You should make the spectators personally liable for any incidents that happen between them and a racer. This way you can have the spectators everywhere and they will have their own responsibility! If they are irresponsible they may be sued for damages!
If the fans on the side of the road are really fans of the sport, they should have enough respect for the athletes to allow them space to race. I'm all for the atmosphere that is created by the fans. I think it would actually take away from the event to have them behind barricades, however, we have seen more and more fan involved crashes in recent years, barricades or not (Sagan at Flanders).
The few ruin it for the many. I' am hoping this doesn't happen but; I'm waiting for some fan seeking his moment of fame running alongside a cyclist trying to get the perfect action selfie or video to run into another fan or a parked car and bounce into the path of the peloton causing a huge pileup ending with many of teh top name out of one of teh big races.
I am not sure most of them are cycling fans... especially in Alp d'Huez. They don't even look like the kind of people who would ride a bike. My experience as an spectator is that the Tour de France is not a race for cycling fans, like Giro or Vuelta, because during the summer season France is plagued by tourists around the world who just want to hang out, get drunk, and many of them just go to watch people in lycra in pretty much the same way they would go to a museum or a concert. It is a pity, but this is the reason why the Tour is so popular.
agreed, ive never seen more average people making such fools of themselves fighting over a free single sample of laundry detergent from the TDF marketing parade. Also this is Europe, they dont put fences around canals they just shrug their shoulders and let drunk people fall if if they want. People do not need to be barricaded, they need to face consequences not with money but community service or something similar with their time.
Y'all clearly never been to a sporting event in the states. JK, I'm not bragging but we seem to have the drunkest and dumbest fans at sporting events here. I have watched grown men trample their own children to get a foul ball at a baseball game. Some grown-ups aren't adults. I also agree they need to be held accountable for their actions.
How about holding fans personally responsible for their actions? If a fan impedes a rider the fan should receive a very substantial fine and/or be held accountable in the courts. Many cameras exists on the course to verify fan unsportsmanlike conduct and/or assaults to riders by "fans". The few "fans" who have little regard for the riders and the sport must be held accountable for their behavior just as the riders are held accountable for their behavior.
For crowds on the climb I would suggest that each team gets two Bludgers, possibly on a tandem ebike, who start at the midpoint of the final hill when their first team member arrives. They will carry semi soft bats to bludgeon spectators who get in the way, or too close to the riders on the side. The team MAY draft behind the Bludgers until the barriers start, then the Bludgers must pull off the course or at least to the side. The Bludgers may only strike a spectator once unless the spectator makes contact with the rider, then two strikes are permitted. Throwing material, liquid or solid, would be considered a strike. Spectators caught with a flare may be locked in the toilet of a Van and the smoke device tossed in. Think of the extra TV ratings cycling would get! The UCI should love this idea. Maybe Moscone would like being a Bludger!
That Moscon video statement really comes from the depth of his heart, not scripted at all ;) Also, great Usain Bolt analogy there, I have huge respect for any sprinter who makes it across those mountains, no matter the time. Someone like Greipel or Kittel have to carry at least 20kg more up there than some of the climbers. I'd be interested to see their average watts on a climb...I'd imagine in some cases it's more than the stage winners.
He rides for an English-language team, I am sure he could cobble a few words together...the point is that the apology does not sound genuine at all. Not a fan of being insulted by the way...:/
About the barriers... I agree it would be a shame for the sport, but I do hate the stupidity of people. There are only a few that ruin it, but they ruin it for everyone. The time limit... I'm in 2 minds about this, I think the sprinters do need to be able to climb because it's the Tour de France. On the other hand if there's no sprinters left then Sagan will win the green Jersey by a long way (he'll always win it, but it just takes the competition out of it) as well as the flat stages becoming even more boring. I love the mountain stages, but flat stages are a bit dull, if you take out the sprinters then even the last 20K will suck too. I'd say add another 1-2% if anything
There has to be barriers. Guys at the top of their game bursting their lungs being impeded by a pissed up guy in a superhero costume with a glass of beer in one hand and a selfie stick in another, does nothing for the sport. Same reason you don't have fun runners jogging alongside Olympic marathon runners.
