TdF Stage 21 2025

[matticus]

It would be good if something was introduced that gave the possibility of a break forming and having a chance of achieving something

like a major cach prize at a point before the finish - or maybe even winning

There may be Unforeseen Negative Consequences to this, but at first glance it seems a good idea!
(we already have Les Combativity Prizes)

 

[matticus]

" The main risk is if a major player gets knocked out or looses masses of time due to a crash

but that is true of any stage - even when they finished with a time trial it was always possible that someobe could loose it on a corner or get a bike failure or whatever "

I think you're confusing the fact that any stage, any bike race, has some inherent risk with the amount and predictability of that risk. Clearly the new course has significant and predictable extra risk

Well said.
(and we need more clear-thinking like this - I really dislike comments along the lines of
"well you could say that about anything" or
"then we should never go outside!!!" etc etc... Logical fallacies - begone!!! )

 

[Dogtrousers]

Could have a knock on effect on participation. Maybe if it takes away the chances of the pure sprinters to have their day in the sun on the Champs Elysees then they may not be inclined to spend the final week suffering in the mountains and will just bugger off home.

Maybe it won't reduce the chances of the pure sprinters. But if it doesn't, then what's the point?

I dunno. I like it as it is. I like watching sprints so I don't have positive vibes about this - I can't see how it can improve things - but we'll see.

The champagne sipping photo shoot neutral zone is not interesting but it can easily be ignored.

 

[No Ta Doctor]

So it’s a question of whether one prefers to watch a circus or a parade.

As for this unofficial “Sprinters WCs” tag, I have never bought into this piece of marketing.
It’s a 45-60 minute criterium, on the cobbles, raced after almost 3 weeks. Some of the 20 previous stages having more claim to being the sprinters world champs……
……Unless you think Jordi Meeus is the faster sprinter in the pro peloton, that is.

Ask any sprinter what they'd most like to win and it'll be the final stage on the Champs - barring that there's an actual world champs with a flat parcours, which is probably less than once per decade.

 

[matticus]

I think the issue is quite clearly that he could have ten minutes on second place and still get taken out as the entire peloton fights to get into a tiny sidestreet.

Well yes. (as an aside, I've always wondered why they don't neutralise the GC on the "procession" stage i.e. in the same manner as the 3km rule. We could still have our "sprinters world championships"! :P )

 

[matticus]

Could have a knock on effect on participation. Maybe if it takes away the chances of the pure sprinters to have their day in the sun on the Champs Elysees then they may not be inclined to spend the final week suffering in the mountains and will just bugger off home.

Yes.

I don't have figures, but I think there are far more Sprinter DNFs at the other Grand Tours.

 

[No Ta Doctor]

Well yes. (as an aside, I've always wondered why they don't neutralise the GC on the "procession" stage i.e. in the same manner as the 3km rule. We could still have our "sprinters world championships"! :P )

I don't think there's ever really been a need to before now, I don't think anyone has lost a serious GC position or jersey due to a crash/mech. They might do that this year if they want to keep that finish.

 

[matticus]

I don't think there's ever really been a need to before now, I don't think anyone has lost a serious GC position or jersey due to a crash/mech.

Bolted? Horse? Stable door???

 

[Blazing Saddles]

It’s worth remembering that 2 of the last 4 editions haven’t been Paris procession stages.
What Primož Roglič would have given to have that luxury, I wonder?

On the subject of neutralising the GC on final stage into Paris, I think it would be the next logical step and would eventually come into force, but for one problem: riders getting lapped.
Might be a recipe for disaster.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

The point about sprinter going home early is a good one!

 

[mididoctors]

If the jersey gets stuck behind a crash in Montmartre... Tours can be pretty tight on GC somewhere in the top ten