I approve of a time trial on the final stage - with a big climb and a huge descent at the end - all with live timing/display monitors. No one would get hurt ..
That’s TdF race is what put cycling on the map and made Lemond a household name in U.S Da fug you talkin’ about Frenchie?
He's talking about the ITT being the Final Stage of the TdF. Which, as it turns out, has only happened ONCE since the early 70's. And even back in the older days, it was often a very short TT in the morning, followed by a parade stage in the afternoon.
But stage 21.of 1989 was absolutely glorious. Lemond put 58 seconds on Fignon to win the TDF by 8 seconds on the final day. Even if they keep the last day parade they should throw an ITT in as stage 20 from time to time. Make it suck. 50km or so.
I'd say 50-65km, non technical descent with ~1000m of climbing in it. More power climb (55x17) at pace than goat up a hillside climb (39x23/25). The rollers would love it.
I watched today. Great finish. 10 more seconds of jockying for the sprint would have changed the game.
The rainy descents on day 1 looked sketchy. The Astana rider that crashed looked like he was doing his best impersonation of a Moto GP rider backing it in, but even the leg dangle couldn't save that. Even though it is late, glad to see the tour on.
They could, but with it as flat as a board the only way it would change is a crash or big mechanical.
Yeah no doubt and even then there’s the gentlemen’s agreement to not attack when there’s a crash or mechanical. But I still think they should give it a try.
The best TdF I’ve ever seen. The organizers did a fantastic job and I hope future editions are just as exciting.