On the other hand, the fact that ProTour teams can't score points in non-ProTour races could very well lead to situations that if they are not racing for the win, then they will sit up. "Probably they won't be racing for the points, because there's no UCI points any more," admitted Sunderland. "Top 20 possibly on the bigger races with a bigger prize purse, but definitely for the smaller races, forget about it. If there's not much money there, the riders aren't going to worry about trying to finish up there. That definitely will have an influence on that part."
The Pro Tour is turning anything outside the PT races into a joke. Tradition says that the teams need to show up, but they have little to no motivation to actually race.
snip
Bill, be sure to read today's Het Volk coverage. There were a number of Pro Tour teams who tried to kill each other on the bike today. Sounded like one of the most animated races in a long time.
I'm not impressed with the Pro Tour idea either but does the lack of points available for Pro Tour team riders in non-Pro Tour races mean that perhaps we will see riders go for the win now rather than playing it safe and knowing that by getting a top 5 placing they are guaranteed some UCI points? This clearly a problem in some previous editions of the Tour of Lombardy when the World Cup title was still on the line. -MIke
On the other hand, the fact that ProTour teams can't score points in non-ProTour races could very well lead to situations that if they are not racing for the win, then they will sit up. "Probably they won't be racing for the points, because there's no UCI points any more," admitted Sunderland. "Top 20 possibly on the bigger races with a bigger prize purse, but definitely for the smaller races, forget about it. If there's not much money there, the riders aren't going to worry about trying to finish up there. That definitely will have an influence on that part."
The Pro Tour is turning anything outside the PT races into a joke. Tradition says that the teams need to show up, but they have little to no motivation to actually race.
snip
Bill, be sure to read today's Het Volk coverage. There were a number of Pro Tour teams who tried to kill each other on the bike today. Sounded like one of the most animated races in a long time.
I'm not impressed with the Pro Tour idea either but does the lack of points available for Pro Tour team riders in non-Pro Tour races mean that perhaps we will see riders go for the win now rather than playing it safe and knowing that by getting a top 5 placing they are guaranteed some UCI points? This clearly a problem in some previous editions of the Tour of Lombardy when the World Cup title was still on the line. -MIke
What it all comes down to is winning races, ProTour or not. How many are tuning in at the end of the season to see the annual "Here's the ProTour winner" TV show? Far fewer that those who watched Het Volk, or will watch K-B-K. TV time, and crossing the line first, are what it's about.
the best thing they did was get rid of the UCI points....there was too many races with points and it was just a mad chase for points. it was ridulous to have races in january count for anything. Now they will be the training races they really are. it will be naive to think specialization will be eliminated, but now at least all of the top teams will be focused on the same races.
The only thing i object ot is the race selection..way too many stage races and how can you have a protour without Het Volk??
Bill, be sure to read today's Het Volk coverage. There were a number of
Pro
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Tour teams who tried to kill each other on the bike today. Sounded like
one
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of the most animated races in a long time.
The Italian teams were completely absent because of the PT calendar.
But more than the lack of points for PT teams , is the lack op space for PT teams a problem. Even if they wanna come, they're not sure of getting a spot. In continental races, only half the teams are allowed to be PT. Now, this is a serious problem for the races in preparation for the april monuments, beacuse there all PT teams want to come to let their classics core prepare in earnest. Now Harelbeke and Brabanste Pijl will only have 10 or 11 PT teams, organisers have to pick. And comply with a weaker field than usual.
Even the Spanish PT teams applied for De Panne this year, to give the riders a proper tuning in. But there's no space.
