bobke said:

It is VERY different.
SLower.
Less attacks.
Less last minute flyers.
The sprinting has been different.
No teams are out front doing anything except QS.
There is a huge void in the race and Disco is letting everyone feel it.
Theis year Disco has no interest in keeping the pace high to tire everyone else out before the mountains, as they quite succesfully did every other year.

Is that you, or is your wife replying ?

Speed's slower you reckon?
Speed is slower this year.

Speed would be slower this year BECAUSE THEY'VE TRAVELLED 20% FURTHER THIS YEAR, THAN THEY DID LAST YEAR, BY STAGE 6.

That would explain why there are less attacks.
That would explain why there are less breakaways.
That would explain.................

Seems you're the ignorant one.

limerickman said:

Is that you, or is your wife replying ?

Speed's slower you reckon?
Speed is slower this year.

Speed would be slower this year BECAUSE THEY'VE TRAVELLED 20% FURTHER THIS YEAR, THAN THEY DID LAST YEAR, BY STAGE 6.

That would explain why there are less attacks.
That would explain why there are less breakaways.
That would explain.................

Seems you're the ignorant one.

Gosh, Lim, that is very interesting and useful! Too bad it gets buried in yet another wave of antagonism between you and other participants in this board. Such a pain in the rear to read your stuff sometimes.

But let me respond by engaging, maybe it will even work. Part of why distance is down this year (or entirely the reason?) is that last year, by this point, there was a TTT. Shorter distance, less time in the saddle, but is it physiologically less effort even when you are pushing to the utmost the entire time? I don't know.

Also, speeds were down this year right off the bat, not only after a number of days where kilometers accumulated. What is your explanation for the initial slow speeds?

JRMDC said:

Gosh, Lim, that is very interesting and useful! Too bad it gets buried in yet another wave of antagonism between you and other participants in this board. Such a pain in the rear to read your stuff sometimes.

But let me respond by engaging, maybe it will even work. Part of why distance is down this year (or entirely the reason?) is that last year, by this point, there was a TTT. Shorter distance, less time in the saddle, but is it physiologically less effort even when you are pushing to the utmost the entire time? I don't know.

Also, speeds were down this year right off the bat, not only after a number of days where kilometers accumulated. What is your explanation for the initial slow speeds?

Could be a combination of factors, JR.

The heat in Europe (and even here in my country) has been above average the past few weeks.

The distance covered by stage 6 this year - is 20% further than it was last year.
Therefore speeds are bound to be slower.

Plus we have had a whole bunch of riders removed from the TDF : so with the increased distance covered thus far, and with fewer riders riding, they're probably trying to conserve energy given that it is only week one at this point
A combination of these factors, would explain the drop in average speed.

I think the spees are down for a combination of two reasons.......
The heat. I do not know what last year was, but I know the heat has been commented on several times.

And several riders also said that no one is driving the field like Disco has in the past.

The sprinting seems different because I think the lack of the bigger trains as in years past. Milram is there, but sadly my man Zabel has seen better days. Milrams best sprinter is at home.

The sprints seem disorganized, not as "teamlike" as usual.

The sprints are still exciting. Boonen just hasn't put it together for whatever reasons we may debate. But McEwen has shown up to compete.

So far, the only ones that seem to be racing are the 'breakaway guys", QS to keep the breaks contained, and McEwen.
As well as McEwen is racing, it is a shame we have to have hills this year. I would love to see that Aussie ride into paris in yellow. He came to play.

Heat I have mentioned also for those that can count..... consider the necsessity of speed.
No one has a GC contender that has any big time advantage...comprende?,ok now how many riders does it take out of a team to make a sucessful break?
Give up?
More than 1 or 2, so how many teams need commit a lot of riders?
So far not that many and a 4 man breakaway won't work so why increase the pace to catch them?
Of course I am not a team manager,but it seems very simple to me.
Supply and demand! Why supply and deplete when there is no demand?
DUH!

jhuskey said:

Heat I have mentioned also for those that can count..... consider the necsessity of speed.
No one has a GC contender that has any big time advantage...comprende?,ok now how many riders does it take out of a team to make a sucessful break?
Give up?
More than 1 or 2, so how many teams need commit a lot of riders?
So far not that many and a 4 man breakaway won't work so why increase the pace to catch them?
Of course I am not a team manager,but it seems very simple to me.
Supply and demand! Why supply and deplete when there is no demand?
DUH!

Right, which is one more way of saying that besides the fact that the racing is listless and boring, that the course "forced" them to be. One more reason why the race is duller than dishwater so far.

ATM said:

Along with the heat, could wind also be a factor?

EXACTLY!!!! Plus what about the terrain and other factors. LOL

VaBiker said:

EXACTLY!!!! Plus what about the terrain and other factors. LOL

WOW! Terrain and weather!!!!!!

Yeah! I hadnt think of that!

Its never hot other years is it, like 2003 during the worst heat wave of the century, when thousands of French people died that summer , and the race was 3-5 km an hour faster at this point,
or 2001 when they raced the first week over many categorized climbs in rain and 40 degree Farenheit temps before reaching the Alps at a much faster pace.

No guys, this is different and weird.
The only course similar in the last decade was 99 when there were a lot of flat stages and no TTT.

bobke said:

Right, which is one more way of saying that besides the fact that the racing is listless and boring, that the course "forced" them to be. One more reason why the race is duller than dishwater so far.

I have faith...... it will get better.Someone will rise to the occasion as it is still early.
Lets see what happens tomorrow otherwiae I challenge you all to a race to the top of New Found Gap in the smokies.

jhuskey said:

I have faith...... it will get better.Someone will rise to the occasion as it is still early.
Lets see what happens tomorrow otherwiae I challenge you all to a race to the top of New Found Gap in the smokies.

I accept your challenge... is it okay if I leave now??? :p

You do any hiking up there? If you do, and you have seen Abram's Bald in April, you should give it a try.

jhuskey said:

I have faith...... it will get better.Someone will rise to the occasion as it is still early.
Lets see what happens tomorrow otherwiae I challenge you all to a race to the top of New Found Gap in the smokies.

I would do anything to be down there riding.
Was in college a few hours away about 3 hundred years ago.
Very very beautiful riding.

Mansmind said:

I accept your challenge... is it okay if I leave now??? :p

You do any hiking up there? If you do, and you have seen Abram's Bald in April, you should give it a try.

Not anymore,if I have any time and energy I am on the bike since I stopped skiing but I know of where you speak.
I use to hike to Mt LeConte via the power and phone lines(veretical) almost as it saved an hour or so by leaving the trail.
I am so short of time these days I spend my time working,cycling or on my boat.
It is a pity not being able to ride as I once did just to stay in shape to ski, 250 mile a week, and that was just a casual tour and now a monumental challenge.
Getting old is .......well sucks!!! Oh to be 32 again!