Quote Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama
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.