The whole point is to be the race leader at the end, not now
The race will be won and lost in the Pyrenees and the Alps. But having the yellow jersey bringw with it two burdens.
First, your team is 'expected' to do the chasing, control the pack, keep breakaways under control etc. That is wearing, when you want to be saving energy. Obviously you can refuse to, but it's a game of brinkmanship, and you start off in a weaker position than the other teams.
Second, there are actually big burdens on the yellow jersey wearer every evening. The Tour is an endurance event, which is about recovery as much as anything - who can get least tired. Most riders dive back to their team buses after each stage for massage, ice baths, food, sleep etc. But the yellow jersey can't. He has to spend the next few hours after each stage hanging around to go on the podium, then doing media interviews, drugs tests etc. May seem irrelevant, but it builds up.
The situation before yesterday was perfect for him - one person ahead of him, who had to do all that stuff, but had no chance of overall victory, while he had a bit of a lead over his rivals for the overall win.
Now he still has that little biffer - which will be useful - but he has all the burden of the yellow jersey too. We'll see.
Posted By: Tricky Hawes on July 10th 2015 at 10:39:18
Message Thread
- FAO T. Hawes Esq (Other Sports) - Old Git, Jul 10, 10:32:01
- The whole point is to be the race leader at the end, not now (Other Sports) - Tricky Hawes, Jul 10, 10:39:18
- He is a hotter favourite now than a few days ago (n/m) (Other Sports) - SCC 28, Jul 10, 10:43:09
- That's nothing to do with Martin crashing last night and him getting yellow (Other Sports) - Tricky Hawes, Jul 10, 10:49:47
- Ah yeah I see (n/m) (Other Sports) - SCC 28, Jul 10, 10:52:01
- ^^^Who has stolen Mikey's login? (n/m) (Other Sports) - yarmyyarmy, Jul 10, 10:55:03
- Andy Muggy (n/m) (Other Sports) - Old Git, Jul 10, 10:57:21
- My limited knowledge did know Martin wasn't a contender (n/m) (Other Sports) - SCC 28, Jul 10, 10:57:20
- ^^^Who has stolen Mikey's login? (n/m) (Other Sports) - yarmyyarmy, Jul 10, 10:55:03
- Ah yeah I see (n/m) (Other Sports) - SCC 28, Jul 10, 10:52:01
- That's nothing to do with Martin crashing last night and him getting yellow (Other Sports) - Tricky Hawes, Jul 10, 10:49:47
- Hmm, so will we see him ease off a bit and let someone else take the lead before the (Other Sports) - Old Git, Jul 10, 10:41:48
- That's pretty difficult to do (Other Sports) - Tricky Hawes, Jul 10, 10:47:29
- best hope is for Sagz to get it on time bonifications (Other Sports) - Ralf Scrampton, Jul 10, 10:59:46
- can't happen - even if he wins the next 2 road stages (Other Sports) - Tricky Hawes, Jul 10, 11:10:32
- ah fair enough, he could lose it to him in the team trial, but then it's a bit late for (Other Sports) - Ralf Scrampton, Jul 10, 11:20:19
- Yup. Suspect he's just got to put up with it for the next 5 days (Other Sports) - Tricky Hawes, Jul 10, 11:24:40
- ah fair enough, he could lose it to him in the team trial, but then it's a bit late for (Other Sports) - Ralf Scrampton, Jul 10, 11:20:19
- can't happen - even if he wins the next 2 road stages (Other Sports) - Tricky Hawes, Jul 10, 11:10:32
- best hope is for Sagz to get it on time bonifications (Other Sports) - Ralf Scrampton, Jul 10, 10:59:46
- That's pretty difficult to do (Other Sports) - Tricky Hawes, Jul 10, 10:47:29
- (*buffer*, not biffer. BK.) (n/m) (Other Sports) - Tricky Hawes, Jul 10, 10:40:27
- Biffy the Vimpire Sliyer (New Zealand edition) (n/m) (Other Sports) - Old Git, Jul 10, 10:42:52
- He is a hotter favourite now than a few days ago (n/m) (Other Sports) - SCC 28, Jul 10, 10:43:09
- The whole point is to be the race leader at the end, not now (Other Sports) - Tricky Hawes, Jul 10, 10:39:18
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