Behind the Peloton: Tour de France 2011 time-trials and tribulations

CEBU, Philippines - TT’s is an expensive discipline. Teams spend a lot of money for wind tunnel testing and aerodynamic equipments yet I don’t think it can make a difference in the overall classification. For the lower tier teams in the Tour, I think they don’t really care since they’re only after stage wins and not the general classification. But the general perception is that a good TT result will go a long way in the final standings.

GARMIN-CERVELO belongs at the top of the TT food chain. The bike sponsor, Cervelo, is way ahead of the game in terms of aerodynamics and technology, therefore, they need a good showing in the TT to keep their status as a leader in the bike manufacturing business.

In fairness, GARMIN-CERVELO didn’t disappoint by winning the stage. But is a 4-second win worth the sporting effort? Again, I don’t think so. But in terms of pageantry though, the TTT is non-pareil.

The French and Contador

The crash in the peloton in stag 1 with less than nine kilometers to go involved Alberto Contador who ended up losing 1min 14sec to his main rivals. The crash was caused by a lady fan standing by the side of the looking the wrong way when the peloton passed by. Le Equipe, the French newspaper whose owners also own the Tour de France, have suggested that the lady, who was wearing a yellow tee, was more successful in eliminating Contador in the finale. The paper gave her 5/10 stars for her painful job.

Saddle Sored

The position of the saddle (bicycle seat) is personal and just a millimeter of tilt (usually, the front is lower than the back in TT’s) can make a ride a numbing experience on your manhood. But there is a largely ignored UCI rule 1.3.012 that states, “the saddle support shall be horizontal”. Just before stage 2, the UCI were at it again, enforcing the rule that they have largely forgotten, catching the 22 teams unaware. SAXO BANK DS Bjarne Riis said the checks was “BS!” which was echoed by almost all of the teams. The funny thing was that the jig used by the UCI wasn’t horizontal at all and the team mechanics who noticed didn’t tell the commisairess and were able to get away with the rule.

Stage 3 predictions:

There are fewer opportunities for sprinters this year but this stage is designed for them. Expect Mark Canvendish, Tyler Farrar and Alessandro Petacchi to be in the mix. My favorite? Farrar. Realistically? Cavendish. Sprinter to watch: Denis Galimzyanov.

 (FREEMAN)