Keith99

Let's see. 90+ years ago riders were responsible for repair of their own mechanicals. Not finishing with everything you started a stage with (like a sweater because it was cold, but that becomes a useless burden once thigns warm up) would result in a time penalty that if applied post WW II woul dhave ruined all but a handfull of riders chances of a GC win. 90 years ago if a chain broke you had better have been able to fix it yourself. If not with what yuo had on hte bike then wafter a long walk into town. (And whatever you do, do not have the blacksmith's asaistant pump the bellows). Heck it just might work out that 90 years ago was one of those times where the GC was decided on stage placing!

In the last 10 years riders have been all but eliminated in the GC standings because they got caught behind a crash on a long section going over water. Not just one rider, but several.

The unwritten rule is one does not take advantage of a mechanical that occurs before the real racing starts. Sounds like the racing had already started.

gear

You would think winning the TdF would be all the motivation he would need.

Keith99

The TDF is a long competition. If Andy rides in anger he is far more apt to do something 'heroic' and stupid that lands him off the podium than he is apt to do something good enough to pass AC.

BCRoad

I think Bjarne Riis summed it up well on Velo News:

"It’s hard to say. I didn’t really see what happened,” he said. “If Contador waits, the other guys have to wait, too. He needs to follow, of course. It’s a ****ty situation.”

It's the only ad I don't fast forward through. I laugh every time I hear AC blurt out "I wrestled a bear!" like it's the only response he can think of.

I'm guessing that few non-Canucks are going to get the Degrassi reference.

Keith99

Just for fun I looked up the 1920 Tour. It was the first time the Tour had been won by the same rider for the 3rd time. The second place rider finishe 57 minutes 21 seconds back. I don't think the Lantern Rouge had been created, but the last placed rider to finsh was 22nd and 69 hours 5 seconds back.

TommyL

20 miles from the border and clueless.

lilyprotector

very funny LOL

Fynn

Maybe the reason Contador didn't understand that Schleck's chain had come off was because it happened in English.

Paniolo

Today was the 100th year anniversary of Le Tour coming to the Pyranees. Many of those watching along the roads have seen the Tour over those roads every year of their lives. They are VERY knowledgeable Tour fans. It was telling that half the crowd at the yellow jersey presentation to Contador were booing him.

Contador obviously feels embarrassed, saying he didn't know what happened. There is no way he didn't know. I assume (at my peril!) every one rides. It is very obvious when someones chain comes off on a climb as they slow to a stop with their legs uselessly trying to pedal. Contador had plenty of time as he was catching up and passing to see what was happening. Heck as he went by he practically had to swerve to avoid AS dismounting his bike!

I would actually respect him more if he said he knew what was happening but tough luck, that's racing. Instead he attacks, then when asked about it tries to blame Menchov and Sanchez. If Contador had asked them and they refused, thats one thing. But when he keeps riding hard what else can they do.

prettyshady

lol

Howzit

First off, a dropped chain because of inferior equipment is hardly bad luck I would say. 4 flat tires before a climb I would say is bad luck. A dog running across and knocking you over is bad luck. A chain slipping gears is just plain useless equipment, Im sorry.

People forget that Armstrong changed cycling history. At the end of the day, Armstrong paraded around with money falling out of his pockets with endorsements and making commercials.
He made it all about how much publicity and money can you make.
Why should Contador be blamed for taking advantage of a situation? At the end of it all, like I said, sponsors have to be answered to, sportsmanship or not, because of how much profit can be made from winning. If Contador had waited, his sponsors are going to ask why he DIDNT take advantage. With so much at stake, sports in general have changed, not only just cycling.

They should switch back to Campy or Shimano and quit crying over a slipped chain in 2010.

kleinboogie

You need to get out more. There are plenty of sports that will not take advantage of someone with a mechanical of sorts. Boxing, or every other contact sport, where they'll stop the fight to fix a glove, shoe lace or shorts issue.

But, to your point, they won't stop a Nascar race because the car, pit crew and the drivers handling of the car are an integral part of the competition.

In cycling, at least my understanding of history, the bike and all its technology and usage is not considered a key factor in the race or at least should not be which is why "bike doping" po'd so many people. That is except in the time trial where aero is important and in that case the rider, like Nascar drivers, will not slow down if a competitor has a mechanical because how you get through that stage is purely you and your bike.

Finally, this idea of not hitting an opponent when they're down is one of the strong appeals of cycling for many of us in America and all of Europe. It's a sport that lives on guts, honor and tradition. Take one or two of those away and you're left with chaos at best and the NFL at worst.

