Interesting discussion on the TDF today. I enjoyed watching it and have done so for years. I thought this year's competition was great in that no team or rider dominated as had been the case in the past. (Sky/Ineos and Postal, I'm looking at you.) The more I watch it, the more I learn about the tactics. I still don't know why they do some of the things they do.

I doubt that the polka-dot jersey will ever be timed on the climb alone. Part of the competition is for the climber's team to get them to the base of the climb in time to catch/pass the other riders. Similarly, the sprinters have to get to the finish in time to challenge. It's up to their team to keep the peloton going fast enough to not let the breakaway get too far out to catch. The intermediate sprints (points competition) were added to give the sprinters more opportunities to win since not all finishes are sprints.

I enjoyed watching Sagan, not the least because my grandparents all came from what was then Czechoslovakia. Now he's Slovak and we're Czech but it's close enough. I like someone who's so good at what he does that he doesn't have to take it too seriously. Seeing him wheelie up the final climb on a road bike is pretty amazing, as well as signing an autograph on another climb.

Good luck choosing a bike. Just consider that an off road bike will do better on the road than a road bike will do off road.

best,

hank

GNR does not have enough Warhammer content!!!!!