[Other Sport] Tour de France 2020

[Weststander]

I think Stat normally posts this, but I will get in quick with it....any excuse to hear the theme again. Still have this as my ringtone. Classic.

That was and is heavenly. Especially to already lovers of synth sounds.

Will never forget that magical music. Then over to the brilliant duo of Leggett and Sherwen.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Then have to quarantine for 2 weeks. Might just stick to the TV coverage this year.

Next year eh?!

 

[Bold Seagull]

Never watched any competitive outdoor cycling, but go on then, there's not much else on.

Is there a link to a true beginners guide? Or could someone explain a few things? In particular, I don't really get the team tactics, or how stage times or wins contribute to the overall win. Nice one

1. The race is divided into 21 stages. Each stage is a race in itself. Some teams only target these stage wins rather than competing overall.

2. The overall race general classification [GC] (yellow jersey) is won by the person who completes all 21 stages in the least amount of time. At the end of each stage, whoever has least accumulated time at the end of that stage is 'in yellow' and is leading the GC of the race. After the first stage, whoever is riding in yellow, you know is currently the leader of the race.

3. There are 3 other jerseys apart from yellow the riders can compete for:
Polka Dot: Climbing
Each of the 21 stages that have a significant climb in them will have points awarded for who gets up the climb first. So at the summit will be a banner over the point at which points are warded, or at the end of the stage if it's a mountain stage. At the end of the race, whoever has the most climbing points wins the Polka Dot jersey. Through the race it is worn by whoever has the most points at that time.

Green Jersey: Sprinting
Similar to the Polka Dot, there are sprint stages and within stages sprint points at which green jersey points are awarded for those who get to that point first.These tend to be the flat stages, and the most likely to feature big crashes toward the end.

White Jersey: Young Rider [GC]
Same as Yellow, shortest overall time and is worn by a rider under 26 years old with the shortest overall time. If that person also happens to be in Yellow themselves, the white jersey will pass to the next under 26 year old in the GC.

Tactics:
As said some teams aren't interested in GC, they will go for stage wins, or they'll target their main rider winning the Green or Polka Dot jerseys. The teams competing for the overall Yellow Jersey will be focussed mainly on that, and getting their rider around 21 stages in the least amount of time.

Even in recreational cycling, being tucked in behind a rider in front of you saves you 25% or so in effort. For these guys it is even more depending on conditions, therefore teamwork is all about protecting the effort of your lead rider for whatever your particularly goal is. As an example, a GC team will not be bothered if a rider goes off in a break to win a stage if that rider is well behind in the overall time classification. So if on say stage 12, if someone is 20mins or more behind the lead riders in the GC and attacks to win the stage, you might not see a reaction from the GC contenders because they aren't threatening the GC. If that person was within say 5mins of the GC, then you'd see a massive reaction as they would be a threat.

[typing this out neatly avoided a bit of work I have to do! ]

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

I think Stat normally posts this, but I will get in quick with it....any excuse to hear the theme again. Still have this as my ringtone. Classic.

Love it!

Also noted the 7-speed, straight through block - 12-18 for the flat stages most likely!

 

[Martlet]

I'll probably get a caning for this - but would love to see the French doing well in such a crazy year - a lot of mountains and an uphill time trial on the last Saturday could suit Alaphilippe, Pinot or Bardet. Good working-from-home background TV now the Test series is over!

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

I'll probably get a caning for this - but would love to see the French doing well in such a crazy year - a lot of mountains and an uphill time trial on the last Saturday could suit Alaphilippe, Pinot or Bardet. Good working-from-home background TV now the Test series is over!

Would love to see the home nation take a win...its been far too long! Could be their best chance with such an open field this year. JA hasn't shown anything so far, but I wouldn't put it past him to put in a performance.
After last years disappointment Pinot will be looking to make amends - great chance of being top 3 I reckon.

 

[zeemeeuw]

I think Stat normally posts this, but I will get in quick with it....any excuse to hear the theme again. Still have this as my ringtone. Classic.

The bikes in the 80s

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Would love to see the home nation take a win...its been far too long! Could be their best chance with such an open field this year. JA hasn't shown anything so far, but I wouldn't put it past him to put in a performance.
After last years disappointment Pinot will be looking to make amends - great chance of being top 3 I reckon.

Egan would have to fall off, but stranger things have happened.

I still cannot get my head around this happening, just cant imagine how it can work.

 

[Swansman]

Never watched any competitive outdoor cycling, but go on then, there's not much else on.