Some outspoken ex pro riders inciting the crowd into bad behaviour has caused this problem. They should compensate Nibali and his team for financial and personal injury.
Uh, Dan, I don't think Nibali finished with "a fractured L10 vertebrae"(1:01). I think you mean a fractured T10 vertebrae. He is is tough as nails and that spectator is an idiot. Hooking someone's handlebars (inadvertently or on purpose) is a stupid thing to be doing in a bike race. Stay out of the way and enjoy the race. The Tour without Nibali is now worse off.
There will be some fans that will always spoil it for others, and that’s unfortunate. I think the should put a double layer barrier with 50cm of space between the barriers. No one except security personnel would be allowed in the 50cm space. This will cure most of the interference issues, I believe. Thanks for the great show.
Global Cycling Network please remind me, who was this rider you guys mentioned who once got knocked off his bike and has proceeded to punch the offender with his front wheel?
You forgot to mention the Transcontinental Race #TCRNo6 that also starts on Sunday and is very much comparable to NC4000 (but including independent navigation). Thanks for the TDF update!! love the show!
Sprinters need to just train more for the mountains! It’s a tour around France, there are mountains in France so you need to ride well up mountains. If some sprinters can do it then other should as well!
Once I crashed from the breakaway of a race. Two riders went down in front of me and I punctured on their chainrings. They didn't want to chase back on so I borrowed one of their wheels. The peleton was back by the time I was riding again, but I bridged back across to finish second. Race officials never found out!
Great stuff Dan, many thanks. Too bad about the sprinters being cut, though not very common. TDF is a very tough event, all participants should be well prep'd, as for the time limit, there is ALWAYS room for improvement, fine tuning; etc... No Nibali changes everything, depending on how much room there is, maybe pushing back a bit more on the barriers to give the riders some space or just having a higher barriers to avoid bags & straps hanging over impeding with the riders. Geraint is Sky's leader and will be so until Froome outrides him. The aggressive Sky chap needs to cut down on the steroids and do some much needed maturing. Cheers.
G usually has one bad day in a tour,Tom is getting stronger each day,Froome is not far enough ahead of Tom as yet. Tom is my pick,he will win it after the time trial.
Some UCI rules make no sense whatsoever. Why is it forbidden to help riders from other teams? In cross-country skiing you often see coaches giving new poles to anyone who needs them. In Rally Dakar you also see fellow competitors helping each other out. Why not in cycling if someone is feeling generous? On a similar subject, why is it forbidden to push a teammate in a team time trial? It is a TEAM time trial after all. The rider who pushes, needs to expend more energy, so it's rather similar to drafting. It's not like they are getting any outside assistance.
ASO should be ashamed for the Alpe d’Huez incident. Awful organisation, Nibali left without an helicopter, all riders at risk. These riders should boycott the tour and go for the Giro. It’s much better organised.
Unfortunately, Italy's infrastructure is very poor of late. The road surfaces are become extremely dangerous for the cyclists. Hopefully they will sort that out. The best organised grand tour at the moment seems to be the Vuelta.
he is lucky he only broke his L10. very easy recovery, really, takes no time. i have broken my T10, that is a bitch. i would much rather have broken my L10.
Add barriers for the whole length of any category 1 or HC climbs. Essentially barriers are needed for any section of the road where the cyclists are going slowly enough that some idiots in the crowd feel it is possible to run next to them, step into the road ahead of them to take photos, throw urine over them or punch them. Athlete safety must take priority over the so-called enjoyment of idiots in the crowd. Don't know whether barriers are necessary on category 2, 3 or 4 climbs but they may be. Another thing that needs cracking down on are flares. Anyone who TV coverage shows to have a flare should be arrested. Flares are a danger to those in the crowd around them and a danger to the competitors because of the visibility problems they cause.
I think it will be Thomas. If DuMoulin has a good day at stage 19 and can gain some time on the Sky group it will be very exciting. But I still have the feeling that the Sky group will win. Thomas is also a very good time trial specialist, he wont lose much there...
G deserves to win, he's worked hard for Froomey for so long, and this could be his last chance to win the tour. I love Froomey, but I think I'd rather Thomas wins this one.
