We moved that conversation here: Tour de France 2021 - Speculation and Gossip
Depends on how you view the green jersey……it was originally conceived as a prize for the most consistent finisher - the rider who finished near the front of the pack everyday. Hence the reason there are green jersey points available, even on mountain stages. The long defunct red jersey was the jersey for intermediate sprints.
Over the years, it has morphed into a “sprinter’s jersey”, but the overall concept is basically the same, just mixed in a bit with the intermediate sprints.
Overall, I think the system works fine….but they need to settle on what they want the jersey to represent. I prefer it so that the points are weighted towards the finish of the stage so it is truer to the idea of the most consistent finisher.
In my mind there’s gotta be some balance to the distribution as well. Part of their role is to make the middle of the race more interesting by giving motivation to attack when there otherwise wouldn’t be much incentive to do so. If all the points are at the end, then it’s just another GC battle (so what’s the point for anyone else?) and the stages will be boring until the final 10 km.
I think the Polka dots jersey as it stands now is fine if they just frame it as a different thing and not “the best climber.” Like keep the system but call it something else and still keep the animation in the race. I’ve got no clue what to call it though.
How about points given for the biggest gaps created at the front of race anytime during each stage. A kind of “breakaway jersey” if you will. It would keep that uncertainty around whether they are going for points or the stage win or both. We finally have the technology for it.
Could you please please start a new thread with your highly scientific Bike Calculator ‘I’m certain he’s doping’ posts.
There’s plenty of people you can engage with on Reddit.
We were talking about the race.
A little late the party, huh?
Oh yes I think that would be a good idea.
You have two scenarios with the current system. Either the Overall winner snatches it basically accidentally. Or not the best climber gets it.
But that the jersey exists is still great. It adds some live to the earlier parts of a mountain stage. It´s also why you often get such big breakaways. People who want to go for the stage. Some sprinters for the first intermediate sprint (and some time in the bank to loose on the climbs) and the polka-dot contestants.
Overall their is always this issue, that there are so many different competitions in one race. Sometimes with awkward overlap, like GC teams fighting for front positions in sprint stages.
But it´s also what makes it exciting. Not saying we shouldn´t change anything, but it´s also quite exciting as it is.
Have you heard of the “90 gr. of carbs” per hour crowd? I guess that if they get 90 grams per hour, every hour (even when they are riding relaxed), they can just about keep from bonking, then there are the meals. 90 grams per hour on a 5 hour stage would be about 1700 calories consumed during the stage.
Sums up my feelings nicely. Gotta be a pity to watch the amazing performances we’ve seen this year and not be excited. I’m just happy to be able to watch and experience an awesome talent .
That sounds like so little. According to Strava Thomas de Gendt burned just over 5000 kcal on yesterdays stage. that leaves him with a deficit of 3000-3500 kcal. Truly bananas what the body is capable of.
That’s just GC with extra steps.
You sound like you’re fun at parties.
Nope, just people who like to enjoy sport rather than have everything ruined by unfounded skepticism.
Sorry people. but would you mind moving this discussion to the other thread? Much appreciated 
There is a new discussion thread for this.
Please discuss this here 
I was a few days back. Glad we can clean this thread up a bit.
I quite enjoy watching cycling, thanks.
I think you got it exactly backwards, as evidenced by the multiple sprinters that can’t finish a stage on time or need 2 team mates to pace them so they can barely make the time cut.
That being said, I do agree that being able to race multiple disciplines is more fun.
Let´s not forget That Pog won Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Bernal got 3rd in Strade Bianche. The times of hyperfocus on GC (ala Froome) seem to be over!