On Tue, 20 Jul 2004 14:03:35 -0500, Ron Blancarte
wrote:

snip

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

snip

Thanks for the info.

Does it seem that this competition is basically meaningless? I
understand why the Green Jersey competition exists because, other than
stage wins, a pure sprinter has very little to compete for over the
legnth of the tour. But a pure climber does at least have a chance of
winning the GC (Pantani comes to mind; RIP).