Q abt TDF timing

[Dogtrousers]

Only the occasional on-screen counting-up timer seen at summits and other key points means "G1 passed the point where G2 is right now X minutes ago". The ones along the top of the screen seem to mean "if the finish line was where G1 is right now, we estimate G2 would finish at +whatever".

Now think about the time gaps shown on time trials

I'm glad someone else has a sufficiently trivial mind to give this some thought.

 

[mjr]

I'm glad someone else has a sufficiently trivial mind to give this some thought.

Nothing else to keep minds occupied during ITTs!

 

[matticus]

I'll try to correct for terrain as well. That is, G1 is going up hill and G2 is still descending so that rapidly closing gap isn't indicative... does my head in, so I gave up.

That doesn't matter much: as long as riderA isn't MASSIVELY quicker at one discipline than the other (over RIderB), then the gap will be consistent.

 

[yello]

That doesn't matter much: as long as riderA isn't MASSIVELY quicker at one discipline than the other (over RIderB), then the gap will be consistent.

Oh, I know! Doesn't stop me starting to try and do it though!

 

[novetan]

Ok tks for all replies. Timing always taken fr front rider/grp.

Who are into F1? I see two types of timing and it is confusing. Sometimes it seems making ref to front car, at other times is showing gaps between cars until I don't now which is which. Any advise

 

[mjr]

Who are into F1?

Fools who haven't yet realised why it's better sport to have nearly 200ish racers exerting themselves on a linear course instead of 20ish sitting in brum-brums going round and round?

 

[novetan]

Fools who haven't yet realised why it's better sport to have nearly 200ish racers exerting themselves on a linear course instead of 20ish sitting in brum-brums going round and round?

Let me guess. Hmmm....maybe most drivers has stent

 

[biking_fox]

Ok tks for all replies. Timing always taken fr front rider/grp.

Who are into F1? I see two types of timing and it is confusing. Sometimes it seems making ref to front car, at other times is showing gaps between cars until I don't now which is which. Any advise

Yeah F1 shows both and you have to be awake to spot/guess which one it is. Gaps between cars are more important in F1, as <1s indicates an overtake is possible, but cycling only really cares about the winner.

 

[yello]

Gaps between cars are more important in F1, as <1s indicates an overtake is possible, but cycling only really cares about the winner.

I'm not sure if "cycling" only cares about the winner. The televising might give that impression but I don't think that's fair to say of cycling fans. Cyclists are constantly 'overtaking' each other so it's not really a thing in and of itself. What cycling does have is the temporary allegiances that will form, in a breakaway or chasing pack, where cyclists of different teams will work together for a shared purpose. That dynamic is fascinating in that everyone knows it will come to an end at some point but the timing of the 'when' is a strategy in itself.

As with any subject, the more you know the richer it becomes. With cycling, you start to see and appreciate these little 'races with races' and see how they are constantly coming into life, evolving and/or petering out. There's only one rider that crosses the finish line first, yes that's true, but there's a whole lot more going on than just that.

 

[Beebo]

One similarity is the overall event is decided by a series of single races.
So whilst winning a race is good the true objective is consistency over time.