No Ta Doctor
Über Member
It works this time, but he might feel repercussions next time, that's the way the peloton works. They all know the game, but they might not let him into a break, or might not work with him if he's already in one. It's not an ethical thing, or sportsmanship (though can feel like it) just that you can get a reputation quite easily that affects how breaks you're in work. Same with e.g. Ruis Costa - everyone knows from the start he's going to be sitting in, so everyone keeps a little extra back for later.
The contrast is e.g. Asgreen, Campanerts et al in that TdF breakaway win stage 18 2023, when they all committed 100% to staying away and cheated the peloton, or Mads P in Paris Nice, doing a deal with Magnus Sheffield for the green jersey points on top of Col d'Eze in return for helping him as far as possible up the next climb in his hunt for a stage win. Both riders will work their arses off and will keep their word if you do, so you can be safe in making a deal/working with them and have a far better chance of staying away than if Ruis Costa is dragging behind you. Incidentally, Asgreen came second on the next stage as well, beaten in the sprint from the breakaway by Mohoric, who was in tears afterwards. Both Mohoric and Campanerts spoke about how proud they were to have been part of something, and Mohoric about how he wished everyone could win. Having something like that in the bank is pretty useful in the peloton when you want to get others to work
