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Sluffy
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« on: 01 July 2010, 10:21 PM » |
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The tour of France cycling race starts on Saturday in Holland and I thought I would once again try and give anyone who would like to know something about it whilst it is on - a sort of explanation as to what is happening.
First of all let me try and set the scene for you.
Surprising as it may seem the race is about teams and not individuals - and is as much about tactics and strategy, as it is about strength and endurance.
Ok, the bad stuff first - cycling as been riddled with drugs - and for all I know it probably still is - but don't let that put you off the tour. The enjoyment for me is in watching all the mind games that go on between teams and individuals. I'm not into drugs - I'm certainly not trying to make any excuse for them.
Well lets begin then.
There are 21 teams of 9 cyclists - 189 riders in all.
The race will be held over 22 consecutive days (although there will be no racing on two days - known as rest days).
The Tours route changes from year to year and actually travels through various countries - this years race includes Spain and Hooland and Belgium - as well as France.
Although the main aim of the tour is for someone to actually win it - there are actually a whole load of other aims that people try for. For instance there are two other important races within the main race itself - if you think that the winner of the tour is in someway similar to the winner of a marathon, well there is also as part of the tour - a competition to find the fastest (sprinter) person in the race and another to find the strongest (climber) person.
The tour is basically split in to a number of individual races each and every day - with the aggregate times used to decide the overall winner.
The tour starts with basically a small time trial - this is what will be happening on Saturday in Rotterdam. Each rider races individually against the clock - a bit like how the Formula 1 drivers try to set the fastest lap - so they can decide who starts in pole position.
It is quite common for the race leader of the tour to change several times over the 3 week race - and so the yellow jersey will 'change hands' so to speak several times - before the end of the race in Paris on the 25th July.
OK, if you are still with me the next thing you need to know is that the tour as four elements to it.
The first element is the 'sprint' finish - these stages (a stage is just another word for the 'day' - so stage 4 simply means day 4 of the race) usually means that nearly all the riders finish at the same time - however someone as to win the stage - so that is when the fast boys in the race - the sprinters, try to blow each other away!
As always tactics come into play and basically what happens is for the various teams to try to jostle for the best position near the end of the race - so that their man can sprint to the line first and win.
Cycling is a lot to do with 'slip streaming' - that is riding in the 'gap' that is created by the person in front of you. It may not seem much but it takes a lot more effort to 'lead' than it does to 'follow'. So a bit like when you see wild geese flying in a V formation - you will often see the cyclist in the tour take a similar formation too.
Anyway each 'team' in the tour will on these stages try to 'lead' their sprinter up to the winning line and then with just a few meters to go watch them jump to the front and battle it out with other teams sprinters!
The best sprinter - similarly to the 'yellow' jersey - will wear the green jersey. Similarly this will normally change hands too throughout the tour.
The second sort of element of the race is the 'Time Trial' - just like the prologue I have described above - this is a race against the clock for each individual rider.
The time trial is the only time when the riders do not start altogether at the same time. They set out one by one - with the leader of the race (yellow jersey) going last - the second in the race going next to last and so on - with the last rider in the race - being the first to go in the time trial.
The third element of the race is the 'breakaways'. - that is that an individual or a small group of riders will pedal away from the main group and try to get so far in front that the 'pack' does not ever catch them up again.
The fourth element of the race is cycling up mountains - and is known as the king of the hills - the leader in the King of the Hills wears a polka dot jersey (red dots on a white jersey).
OK now you have all the bits of the race - you now need to know about some basic tactics.
Firstly it is usual for any one rider to be great in all the four elements - so a great sprinter will win a bit of time on the sprints - but lose loads of time on the hills. Great climbers often cannot keep a sustained pace over a long period of time like time trialist can do so what they win on the hills they lose on the TT's.
So how do you actually win the race?
Well basically you need the help of your team. Various teams have various objectives. Rubbish teams who have no chance of one of them winning the actual tour will try to win an individual stage - this gets their picture in the paper the next day - or rather more importantly gets the name of the sponsors in the picture in the papers!!!
And really that is what it is about for many.
