Tour Question - no spoiler

[Kano]

Here's my question, and it's likely got a silly answer:

What's the deal with zipping up the jersey as they get close to the finish line?

Is it just so that they "look pretty" while crossing? Or is there a real reason for it?

Karen in Boise

[limewave]

I'm guessing, and this is truly just my guess, but so that the television crews can clearly see the sponsor names on the jerseys as they cross the line.

[SadieKate]

Sponsors pay big money to get their logos seen. Breakaways sometimes occur just to give sponsors TV coverage.

[Eden]

Your guess is absolutely correct. The main reason that the the sponsors pay for the teams is to get camera time. Sometimes when you see suicide breaks its for the same reason. The riders know they will likely get caught before the finish, but their sponsor gets a lot of face time when they are out in a break and for a team that doesn't have much in the way of superstars or stage winners it can be important - and hey you never know - sometimes they don't bother to chase you down or miscalculate chasing you down and you win.

[triflor]

I remember last year (I think) someone forgot to up their zip before winning the stage. Right away Paul and Phil (commentators) were talking about what an earful the rider would get from his sponsers that night.

[AuntieK]

Huh...and I just thought it was so they'd be more aero for the sprint!

[SadieKate]

The race jerseys have gotten shorter over the years so that the sponsors' logos on their butts can be seen.

Wonder what is the next new location for logos.

[spazzdog]

SK... shame, shame

[SadieKate]

What? I was thinking calf tattoos ala Amici Veloci.

What were you thinking?

[Aggie_Ama]

Earlier this year someone won a stage with their jersey half unzipped. I can't remember which stage it was but DH was commenting about the sponsors being annoyed with that.

I am surprised T-Mobile hasn't tried to tell Kessler to stop wearing the torn base layer. It has been driving me crazy!

[bcipam]

Funny you mention the base layer - I asked a friend if some came like that or if Kessler took a scissor to his. He thought it actually came that way.

[chickwhorips]

I am surprised T-Mobile hasn't tried to tell Kessler to stop wearing the torn base layer. It has been driving me crazy!

that has been driving me crazy too.

also my bf use to race all the time and said that its the "professional thing to do" when they zip up the jersey because of the sponser thing.

personally i like the one on backside. never heard of iSHARES until the tour. lol

[Tri Girl]

Yes, Kessler's torn base layer makes me cringe. I think tour riders are becoming like Nascar drivers/cars- they pimp their uniforms out for the sponsors. Cracks me up. Next? Perhaps helmets with stickers, glasses w/hologram sponsor images, base layers w/logos, sponsor shoes... I like the tatoo comment! I do like the advertisements on their butts. Like I need more of an excuse to look at those.

I like how they get "dressed" before crossing the line. Makes their sponsors happy and makes them look professional.
I love pro cyclists- they're the cutest.

[dobielover1]

I think it was last year's tour, someone crossed the line with their shirt not zipped...and I can remember Phil Liggett saying the sponser wouldn't be happy.

[Kano]

Sponsors is kind of what was in my mind -- thanks for the confirmation! Could tell it wasn't for a sprint -- they sure don't make their bodies more aero after zipping up!

The torn base layer: it's his lucky underwear, and it doesn't matter who complains, he's keeping that, you know it!!!

Karen in Boise