I think the number finishing outside the time limit says a whole lot about the stages and their difficulty. It's simply overload, physically and mentally. This years Vuelta has the feel of an SAS selection course, harder, longer, higher, more, more, more. Only two rest days as well, they could actually have done with a 3rd. I think ASO need to re-think how the Vuelta is defined, especially at the end of a long season so close to the worlds.
La Vuelta 2016 **SPOILERS**
- Thread starter rich p
- Start date
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Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
Err, one Cat 3, one Cat 2 and a Cat 1 summit finish and the total distance was 118.5km, so hardly "overload" in terms of the stage. The riders got mugged big time by attacking riding on the front. They should have got binned. The "punishment" was all riders got 25 points deducted in the points competition. Wow.
Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
I meant the whole thing aggregated, not just that stage but you could see the fatigue on that stage.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
It's one of the quirks of cycling that I find interesting the commissaires are so laissez-faire with les regles. Possibly a result of its gallic heritage.
You don't get the TMO in rugby saying "Well, yes, he did put his foot in touch, but hey, apart from that it was a good try so I've decided to let it stand."
Yesterday: total cock-up or cynical artificial rest day on the part of Sky?
You don't get the TMO in rugby saying "Well, yes, he did put his foot in touch, but hey, apart from that it was a good try so I've decided to let it stand."
Yesterday: total cock-up or cynical artificial rest day on the part of Sky?
brommers
Years beyond my wisdom
- Location
- Clacton-on-Sea
The biggest loser there was Meersman - particularly as he has more chances of high finishes, including today.
Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
I didn't see fatigue at all. I saw a whole load of riders getting dropped by attacking riding.
edit - I understand that riders will be tired, that's one of the side effects of a Grand Tour. But yesterday was not collective fatigue.
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GuyBoden
Guru
- Location
- Warrington
The strong breakaway group was just too fast for the Sky team to catch. In the GC, Quintana was superb, Esteban Chaves rode well too, especially on that final climb. A nice trip to the seaside next on the stage 16.
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
How about DQing them?
It's an option!
Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
The problem with seeking "more creative ways" is that they'll not apply the rules, like they don't apply the current ones.
Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
You need very special eyebrows to be able to get them matching your hairstyle
I saw both. Coupled with a hard late tour, staffed by riders at the end of a season, who don't have the Vuelta as a first choice GT aim backed up by teams who may not have the strength in depth of a Tour or even Giro team, else I don't think you'd have seen such a large group just amble in. In fact I can't recall the last time such a large group were so late, though I'm sure there was one.
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
The current rule is unenforceable. What I mean about being more creative is they should try to come up with rules that are both enforceable and come with a meaningful punishment.
Easier said than done, I know.
Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
Oh look, a small group of fatigued riders has got a 3 minute lead... 
Pro Tour Punditry
Guru
Easily enforceable - DQ everyone not making the time limit. Or get rid of the rule.
