Posted on 07/21/2004 2:53:35 AM PDT by Aeronaut
Today an individual time trial up the infamous l'Alpe d'Huez.
Today's start times are based on reverse order of a rider's position on GC, with Lance Armstrong in the yellow jersey starting last.
Oh, and by the way, the minimum weight is 6.8 kg, which is 15 pounds. An entire racing bike weighing only 15 lbs! Trek makes great bikes. That carbon fiber is an amazing material.
4:15 p.m. - 87 riders have finished so far and the top five times thus far:
1- MARTIN (F), RAG 00:43:52.590
2- ETXEBARRIA (Sp), EUS 00:43:57.060 at 04"
3- CHARTEAU (F), BLB - 43:59.390 at 06"
4- FEDRIGO (F) C.A - 44:01.500 at 08"
5- NOVAL GONZALEZ (Sp), USP - 44:01.840 at 09"
I have to say, I don't understand it. It's a race, but not a race because they rest in between. There are constantly crashes. There are team members who have no expectation of winning. And God only knows how they calculate the winner.
Taking off to the downstairs TV to watch the spectactle unfold! Be back in about an hour or so..
Verenque is now on course. New leader is Astarloza at 43:06, but numerous riders are already ahead of his times at the lower time checks.
Moncoutie has done the climb in 39:56 - overall time of 42:04. Now in first place.
Heras finishes with a disappointing 45:19 and is currently 24th in the stage.
Levi Leiphiemer is on the course - 18 minutes to Lance!
Nevertheless, NASCAR has only grown in popularity every year.
To put this in perspective - railroads won't accept grades much in excess of 3%!
But...lest you believe this to be THE stage; take a look at tomorrow's stage 17! (http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2004/tour04/?id=stages/stage17)
So...do you "spend it all today"? Do you try to catch that guy in the yellow jersey? Or - knowing what's coming tomorrow, do you keep some "in reserve"??
What a race!
Santos Gonzales (PHO) 41.52
Giuseppe Guerini (TMO) 0.00
David Moncoutie (COF) 0.12
Marcos Serrano (LST) 0.45
Mikel Astarloza (A2R) 1.02
"And God only knows how they calculate the winner."
Calculating the winner is easy. Add up each riders time for each stage. Subtract any bonus points won for finishing an intermediate sprint or stage in a place such that you get bonus points. Lowest combined time wins.
Marcos Serrano (LST) 0.45
Mikel Astarloza (A2R) 1.02
Juan Miguel Mercado (QSD) 1.02
Ludovic Martin (RAG) 1.46
Don't forget: today is an elimination day. Add 33% to the first place time. Anyone with a time in excess of that will not continue with the tour.
As of now: anyone with a time in excess of 55:51 is out.
While each stage has its own winner, the real prize is for the best total time for all stages.
There are constantly crashes.
And CART/NASCAR/F-1 don't?
There are team members who have no expectation of winning.
They get well paid for their support of the team leader (and a share of the prizes earned). A not-quite-perfect analogy would be football -- not everyone can be quarterback, but the offensive linemen are crucial to the team's success.
And God only knows how they calculate the winner.
Actually, it's pretty simple: total combined time minus any bonuses earned. Bonuses usually apply to the top 3 in each stage and any specified intermediate sprints within the stage.
Excellent reply about NASCAR. LOL. I must say I really enjoy the FR Tour threads. I was never a big TdF fan until two years ago. Alas, I'm hooked.
2K2B4-Gotten, you a big Lucinda Williams fan??
Azevedo (USPS) and Ullrich are now on course. Vladimer Karpets is setting a blistering pace through 9.5 KM
ESPN.com has live updates.
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