Is there a link to a true beginners guide? Or could someone explain a few things? In particular, I don't really get the team tactics, or how stage times or wins contribute to the overall win. Nice one

Guide how to win it:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doping_at_the_Tour_de_France#Doping_histories_of_Top-10_finishers,_1998%E2%80%932015

Key is to make it go unnoticed so that all pro cycling fans will glorify you in a vain attempt to pretend their sport is not dirty filth.

To learn about team tactics (aside from having a doctor with the right connection) I recommend playing a bit of Pro Cycling Manager - it might sound boring as **** but the PCM games are legit pretty nice.

 

[pb21]

Guide how to win it:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doping_at_the_Tour_de_France#Doping_histories_of_Top-10_finishers,_1998%E2%80%932015

Key is to make it go unnoticed so that all pro cycling fans will glorify you in a vain attempt to pretend their sport is not dirty filth.

To learn about team tactics (aside from having a doctor with the right connection) I recommend playing a bit of Pro Cycling Manager - it might sound boring as **** but the PCM games are legit pretty nice.

Obviously doping was rife, but that link indicates things were changing between 1998 and 2015, and I'm confident through to 2020.

It's not the wild west anymore, and I wouldn't be surprised if pro cycling is cleaner than pro football these days.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

https://www.cyclingnews.com/amp/new...19-exclusion-rules/?__twitter_impression=true

Article re: positive covid tests

 

[blue-shifted]

Guide how to win it:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doping_at_the_Tour_de_France#Doping_histories_of_Top-10_finishers,_1998%E2%80%932015

Key is to make it go unnoticed so that all pro cycling fans will glorify you in a vain attempt to pretend their sport is not dirty filth.

To learn about team tactics (aside from having a doctor with the right connection) I recommend playing a bit of Pro Cycling Manager - it might sound boring as **** but the PCM games are legit pretty nice.

Nice one Swanny. Had a little read of that and am confident in making a name for myself next year on my Halfords hybrid if I dose myself up enough

 

[Stat Brother]

Obviously doping was rife, but that link indicates things were changing between 1998 and 2015, and I'm confident through to 2020.

It's not the wild west anymore, and I wouldn't be surprised if pro cycling is cleaner than pro football these days.

There's absolutely no way football is cleaner than pro cycling.



Anyway this is all you need to know:-

[tweet]1298560173628416001[/tweet]

 

[Hamilton]

I run my own competition, mostly for friends and work mates.

1 rider each day. Can’t pick the same one twice. Their time is your time. Quickest over 21 stages takes the loot.

Plus bonus prizes for most stage winners.

My favourite sporting event of the year bar none. Working from home means I won’t miss a minute and will be toggling between ITV and Eurosport to avoid the adverts too.

That is a fabulous idea.

 

[Hamilton]

I think we may see a French winner this year.

I'm whispering it quietly but I think Pinot could do it.

The French will go mad, pile onto the streets, and then it really will be a COVID nightmare.

 

[nail-Z]

That is a fabulous idea.

It’s an incredibly simple competition format but is very entertaining. Especially when you’re a few minutes off the leader in the latter stages and you need to gamble on picking a breakaway specialist to try and make up some time. Timing is everything!

 

[Bold Seagull]

I think we may see a French winner this year.

I'm whispering it quietly but I think Pinot could do it.

The French will go mad, pile onto the streets, and then it really will be a COVID nightmare.

Do you think this was discussed in an emergency cobra meeting equivalent and the French health minister said “what if a Frenchman wins Le Tour and millions pour out onto the streets to celebrate??” there was a deathly pause as everyone looked at each then much hilarity ensued at the absurdity of the idea!!

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Get the coffee on and read this great article about Quintana. Earlier in the year I would've said he looked a new man in his first season with Arkea Samsic....totally rejuvenated, but now Im not so sure. Will he be the same rider as he was earlier in the year when he couldn't stop winning? He'll be up there with the front men on the slopes no doubt, but I dont think he'll be pushing for that top spot unfortunately.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/feature...na-and-the-revival-of-a-tour-de-france-dream/

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Never watched any competitive outdoor cycling, but go on then, there's not much else on.

Is there a link to a true beginners guide? Or could someone explain a few things? In particular, I don't really get the team tactics, or how stage times or wins contribute to the overall win. Nice one

Found this just now Blue - worth a watch. I know Bold put up a post explaining it all, but always good to watch something too



PS - Ignore the plug for GCN Racepass at the end...watch it on Eurosport or ITV4 daily.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

I posted this on the Geeks page a few weeks ago, but its worth putting up here as well.
For fans of Le Tour, its 10 mins of pure heaven - and a great trip down memory lane for those who have followed the race for a number of years.

Possibly the greatest montage ever done. Enjoy...again!