The Yellow Card not Yellow Jersey, Tour Tittle Tattle thread.

[Rusty Nails]

Had the radio on in the car coming home. Topic for today’s discussion with Jason Mohammad on Radio Wales: Should the Tour de France be behind a paywall?

Jason Mohammmad should be.

 

[Pross]

Funny thing is that I watched the last 50kms (?) and at no point were UAE at the front. Are the two teams who were getting the same flak? Course not.
Also, imo, if UAE wanted to catch them then they would have been caught.

UAE controlled it early on and stopped a meaningful gap building with no obvious reason. The others wouldn’t have gone on the front had it not been for that but they then saw a stage win opportunity.

I’m a big fan of Pog but even I’m finding they’re killing the race, as are the sprint teams. The race needs breaks and the breaks need and outside chance that they can sneak the win but if they’re never given a decent gap there’s no incentive to try and then you just end up with a bunch riding temp all day. They’re even keeping it too tight for the break to be allowed team cars up and making them rely on neutral service. There’s no obvious reason to do it as UAE can easily pull back several minutes on hilly stages as can sprint teams on flat days. I don’t understand why it has become a thing.

 

[Pblakeney]

UAE controlled it early on and stopped a meaningful gap building with no obvious reason. The others wouldn’t have gone on the front had it not been for that but they then saw a stage win opportunity.

I’m a big fan of Pog but even I’m finding they’re killing the race, as are the sprint teams. The race needs breaks and the breaks need and outside chance that they can sneak the win but if they’re never given a decent gap there’s no incentive to try and then you just end up with a bunch riding temp all day. They’re even keeping it too tight for the break to be allowed team cars up and making them rely on neutral service. There’s no obvious reason to do it as UAE can easily pull back several minutes on hilly stages as can sprint teams on flat days. I don’t understand why it has become a thing.

I can only assume that there was someone in the break that UAE didn't want to win as there was no strategic gains to be had.
Yes, teams can be that petty.

 

[matticus]

I genuinely can’t think of another sport where professionals expect other professionals to let them win every now and then. Obviously it’s also rare in how rivals often have to work for the common cause but it is still quite an odd premise. Is what UAE did on Sunday any different to what the sprint teams do on every flat stage? I guess it is as UAE ultimately left the break to take the stage.

Your phrase in bold highlights that many things are unique to cycling - isn't that a big part of the fun? You can go and watch kickball if you prefer! Nice simple rules, defined playing surface, an ethical+unbiased global organising body ... :P

 

[matticus]

Arch-villain Pogi has confirmed the GC "truce" that is in place on sprint stages. So UAE aren't totes evil!

 

[No Ta Doctor]

Arch-villain Pogi has confirmed the GC "truce" that is in place on sprint stages. So UAE aren't totes evil!

Lol. May we bathe in his benevolent mercy!

 

[Pross]

Arch-villain Pogi has confirmed the GC "truce" that is in place on sprint stages. So UAE aren't totes evil!

But he's still going to blockade Visma until they accept a deal.