Cycling: The Tour de France 2018 is already 15 stages old. In some ratings we have come a good deal closer to the decision. But there are still 6 stages to go - and anything can happen in cycling. On the second Tour de France rest day we look at 4 insights that we have been able to gain so far. It's not just about sporting aspects, but also about the organization and implementation of cycling.
1) The Tour de France has to revise the grace period
Marcel Kittel (Katusha-Alpecin), Mark Cavendish (dimension data), André Greipel (Lotto Soudal), Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNLJumbo) and Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) – all top sprinters, all out before the second Tour de France rest day! Rarely has there been such a drastic sprinter death on a Tour of France. This happened to the Alpine stages #11 and #12. Even though most of the riders gave up and were not eliminated at the finish because of the time limit, they are all because of the Waiting period went. Many of them were already so far behind after the first tough climb of the day that it was impossible to keep to the time limit. There shouldn't be anything like that at the Tour de France. The waiting period certainly makes sense, because the unambitious riders are not allowed to take hours and finish a stage comfortably. However, the purpose of the grace period should not be that field of sprinters is completely thinned out.
My Tour de France dream is over. I'm very disappointed about yesterday but I tried to give my best until the end. It's the first time that I'm out of time limit like that. Maybe it makes... https://t.co/3Sb8A0A8Dd
— Marcel Kittel (@marcelkittel) July 19, 2018
2) Self-portrayals endanger the safety of drivers
Unfortunately, the Tour de France on the twelfth stage Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) lost. The Italian fell up to Alpe d'Huez and had to finish the tour with a vertebral fracture give up. Unfortunately, falls and racing accidents have always been part of cycling, but the spectators must not interfere with the race. Vincenzo Nibali got caught in a loop by a spectator. Months of preparation is gone and the sponsor loses a lot of money because the pro didn't even reach the second Tour de France rest day. While driver safety is improving across the board, it appears to be declining when it comes to spectators. We saw this several times - alone on the twelfth stage. So became Chris Froome (Sky) boxed by a spectator and almost got off the bike. Also Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) narrowly escaped a fall from fans. In times of Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, many fans seem to come to cycling not to celebrate their heroes, but because they want to be the center of attention. But it is important to note: the heroes are the ones on the bike. And the self-promoters should please let them sit on their bikes.
📽 ¡Lamentable and denunciable! Un espectador empuja desspectivamente a Froome durante el ascenso a Alpe D'Huez.
(🎥 @m_brandely) #TdF2018 #TourEnCOPE pic.twitter.com/bWHPW7hPaw
— COPEdaleando (@Copedaleando) July 19, 2018
3) The dominance of a single team must be prevented in the future
The Tour de France 2018 is certainly not boring. Nevertheless, the dominance of Team Sky does not exactly please many cycling fans. The British team has dominated the Tour of France since 2012. The races seem monotonous sky train almost like an array of robots. The viewers actually want to see passion, fighting spirit and emotions. Added to this is the very unpopular behavior of the team. The doping scandals Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins shared the scene. Even at the Tour de France, the booing of the fans cannot be ignored. In general, of course - far removed from any doping discussions - it can be said that the strength of a team is not the fault of this team. The challengers are called upon to break the dominance. But perhaps the UCI should also consider introducing financial limits. Team Sky can invest more than twice as much money in riders, salaries and equipment than some other participants in the Tour de France. Seen in this way, it's no wonder that there are people in the Sky jersey who would be the boss in other teams. Also a topic that should be considered on a Tour de France rest day.
Every day is another step closer to Paris #TDF2018 #SundayMotivation pic.twitter.com/9OegZw5Cuy
— Team Sky (@TeamSky) July 22, 2018
4) Chapeau! Movistar, Sunweb & LottoNL-Jumbo are great fun
Despite the dominance of Team Sky, the challengers can hardly be blamed. Mikel Landa, Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde, for example, are certainly not in top form, but the team is Movistar has pulled out all the stops so far. An early attack by Valverde failed and unfortunately Quintana and Landa alternated between good and bad days. Also the team Sunweb has presented himself strongly so far - even though Tom Dumoulin already has the Giro d'Italia in his legs. His attack on the eleventh stage left an impression. The Dutch team caused a sensation with a duo LottoNL Jumbo. Steven Kruijswijk has up after Alpe d'Huez almost made for a Dutch success. In the overall ranking, Primoz Roglic should be noted. The former ski jumper still has a chance of reaching the podium in Paris. Conclusion: We spectators were offered a lot until the second Tour de France rest day.
🇫🇷#TDF2018@rogla gains and @s_kruijswijk loses some time in fourteenth stage
📝 https://t.co/5QeXqzJCVv pic.twitter.com/fWhci9Ay4t— LottoNLJumbo Cycling (@LottCycling: The Tour de France 2018 is already 15 stages old. oJumbo_road) July 21, 2018