To solve the problem with spectators running too close to the riders, Maybe the Tour should ask advice to the WRC organizers. Some 20 years ago it was the exact same problem in rally races. (including some fatal accidents). Today that is a thing of the past and spectators very much stay out of the road even without hard barriers.
Here's a good start.... BAN Flare use in Le Tour!! Nibali couldn't see 15 feet because of the smoke coming off that stupid flare. That cost Nibali the opportunity for a Stage victory.
It's retarded how the TDF is geared specifically for climbers where the sprinters have NO chance. Sure, there's the green jersey but that's really not the ultimate price. They should alternate the layout that favors sprinters and all arounders every other year. This race as it is, does NOT prove who the best rider is, it only distinguishes the best climber. We know who the world champ is.
This is not the first time a star's chances of winning were dashed by a roadside spectator that was not acting maliciously but was negligent. Recall Sagen being taken out by a fan's jacket and I'm pretty sure I remember camera straps being responsible for other crashes very similar to that which happened to Nibali. Maybe it would be in vein, but should loose closing, jackets, camera straps, flags, etc., be banned from the roadside? This could be enforced before the race arrives. ... and for goodness sake, ban the smoke bombs! I cringe every time I think of gasping for every ounce of air on a climb and having to suck un blue smoke!
Yes. More barriers , helmets on climbs optional and fine/ arrest anyone setting off smoke bombs. Those climbs are way too chaotic with drunk idiots w their cameras and dogs getting in the way.
It's a disgrace that the fans are so bold to destroy the cyclists' career with such a reckless and selfish behavior rather than helping them to win. If you cannot help, at least don't disturb. YES for barriers!
The key to crowd issues at the tour is more responsible spectating. If you see someone being a D#*$k then tell them. If we all did this then the Ejits would be in the minority and you would have the support of all the responsible spectators around you.
I would bet Moscon only did a video apology to satisfy his Team Sky handlers , it just didn't feel heartfelt. Kudo's go to Team Sky for helping out EBH.
Can you do something about that jersey lurking in the background? We the viewers are dividing our attention between the ever-fresh Daniel Lloyd and wondering about the state of something left for laundry pick up.
We need more info on the grid start of stage 17 to have an idea of how Sky team tactics might unfold. Dumoulin is in a bit of a pickle since his closest help is placed 27th and I'd be inclined to think that if Dan Martin had to pick an alliance it would be with the Sky boys since Froome worked with him on stage 10. I expect Sky might have Bernal drill it from his start spot on the grid to get to the front of race and then it would be G, Froome and Bernal likely matched against the three Movistar boys.
For GC contention, I’m gonna have to go for Geraint Thomas. He’s looking very strong, decent gap, i think this is his year to win. But anything can happen in this last week, it’s gonna be an exciting one! For the sprinters on the mountain stages, I believe that the time limit will should be increased. It’s not as fun when all the sprinters get knocked out of the race, the incredibly talented sprinters should at least be contention for the green jersey. And they are riding incredibly fast up those climbs already, especially given their body type. Even just a little bit longer time limit would be nice. For the whole fan thing, watching the videos and i can’t imagine being one of those riders with fans all over my face. That’s cool that so many people want to support the race, but if I were riding in there I would definitely appreciate having a little space to concentrate and not have to worry about someone knocking me off my bike. Yes, there is plenty of respectful fans, but unfortunately the crowd is only as safe as those couple of dangerous fans.
It sure will be exciting! You're right there Jen, it is great that so many people want to watch the sport but the minority can make it dangerous for the riders
Dumoulin or Roglić! Either one so long as it's not a Sky win. They've won 5 of the last 6 TDFs. Spread the enjoyment! Y'all's (team Sky) budget is tenfold of other world tour teams. You've won 5 of the last 6 TDFs (as mentioned above) and the last 3 grand tours overall. ALL BY THE SAME PERSON (except Wiggin's win)!!! Spread the love! You can have more than one superstar in a sport. Examples: Basketball, Tennis, American Football, Baseball, Football/Soccer, Cricket, Swimming, Surfing, Gaming... amongst others. Team Sky, be a perennial powerhouse, but don't win every grand tour. It just makes more fans hate you.