I'll just say that Contador didn't go a long way to maintaining those traditions which is why he was booed on international television.

sykerocker 

Since I follow multiple international sports (F1, MotoPG, World Superbike, etc.) I'm starting to wonder if this kind of behavior isn't something inherently Spanish (the comment that Americans are taught to win in sports twigged my thinking). What I'm reading here on Contrador could have just as easily been said about Dani Pedrosa, #1 rider for the Repsol Honda factory effort in MotoGP. Back in 2006 at the next to the last race of the season in Estoril, he tried a bone-headed pass on American Nicky Hayden (who was leading the championship) taking out both of them and almost costing Hayden the championship.

Pedrosa's reputation is about the same that Contrador is developing: Outside of Spain his abilities are acknowledged, but he is not well respected as a competitor.

USAZorro

Contador and Astana are running SRAM also.

SSP

Contador should be blamed because he "earned" his yellow jersey by attacking a mechanical.

It's considered a less than sporting move by many fans...and unworthy of a true champion.

If Contador had told Menchov and Sanchez to back off, they would have. All 3 could have waited for the yellow jersey to rejoin - none of their positions with respect to other riders were threatened.

If Vino wanted to attack, that would be OK. But for #2, 3, and 4 to attack when the yellow jersey drops a chain is without honor.

Howzit

Yes they are, and Contador should watch his chain, otherwise tomorrow its him with a dropped chain if he is not careful. If thats the case, I wont feel bad for him either.

USAZorro

Please explain:

1. How you know for certain that they would have waited
2. That this wasn't done

Seems to me you're presuming a fair amount, and attempting to pass it off as a given.

SSP

Because if Contador had told them to slow down, they would have. As a two-time winner, he has a reputation, and power within the peloton.

Slowing the group down to wait for a fallen rider is part of the tradition of cycling. Contador said nothing to the other riders...instead, he put his head down and hammered to try and take as many seconds as he could.

Armstrong waited for Ullrich. Ullrich waited for Armstrong.

Contador will forever be seen as the guy who didn't wait when he could have...and should have.

scuzzo

has this ever happened before in a tour stage.. taking advantage of a mechanical? it luck of drawl but its weakens the contest.. if andy fell off the bike would AB taken advantage? it may be ok in the rule book but its weak.. there is a gentlemen agreement.. might as well attack in a feed station or on a natural break.. its all ok... sad..

MikeM21

^^^^^THIS +1.

Contador once again is shameful.

I haven't read all of the posts so I don't know if anyone has pointed out the corollary in soccer - if a competitor is injured you intentionally play the ball to touch and the other team give it back when the injury is resolved.

Contador should have told the others to wait. Isn't he the Patron or not?

Romans8:28

At what point in the pecking order does peloton waiting stop?

If number 2, 3, & 4 stops/slows then what about 5, 6, 7,and so on?

Is it "fair" for positions 5-20 (or more) gain back time on 2-4 because they backed off?

This is not a sport were a ref can blow a whistle and stop action or replay the down. Stopping for Andy could have lead to all manner of unforeseen consequences right?

Howzit

AGAIN, you are all correct, in fact, I dont think anyone will disagree with the fact that traditionally one would wait, but lets not forget that times have changed, and the game has changed.
Money is the driving force behind a lot of what is going on in the sport now because of Lance.

Let me remind everyone of when big George was chased down by Garmin for no reason and robbed him of the yellow jersey, simply because of petty sponsorship rivalry. Garmin couldnt let another American team get ALL that TV coverage while their sponsors didnt.

Money, money, money. And we all know who to thank that caused the major shift.

Contador would have had a mouth full from sponsors if he did jack... and guess who signs his checks... not pundant bloggers and armchair discussions like this.

SSP

No...if they had slowed down, riders behind (5, 6, 7, etc.) would not have passed them. Those riders were already further back...and they would have respected the gesture too.

If the Contador group had just soft pedaled for about 30 seconds, Schleck could have rejoined and the leaders could have once again started racing each other fair and square.

As it stands, Contador will be remembered for attacking the yellow jersey when he was off the bike.

Contador's actions dishonored the yellow jersey...and himself.

Lazyass

I have to give Vino some credit. He was the only one to respond to Schleck's attack and when the chain dropped he sat back down and slowed until AC decided to take advantage of the obvious mechanical situation. Very clear in the vid below.

https://www.everymantri.com/everyman_...r-attacks.html

SSP

That video also shows how much of a gap Schleck's attack was putting into Contador. It looked like the decisive move, and like Contador was not going to be able to respond. It was only after Schlecks' chain came off that Alberto and the others caught up to Schleck.