TDF Spoiler - Umm, jobob?

[Kalidurga]

To feed the Floyd sniffle-fest and give Rasmussen his due (it definitely was an amazing, powerful ride), Velonews has good video interviews with both riders:

Velonews.com: Latest Video

[snapdragen]

And from Cyclingnews:

Floyd Interview

Makes me like him even more.

[Kano]

Okay, so, this is my third day watching this stuff ever -- got the channel in my hotel room. Get to see tomorrow morning, then go home. I'll miss seeing it, but...

This shirt stuff has me confused. Rasmussen wins, gets a polka dot shirt?
Other guy didnt' win, gets yellow shirt. Sounds to me like yellow shirt is the big deal? I thought it was for the guy who wins each day?

So, what's up with polka dots? What's the deal with yellow? Any other colors we newbies should be knowing about?

And, Landis had all kinds of yellow stuff to go with his shirt today (dunno what he had the other days, only figured out who he was today) Does he change bike colors tomorrow?

Gotta say -- I like the guy: he made it to the finish like I make it to the top of a hill. It wasn't pretty, but he made it! (this particular ride, I'm thinking I wouldn't have made it, or maybe I'd still be working my way through it about two days from now, y'know?)

I wonder if there are any other "losers" out there to like a lot -- more guys who get there like I do!

Karen in Boise

[Aggie_Ama]

Karen- The jerseys each have significance and it is confusing your first year to figure those out! I hope the following run down helps, I am trying to explain it after waking in the night feeling ill.


Yellow- The overall race leader. Also refered to as the Maillot Jaune (I think I got the spelling right). So yes, this is the one to get.

Polka Dots- King of the Mountains. The get points for being the first (second, third...) over certain mountains/hills. For some guys this is the jersey they want because they are not riding for the GC (general classification).

Green- Sprinter jersey. You probably haven't seen much of this one lately. They get points for designated sprints like the mountains. The guys who pride themselves on being sprinters (Robbie McEwen, Thor Hurshovd, Tom Boonen) want this jersey.

White- Best Young Rider. I think they have to be 25 or younger to qualify for this award. I guess it is close to rookie of the year, but based off age and not how many times they ride.

And not to confuse you more, but some have special jerseys based on other awards. If they are the National Champion of their home country, they might have a jersey to signify that. Tom Boonen (who left the race a couple days ago) is the World Champion and has a white jersey with rainbow stripes to show that, even though his team jersey is blue and white.

Now the yellow helmet/bike/shorts etc... This is up to the individual. Some guys go all out and have the special items to match their jersey. Last year the King of Mountains had a Polka Dot bike at the end of the race. In years past, Lance has gone all out on his ride through the streets of Paris. Floyd Landis will not be on the yellow bike tomorrow.

Each rider has many bikes from their team to ride. You have probably seen the cars loaded with bikes during the race. They sometimes switch bikes due to mechanical problems or other reasons, so they are not always riding the same bike.

Final part of this long post... It is okay to find a slow guy and like him! They even give an award to the last place guy in Paris. I am not sure they want this, but the give a red lantern. Sadly, the last place guys can still kick my butt on any given day. They seem slow, but they are definitely pro cyclists.

[mimitabby]

Thanks Amanda for the explanation.
But i don't think it's sad that the "slow guys" are faster than us! we're not competing in the T d F!

[jobob]

From the tour day schmalz stage 17 report (spoilers within):
http://www.nyvelocity.com/content.php?id=909

Floyd interview from yesterday:
Q:What do you do to deal with this at this point?
FL: Er... I don't know... drink some beers! (laughs) That's what I'm thinking about now!

Excuse me now while I wipe a tear from my eye.

Did anyone not like Floyd after his post race interview yesterday? He was smiling! He was upset but it didn’t crack him, just great. I’m going to have to start stalking him, I think.

[Eden]

Final part of this long post... It is okay to find a slow guy and like him! They even give an award to the last place guy in Paris. I am not sure they want this, but the give a red lantern. Sadly, the last place guys can still kick my butt on any given day. They seem slow, but they are definitely pro cyclists.

Ah - any honor is still an honor - last year the two guys in hot contention for the lantern rouge duked it out in Paris to see who could drop back the furthest on the Champs Elysee.... really! One guy finally gave in and allowed the dubious honor to go to the other man.

but seriously - just to named to a tour team is proof that you have made the top echelons of pro cycling and to finish the tour, even in last place is a huge accomplishment.

[snapdragen]

And don't forget Most Combative rider. They get a red number. Personally, I think a bright red jersey would be cool.