I have no answers. I haven't had any since I was 21; however, I do thing Le Tour needs to find a way to deal with unruly spectators. Most, from what I have seen on TV, are respectful. But the handful that create a risk to the safety of the riders should be removed.
Sorry but I would love Thomas to win, but froome is team leader and he wants to create history winning 2 grand tours. So I think something will happen in the mountains that Thomas will pretend to crack. On a climb. Or work for froome then just let him go.. Sky want to be history makers.
I can't see Team Sky giving up on getting higher and higher in the record books if Froome wins another Tour. Therefore, I think they'll support him until the end, unless it's very obvious that he's under performing (not the case, at least for now).
The racing has been fantastic this year with the overall still in play. Froome, G, and Dumolin can all time trial well on their day. It looks to be an exciting finish. I could see adjusting the time limits, but not eliminating them. If they are eliminated then all sorts of gamesmanship trash will happen that will negatively impact the race. Serious fines and maybe even a little jail time needs to be introduced and enforced to protect the riders. A whopping fine for touching a rider would motivate fans to be a little careful.
Easy solution - police on e bikes around the GC favourites up the mountain where their are no barriers. Police on e bikes on left and right clearing the road
I’m tired of the media’s “who’s team sky’s leader” story. Unless Thomas attacks Froome, there is no point to it since that’s all that would really matter.
I don't remember anyone ever complaining about Didi the Devil and in fact on many occasions cyclists will take water offered by the spectators. The problem is this new breed of "cycling hooligan" that has reared its ugly head again but those are a small minority that should not spoil the spectacle for the thousands that line up the roads every day. The problem is how do you police against them? You can't put barriers on the whole climb and you can't prohibit spectating on the side of the road. It's pack and parcel of road cycling. Realistically the only thing that can be done is increased police presence and severe punishments for those that attempt to assault cyclists. Make an example of a few of them and the rest will behave.
You can't put barriers along miles and miles of roads - it would make the Tour into even more of a logistical nightmare than it already is. If only there was some box you could fit onto the motos to block cellphone cameras within a near radius - that would cut out half the idiots trying to take selfies.
What's an L-10 vertebrae? If you don't let me get away with "predicting" stage winners after the stage is done, I won't let you get away with this. Love the Facebook stage recaps, keep up the good work
Fans that interfere with race crashing an overall contender should be responsible for damages to injured equal to the loss of prize money for overall win.
Froom is sandbagging. Sorry for the f1 term but it fits the situation perfectly. He is trying to make himself look weaker this year in order to make himself look more believable after all the doping allegations. I would go as far as saying he is ready to loose the tour to Thomas in order to clear his name. I'm honestly not even interested who wins anyway, they are both doped out of their minds. They and team sky are killing the sport. Doping, constantly checking their power meters in order to make sure they aren't making inhuman amounts of power, punching other riders and the list goes on... And for those who will say the playing field is level because all of them are doping should check their facts: the two other biggest contenders for the top spot (bardet and dumoulin) ride for teams which are part of the fcc ( fédération pour un cyclisme plus crédible, or the fédération for a more credible cycling) and are therefore submitted to much more rigourours testing than the riders on the other world tour teams, including sky. The race for third place is where it's at. The race for first is between mutants, a track sprinter miraculously turned world class climber, and a nobody, 144th of his first tour de France miraculously turned pro timetrialist/monster climber. Amazing people still buy into this crap.
Does the Green Jersey have to finish the whole tour to win it overall? If Sagan gets more than anyone else, but crashes out, would he still get it overall? Does anyone know?
Gianni Moscon needs to be reminded that The Tour is composed of all Nationalities, the bicycles themselves are colored differently... and the Tour itself, uses different color jerseys to distinguish accomplishments during the race (Yellow Jersey, Polka Dot...etc). If Mr. Moscon cannot respect the racial and international diversity of The Tour... and he cannot conduct himself professionally, and like a Gentleman... our sport could certainly do without him. Gianni... Grow Up. Your inmaturity will end your career.
I agree 110% percent. Team Sky claimed he would be "disciplined" about what happened with Reza last year, but keeping him on the team was his punishment LOL SMH. The team's unresponsiveness speaks volumes and sends the message that riders can act out of line and get away scott free.
