Froome right or wrong

[roadrash]

not quite 2186 miles like this years tour though , and i dont for one minute think every few feet of that 900 miles was marshallled , even if it was possible i dont think it would stop some of the nob head spectators ( notice i didnt say cycling fans ) that weve seen on this years tour so far.

 

[rich p]

WRC manage to marshal up to 900 miles.

What's WRC?

 

[PhilDawson8270]

What's WRC?

World Rally Championship.

They had lots of issues with spectators being in the roads during events. It was even a "thing" to stand in the road and run out of the way of the car. Similar to how it's common to run down the side of the peloton. However, it was far more widespread during the WRC events than in cycling. It may have took them a decade or 2, but they managed to sort it on events run on public roads.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AntTKfRO5po


Difference in attitude though. McRae (the driver) says at the end "That should never have been allowed to run". No blame on the fans, but for the organisers in allowing the event to continue, and failure to control the spectators.


View: https://youtu.be/eYIH7ApCxoM?t=1m50s

 

[SteCenturion]

Good job it was 67kg Froome & not me or @Drago possibly.

Good lad I say, didn't know he had it in him.

 

[T4tomo]

Eric Cantona got a 9 month ban for aiming a gentle kick at a 'fan' Froome should get a similar sentence if you ask me

I know that's tongue in cheek, but Eric did leap the barrier to clatter the fool, Froome didn't have to deviate off his racing line.

 

[winjim]

I have no idea why these guys want to dress up like pratts and run alongside a cyclist. 2 seconds of fame.? What as? A dickhead.

Because without the buildup, and the carnival atmosphere, and people dressing up and being silly, standing by the side of the road watching 30 seconds of a 200km bike race is actually pointlessly dull.

 

[potsy]

I know that's tongue in cheek, but Eric did leap the barrier to clatter the fool, Froome didn't have to deviate off his racing line.

A mere technicality

 

[Hip Priest]

Ah, it's all part of the greatest show on earth.

 

[Jenkins]

WRC manage to marshal up to 900 miles.

But that's broken down into shorter stages of around 40k, often run more than once per day - not a single 200k road stage.

Where the WRC has it right is to use the threat of cancelling stages if the spectators are in dangerous positions - perhaps the threat of "neutralsing" sections where the spectators are creating problems could be used by the TdF instead.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

But that's broken down into shorter stages of around 40k, often run more than once per day - not a single 200k road stage.

Where the WRC has it right is to use the threat of cancelling stages if the spectators are in dangerous positions - perhaps the threat of "neutralsing" sections where the spectators are creating problems could be used by the TdF instead.

It is certainly different, but it is short sighted for people to say there's nothing that can be done. Or to just accept that it is what happens. When situations end with competitors punching spectators, the organisers have failed, and there must be something that can be done.

 

[Milkfloat]

The whole stage does not need barriers or increased security, it is only key points. I like the fact that fans can get relatively close but they should not be able to get so close as to be able to influence the race. Outriders to force people back behind a painted line would help, plus a bit of education from the caravan as it passes through before the riders.

 

[Alien8]

There was a young man called Chris Froome.
Who punched a chicken that gave him no room.
Some called him a hero.
Although it cost a few Euro.
But who cares - va, va, va, Froome!

 

[jefmcg]

How about making it a crime to interfere with the race, and fining the spectator the same as froome?

 

[winjim]

How about making it a crime to interfere with the race, and fining the spectator the same as froome?

If his behaviour was genuinely dangerous, maybe there is an existing law that could be used. I'm not generally in favour of increasing the amount of legislation.

 

[Starchivore]

I think it was fair enough. Maybe Froome overdid it slightly, but when he’s labouring for hours up a mountain under all that pressure I think that’s very understandable.


Regarding the sub-discussion starting up on this thread, I can’t see any need at all for any more fencing and marshalling than there already is. Having thousands lining the road up the mountain, squeezing together and forming an incredible tunnel of colour and noise is the heart of le tour. I’ve been several times and the atmosphere is wonderful- and very very supportive of all the riders, not just the favourites. It’s an amazing thing and I would encourage anyone to get to a couple of stages in the Alpes/Pyrenees if they can because it is very special.


And let’s be fair- considering how close everyone can get, for free, there are barely any incidents at all, hence the big publicity to this little event. So I don't think anyone needs to worry too much about "those crazy spectators" either.