Teams with contenders however will race to help their team leader to win - not themselves. They will sacrifice themselves - maybe burn themselves out leading their leader up a hill - so that he can win (or as often so that he does not lose too much time on one of his rivals who may be in front of him).
Often leaders will get the team to push the pace if they see one of the rivals having a bad day - or alternatively send one of the team on a break away - forcing rival teams to spend valuable energy trying to reel him in again.
Well for now that should give you enough to have a basic understanding of what will be happening over the first week or so of the race. Traditionally the tour does not start getting interesting until it reaches the mountains. Up to then you will normally see the fast boys trying to out sprint each other to win the opening stages.
There are a few Brits in the race this year - with a chance that one of them - particularly Mark Cavendish, grabbing an early win, and Bradley Wiggins being there abouts for a top three finish.
I hope my little explanation may have been of some interest to you - and if you have any questions I will try my best to try and answer them throughout the next 3 weeks.
Aurovior mon amies
Le Sluffy
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Big_Sharps
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« Reply #1 on: 01 July 2010, 10:37 PM » |
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Does it involve motorbikes or just regular bikes with the little shopping baskets on top? Oh and are stabilisers allowed because I might enter if they are?
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Sluffy
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« Reply #2 on: 01 July 2010, 10:55 PM » |
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One of the greatest sports events in the world - which is largely ignored and unknown in this country.
I've tried before to get people interested - it really is gripping if you can get into it.
It is sort of a cross between a soap opera (it as so many unexpected twist and turns), a test match (it seems to go on for ever building into a great and exciting finish), a game of chess (there is so many tactics and strategies going on - nothing is ever as it seems), and a carnival (there is so much colour, movement breath taking scenery, etc).
There is no other event quite like it - it is unique and fascinating.
And there is also real British interest in the event this year - and one of the panto bad men of the race is from the Isle of Mann!
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267
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« Reply #3 on: 01 July 2010, 11:18 PM » |
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And there is also real British interest in the event this year - and one of the panto bad men of the race is from the Isle of Mann!
Why is Eddie Davies taking part, does he fancy himself to be the next Eddie Merckx? |
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"What about the piranhas?"
"They're eating the guests Sir"
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Martinbwfc
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« Reply #4 on: 02 July 2010, 02:19 AM » |
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Does it involve motorbikes or just regular bikes with the little shopping baskets on top? Oh and are stabilisers allowed because I might enter if they are?
Sorry Sluffy but this made me laugh,you gotta be joking how is guys pedalling up and down mountains gripping stuff.I guess your saying like teams are trying to outwit each other,but would it not be better viewer friendly if they stopped every 5 minutes,and have a fight,sorry to piss on your bonfire,but cycle racing ? |
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You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so just give the twat a good shoeing, he'll respect you.
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Chris Rabz
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« Reply #5 on: 02 July 2010, 05:09 AM » |
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And there is also real British interest in the event this year - and one of the panto bad men of the race is from the Isle of Mann! I love the mis-spelling there, one that would never happen if you never knew our very own Manny I'm sure. A very informative description of the tour there Sluffy. My dad has been a fan of it for a good decade or so now, and every summer he invites me to watch but while he watches it he admits to not really knowing the "ins and outs" of the sport but whenever I asked how it all worked he could never answer me in a way that convinced me, or that I even understood. But reading this has made it a lot clearer, and the mindset of "it's about the team, not the one guy who wins it" is the main thing. I may well actually give it a watch this year and see how Wiggins and Cavendish get on, as little as I know about it all I recognise their names. I'm sure Chris Boardman rings a bell for me, but most who haven't seen anything of it will probably remember Lance Armstrong. I've decided I am going to give it a go watching this simply because I always try and get more Brits into the NFL each year and it's a bit annoying when people refuse to watch it for pathetic reasons like "they wear padding" or "they have too many cheerleaders". At least give it a go. Get to know the game, broaden your horizons. If you watch a few games and actually understand what's going on, and then decide it's not for you then fine. I'm the same with Cricket. I know enough about spin-offs and whatever else but I just can't stomach the game. But it's all about trying new sports, and I think le Tour may be my new one for 2010! I know it might be a bit of a ball-ache Sluff but it might be an idea to get a list of the teams on this thread who is involved this year, and their standout names, that way people can relate to them even if they only ever read the thread and don't reply. Just a thought. Best banter thread of the summer for me though, something actually worth reading and responding to. |
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When routine bites hard, and ambitions are low. When resentment rides high, but emotion won't grow... And we're changing our ways, taking different roads. Love... Love will tear us apart, again.
