The Tour De France

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Today will basically decide the TDF. If Shleck can't get a couple of minutes advantage over Contador today then I think it's all over unless Contador has a mechanical failure in the TimeTrial (not that I would wish that, but it might be devine justice ).

Just because there isn't a rule in the rule book that says "Riders will not take advantage of fellow riders mechanical misfortunes" doesn't make Contador's conduct any more creditable than it is (and it isn't creditable at all).

There are long standing rider protocols in the peleton which for example include not attacking during a call of nature to another rider (toilet stop).

There is such a thing as a rider contumeliously taking unconscionable advantage of another rider's misfortune (due to no fault of the other rider himself). These commonly accepted protocols are so that riders are placed on their merits and not by one rider taking advantage of another person having to stop to go to the toilet or to get a mechanical mishap rectified. No doubt Contador knew of these principles. If Contador had waited for Shleck and other riders attacked, no doubt Contador would have been on the race radio to the other riders to pull up.

I hope that the race is ultimately run and won on the merits of the riders and not one grabbing an advantage due to a reason beyond another rider's control.

No doubt there are those who take great pleasure and extract advantage for themselves from exploiting a moment of weakness in another. Fortunately there aren't too many people who subscribe to this philosophy.

Hi Steve,

Can you put a hold on all the Forum members posts while I tie my shoelace.

Otherwise I can't keep up.