TdF conversation - SPOILERS

[MattTuck]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

So is Lawson Craddock just going to hang on the back for the whole thing with a fractured scapula? I admire the guts but can’t see the point.

Not sure if you're aware, but the race is 21 stages, and each team starts out with 8 guys. Once you abandon the race, you cannot come back, and the team doesn't have substitute riders -- so your team loses any help that rider could have provided. No way of knowing whether Craddock will be able to contribute to team goals in another 4 or 5 days. Maybe his only contribution could be dropping back to get bottles for Uran. Maybe it is completely meaningless help, or maybe it is at a very pivotal point in the race.

The only way you find out is by staying in the race.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by MattTuck

Not sure if you're aware, but the race is 21 stages, and each team starts out with 8 guys. Once you abandon the race, you cannot come back, and the team doesn't have substitute riders -- so your team loses any help that rider could have provided. No way of knowing whether Craddock will be able to contribute to team goals in another 4 or 5 days. Maybe his only contribution could be dropping back to get bottles for Uran. Maybe it is completely meaningless help, or maybe it is at a very pivotal point in the race.

The only way you find out is by staying in the race.

I know all that. My point is that it doesn’t look like he is helping, I’d expect that he will only get worse, so why prolong the inevitable and delay recovery? Maybe there is a future act of selfless heroism here that keeps Rigo on the podium, but it looks exceedingly unlikely right now.

[saab2000]

When you’ve worked your whole life to make it to the greatest race in cycling you’ll do pretty much anything to keep going. He might never get another chance to ride it.

I very much admire his determination and hope he can keep riding the whole race.

[Bruce K]

There actually is a cash prize for the Lanterne Rouge (last finisher) as well.

More likely he is hanging in for all the reasons stated above.

BK

[Bruce K]

Sagan looked pretty good today for a guy who is all done.

Great tactician.

BK

[OtayBW]

Originally Posted by bikinchris

Just a reminder....Sagan lost again today.

Right.

[jruhlen1980]

Just a reminder... Sagan won today.

[rnhood]

Originally Posted by Bruce K

Sagan looked pretty good today for a guy who is all done.

Great tactician.

BK

Agree. And today was a pretty tough and exhausting stage. He was quite impressive.

[woodworker]

Thought you might enjoy the bird's eye view of the sprint from today's stage. It shows how many times Sagan kicks before getting rid of the others.

Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAbR6ugh6wE

Also, there's a good write-up by Neal Rogers over at Cycling Tips and a note about several other classics type stages coming up.

[WNC rider]

I heard on the Eurosport/Tiz broadcast that Craddock is staying in the race because he is helping raise money for rebuilding a velodrome in Texas.

[Bruce K]

Paul & Phil said he is personally donating $100/day from his pay for each day he rides.

Hadn’t heard of it being a fundraiser but cool if it now is one.

BK

[Bwana]

Lawson is donating $100 per stage to the velodrome in Houston that got washed out in Hurricane Harvey.
He's also auctioning off a pair of shoes for charity. Last I saw they were at like $2700.

Whoop is posting all of his HR, power, sleep, recovery...etc data and I heard today some sleep website is posting his sleep data.

https://www.whoop.com/the-locker/bio...awson-craddock

[msl819]

According to race commentators Craddock has solicited matching donations and is up over 30K. Good on him and good for sticking it out even if it will only be at the back of the race. It is something he can always tell his grandkids. American or not, I admire his guts.

[Bwana]

Oh yeah, forgot about the GoFundMe he has going.

I think everything is under the #HoustonStrong umbrella.

https://www.flobikes.com/articles/62...ng-in-the-tour

[Jaybee]

Makes a lot more sense now. Thanks to all who brought up Craddock’s charity work and chapeau to Craddock himself.