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Chris Rabz
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« Reply #6 on: 02 July 2010, 05:33 AM » |
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Sorry Sluffy but this made me laugh,you gotta be joking how is guys pedalling up and down mountains gripping stuff.I guess your saying like teams are trying to outwit each other,but would it not be better viewer friendly if they stopped every 5 minutes,and have a fight,sorry to piss on your bonfire,but cycle racing ?
I'm not a judge of the sport at all but that's quite an ignorant response really. Much like if an American looks at our game and says "it's only a load of weedy Britishmen kicking a soccer ball around with it occasionally going in the goal one or maybe two times a game and then the "fans" all fight with eachother over beer". Whether you like cycling or not (and I don't, don't get me wrong) the Tour de France is that sport's event of the year, much like Wimbledon is to Tennis. And there's many who will be watching Murray battle Nadal whenever it is who will not have seen one set outside of Wimbledon in their life. I'm not saying you have to watch it or anything, each to their own. I'm really having to persuade myself to watch it. But it just seems a very ignorant way of thinking, that's all. |
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When routine bites hard, and ambitions are low. When resentment rides high, but emotion won't grow... And we're changing our ways, taking different roads. Love... Love will tear us apart, again.
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The Ghost of Burnden
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« Reply #7 on: 02 July 2010, 09:51 AM » |
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hAving experienced in being in the crowd whilst the TDF was passing - it is actually an exhililrating race - yes there are promo bikes to begin with, then the racers themselves and camera-crews (France Television, if I remember correctly - equivalent to BBC) and then more promos. All in all the whole experience lasts for about 45 minutes as all race past!
And before Tash asks - I saw it, twice, in Notre Dame de Belle Com (sorry about the spelling) - but a village very close to Megeve!
I will possibly nip down to Rotterdam for the Time Trials on Saturday :-)
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Bouncebackability.
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a.s
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« Reply #8 on: 02 July 2010, 12:51 PM » |
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Hate to repeat myself, but my granddad was a pro cyclist, you'll prob know (or knew) him, Mr Sluff.
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Shaft
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« Reply #9 on: 02 July 2010, 01:01 PM » |
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The tour de France is one of my favourite sporting events of the year, I absolutely love it. The finishes are fantastic, always 2 or 3 riders try to make a break away to try and win the stage but get caught in the last mile or two and Mark Cavendish is a betting man's dream to win the sprint finishes and win the stage.
They pass through so many amazing places, the scenery is stunning. Last year starting in Monte Carlo, going to Barcelona, going into the Alps and Pyrenese, it is fantastic. And the atmosphere of the race is incredible.
I love it and I can't wait for it to start.
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Sluffy
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« Reply #10 on: 02 July 2010, 01:18 PM » |
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I know it might be a bit of a ball-ache Sluff but it might be an idea to get a list of the teams on this thread who is involved this year, and their standout names, that way people can relate to them even if they only ever read the thread and don't reply. Just a thought.
I will do that Chris but won't do it right away because I don't want to bore people with too many facts at once. Probably what people need to look out for now is the SKY team, which although it does have foreign riders on it, is really the only English team in the Tour. A couple of names to look out for is Bradley Wiggins - our best English hope of getting in the top three. Mark Cavendish - from the Isle of Man - best sprinter in the world and a bit of a bad boy at times - he is sure to be mention a great deal in the first week or so until the Tour starts going up the mountains. The big two names of the Tour are Alberto Contador (Spanish) - the best rider in the world and favourite to win the Tour and Lance Armstrong (USA) who was the greatest rider ever of the Tour - but who's best days are behind him - although saying that he could still be right up there at the end. The first week is usually all about sprint finishes where nobody really loses any time - so the big names will all play it safe until they get to the mountains. Expect some exciting sprint finishes, with Cavendish right up there at the front. Maybe a crash or two if something goes wrong! (here's one of Cav going down earlier in the season).  Anybody with any questions – just post them up and I will try to answer them as the Tour goes along. |
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Biggles
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« Reply #11 on: 02 July 2010, 02:00 PM » |
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no wonder he went down,theres only half a front wheel
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Keegan
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« Reply #12 on: 02 July 2010, 03:02 PM » |
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Shortened version:
1) Take drugs.
