Originally Posted by Maelochs

But yes, the idea that a team mate could save the race by swapping wheels when the team cars might be ten minutes behind the group on a narrow steep mountain .... would be a good reason to use rim brakes on the bikes of the team whose leader had a five-minute lead.

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Have you been watching the race? Have you not seen the mechanics running up to the bikes with a wheel in one hand and a drill in the other? Have you not seen the mechanics doing bike swaps instead of wheel changes? I suggest you rewatch the Tour and see what you apparently missed the first time.