Tour de France 2020 TdF2020 - SPOILERS

[FlashUNC]

Originally Posted by trener1

I don't drive a car from 1940, I dont watch a B&W TV, and I have air conditioning and indoor plumbing, so I don't want to watch a sport based on how it was 70 years ago.

Do I respect and enjoy the history of the sport?, yes actually very much so in fact, but that's what it is, history.

Just you don't want the race ever acknowledging that history with the occasional nod to it in course design. Especially in light of the fact new races on the World Tour calendar have incorporated gravel to wide acclaim from fans to the racers themselves.

I'm guessing Roubaix shouldn't have cobbles either?

[ridethecliche]

The gravel bit was fine. Fun to watch. Would have been interesting if they'd gone with wider tires for the day to reduce chance of flatting there. I feel like a bike swap would have been too much work.

Originally Posted by jpw

Camel milk :-)

Yeah... That statement is kinda sorta not appropriate.

[jpw]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

Just you don't want the race ever acknowledging that history with the occasional nod to it in course design. Especially in light of the fact new races on the World Tour calendar have incorporated gravel to wide acclaim from fans to the racers themselves.

I'm guessing Roubaix shouldn't have cobbles either?

Flanders...and bergs? Quaint, but times change.

[laupsi]

Originally Posted by trener1

I don't drive a car from 1940, I dont watch a B&W TV, and I have air conditioning and indoor plumbing, so I don't want to watch a sport based on how it was 70 years ago.

What???

[trener1]

Times change, it isn't just cycling, for better or worse.
The NFL isnt 3 yards and a cloud of dust anymore like it was back in the day, it's all about spread offenses and airing it out.
Comparing it to Roubaix and Flanders isn't the Point.
That's why we have Classic specialists and GC specialists.
BTW it isn't just me, there was an article on one of the websites that none of the riders liked it.
I know I am not going to change the mind of many here but I am expressing my opinion.

[reuben]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

Yup, no historical connection to the Tour at all.

Well, they rode steel frames with rim brakes.

[laupsi]

Originally Posted by trener1

Times change, it isn't just cycling, for better or worse.
The NFL isnt 3 yards and a cloud of dust anymore like it was back in the day, it's all about spread offenses and airing it out.
Comparing it to Roubaix and Flanders isn't the Point.
That's why we have Classic specialists and GC specialists.
BTW it isn't just me, there was an article on one of the websites that none of the riders liked it.
I know I am not going to change the mind of many here but I am expressing my opinion.

The riders don’t care for it because it’s a rougher/more difficult surface to navigate. The riders 75 years ago didn’t like it either. Nothing from this epoch dictates that smooth tarmac is the only appropriate surface. This ain’t crit racing, which BTW was originally set up to be hilly and quite sinuous.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by laupsi

The riders don’t care for it because it’s a rougher/more difficult surface to navigate. The riders 75 years ago didn’t like it either. Nothing from this epoch dictates that smooth tarmac is the only appropriate surface. This ain’t crit racing, which BTW was originally set up to be hilly and quite sinuous.

Some of these 'pros' don't like riding in the rain or up hills either. I think gravel, along with shorter stages and brutally steep climbs is GREAT..along with sections of cobbles.

Bet he wouldn't whine about a little gravel.

[laupsi]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Some of these 'pros' don't like riding in the rain or up hills either. I think gravel, along with shorter stages and brutally steep climbs is GREAT..along with sections of cobbles.

Bet he wouldn't whine about a little gravel.

Right?!

[Red Tornado]

Originally Posted by jlwdm

Roglic was their strongest. Kruijswiek was not left off the team. He was injured in a crash at the Daphne.

Jeff

Ah yes, you're right about Kruiswijk. Completely forgot. Blame that memory lapse on old age lol.
Initially was supposed to be a rhetorical question, but I actually did start wondering a bit while writing it. Maybe my own misgivings about their riders form came out in that post.

[Beldar77]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

along with shorter stages and brutally steep climbs is GREAT..

I think they should have longer stages too. They are going so fast these days. I think there is a place for the 6 to 7 hour stage like the length of Milan-San Remo.

I also think they should add back a longer ITT.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by Beldar77

I think there is a place for the 6 to 7 hour stage

Just don't fast-forward past the commercials, problem solved.

[FlashUNC]

Originally Posted by Beldar77

I think they should have longer stages too. They are going so fast these days. I think there is a place for the 6 to 7 hour stage like the length of Milan-San Remo.

I also think they should add back a longer ITT.

Let's also limit the amount of water they can drink and no support from team cars.

[jpw]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

Let's also limit the amount of water they can drink and no support from team cars.

Not the water (or even food) restriction, but blow the team cars and radios out and get the riders thinking for themselves

[Beldar77]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Just don't fast-forward past the commercials, problem solved.

Ha! I have the cycling pass and watched the ad free feed anyway. One day I did watch the regular feed - ouch.