2) Ride the hell out of a bicycle from point A to point B.
3) Deny taking drugs.
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"I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.”
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The Ghost of Burnden
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« Reply #14 on: 05 July 2010, 05:31 AM » |
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At least ITV4 are televising the full races this year and not just the highlights as in the past :-)
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Bouncebackability.
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267
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« Reply #15 on: 05 July 2010, 01:46 PM » |
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At least ITV4 are televising the full races this year and not just the highlights as in the past :-)
Eurosport are better, there you've got Sean Kelly. |
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"What about the piranhas?"
"They're eating the guests Sir"
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Big_Sharps
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« Reply #16 on: 05 July 2010, 02:01 PM » |
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Eurosport are better, there you've got Sean Kelly.
Eurosport are better than nothing, Eurosport is the most pointless television channel in the history of television. The only football they have is the Vietnamese under 12's league and numerous sports nobody likes such as athletics and conkers. At least Live TV had topless darts! |
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267
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« Reply #17 on: 05 July 2010, 02:25 PM » |
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Eurosport are better than nothing, Eurosport is the most pointless television channel in the history of television. The only football they have is the Vietnamese under 12's league and numerous sports nobody likes such as athletics and conkers.
At least Live TV had topless darts!
I think you've missed out the God channel on this scale of pointlessness. |
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"What about the piranhas?"
"They're eating the guests Sir"
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Big_Sharps
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« Reply #18 on: 05 July 2010, 02:28 PM » |
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At least it has what its target audience expect, Eurosport is a sport channel with sports that no fucker wants to watch.
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Didledee
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« Reply #19 on: 05 July 2010, 02:31 PM » |
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Beach soccer, U20's football and snooker is all I've watched on Eurosport. Not for a while like.
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* Jay Jay Okocha * Youri Djorkaeff * BWFC * Stu Holden * Lee Chung-Yong * |
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267
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« Reply #20 on: 05 July 2010, 02:33 PM » |
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At least it has what its target audience expect, Eurosport is a sport channel with sports that no fucker wants to watch.
You see, considering how big the UK is me and Didledee are keeping that channel going. |
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« Last Edit: 05 July 2010, 07:44 PM by 267 »
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"What about the piranhas?"
"They're eating the guests Sir"
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The Ghost of Burnden
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« Reply #21 on: 05 July 2010, 03:38 PM » |
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Eurosport are better than nothing, Eurosport is the most pointless television channel in the history of television. The only football they have is the Vietnamese under 12's league and numerous sports nobody likes such as athletics and conkers.
At least Live TV had topless darts!
Oh I dunno!!! - Eurosport showed at least 2 Bolton friendlies before the start of last season, I wonder if they will do the same again this year (especially the the games in Canada!) |
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Bouncebackability.
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The Ghost of Burnden
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« Reply #22 on: 05 July 2010, 03:40 PM » |
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The best was last night on Eurosport 2! The US finals of Scissors Paper Rock tournament - now that was a classic  followed Dog trials! (now where is Dale Winton for the camp commentary?) |
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Bouncebackability.
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Chris Rabz
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« Reply #23 on: 05 July 2010, 03:51 PM » |
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The US finals of Scissors Paper Rock tournament...
Are you being serious here or am I just not getting the sarcasm?
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When routine bites hard, and ambitions are low. When resentment rides high, but emotion won't grow... And we're changing our ways, taking different roads. Love... Love will tear us apart, again.
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Diana Prince
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« Reply #24 on: 05 July 2010, 03:54 PM » |
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Eurosport are better than nothing, Eurosport is the most pointless television channel in the history of television. The only football they have is the Vietnamese under 12's league and numerous sports nobody likes such as athletics and conkers.
At least Live TV had topless darts!
And Tiffany's top city tips for any budding financial whizzs! Top TV! |
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