Krusty used 100% recycled electrons to write:
I've searched www.letour.fr for the climber points to be awarded for
each stage but cannot find them except by reviewing the results from
those stages that have already been run. Can somebody direct me to a
site that provides this info for future stages?
Specifically, I'd like to know if it is possible for Armstrong or
Basso (even though I know they won't make an active attempt to do so)
to win this competition.
Kind of a pain in the butt to find on their site. You have to go to
the rules section, then click on the full rules. I posted them below
for you, after some information:
The top 5 in the KOM is this:
1 VIRENQUE Richard FRA QSD 177 pts
2 ARMSTRONG Lance USA USP 102 pts -75
3 RASMUSSEN Mickael DEN RAB 95 pts -82
4 BASSO Ivan ITA CSC 91 pts -86
5 MOREAU Christophe FRA C.A 78 pts -99
The rest of the way, there are the following climbs left (in order)
Stage 16 - HC*
Stage 17 - 1, HC, 2, 1, 1
Stage 18 - 4, 2, 3, 3, 4
Stage 20 - 4
* denotes double points for mountain finish
If you read the rules on number of points distributed, the answer is
yes for the top 4 riders, but it would be difficult. First, Virenque
has a sizeable lead. To make a legitimate run at him, these guys need
to hope he doesn't make the top 10 in Stage 16 and secure any points
for that climb, they would also have to take a top 3 spot to make up
significant ground. Then they would have to really push on stage 17
to gain ground on the first two climbs and then drop him for the last
two. Even then, Virenque could get some points.
When you consider that max points for winning the rest of the climbs
is 145, the max Lance could get would be 247, the only thing that
Virenque needs is 71 points, not that many especially when you realize
that Lance is not going to make much of a push for these points, thus
making this magic number drop VERY quickly.
Baring a major shift in goals by Basso and Armstrong, the KOM race
will be over after Thursday (if it is not effectively over already),
probably after the 2nd climb that day.
RonB
Here are the rules for points distribution:
C) GENERAL BEST CLIMBER RANKING
(art. 2.6.016 bis)
The general best climber ranking is established by adding up the
points won on all passes and hills, according to the following tables:
•“Non-graded” passes: 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 7, 6 and 5 points
respectively for the first 10 riders to finish.
•Category 1 passes: 15, 13, 11, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5 points respectively
for the first 8 riders to finish.
•Category 2 passes: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5 points respectively for the
first 6 riders to finish.
The points awarded for category “non-graded”, 1 and 2 passes are
doubled for the final pass of the stage.
•Category 3 passes: 4, 3, 2 and 1 point respectively for the first 4
riders to finish;
•Category 4 passes: 3, 2 and 1 point respectively for the first 3
riders to finish.
In the event of a tie between two riders in the general best climber
ranking, the rider with the most first places at non-graded pass
summits is declared the winner. If the riders concerned are still
tied, then the first places achieved in category 1 passes will be used
to determine the winner. Failing that, the first places achieved at
the summits of category 2, category 3 or category 4 passes will be
taken; as a last resort, the final general time ranking will be used.
Riders must finish the Tour de France in order to appear in the
general best climber ranking.
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"It is human nature to take shortcuts in thinking"
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