Mark Cavendish was robbed of his win on stage 6 of the Tour of California, plain and simple. Yes, he received some help from his team car when he crashed in the final 10km's, but anyone who has ridden in the pro peloton knows how hard it is to move up, not only through the peloton, but also through all the team cars in the final few km's of a race, especially when everybody is going 35+mph.
This isn't a case of a rider hanging onto a car door and getting towed right back up to the front of the field. Far from that. Look at the photo. Cavendish is lying on the ground after crashing, lucky that the whole field didn't run him over and put him in a hospital bed.
After the crash, Cavendish was probably 15-30 seconds behind the field and yes, he probably got significant help getting back to the tail end of the race caravan from his team car. But, that sort of practice is totally OK in Europe in pro racing because just regaining the back of the caravan after a crash is viewed as"righting a wrong". A crash is viewed as an unfortunate circumstance and pacing back on is just the way to reverse the circumstance.
Once Cavendish regained the caravan, he had to work his way back to the peloton past 30 or so team cars. When he got to the back of the peloton after risking his life amongst the cars, he just had to work his way past 100+ racers all going wheel to wheel at 35+mph to end up at the front. Simply done, you say. Not!
So, this wasn't a case of Cavendish getting a free ride to the line from his team car. Far from it. He had to pick himself up, sort himself out, work his way through 30+ cars and 100+ riders going flat out. That's what sprinters do and that's what Cavendish did. Taking the win away from the plucky Brit is like taking Muhamed Ali's heavyweight crown away from him for fighting. It was a great win under the most difficult of circumstances. The sprinters are the showmen of our sport. Let them demonstrate why it takes a bit of madness, a bit of luck and a bit of savvy to win the bunch kick. We love it!
Bruce
Active Expert: Bruce Hildenbrand
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Mar 3, 2008 10:30 AM
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Bruce Hildenbrand
Bruce Hildenbrand
The problem I had with the decision is that in Europe they allow pacing back on after a crash. Sometimes the pacing is just too blatant and the officials slap on a penalty, but many times, they realize a crash is an unfortunate circumstance and they look the other way. I was there in Santa Clarita and talked with Cavendish just after the finish (you can watch it on www.worldcycling.tv) and it did not seem to me, given the circumstances, that Mark gained an advantage. Obviously, the officials and you felt otherwise.
Now if Cavendish had been named Leipheimer...........
Bruce
Quel Crappe!
It is called bike racing and it has rules. They are the same rules that cost George the US Pro championship when he drafted back after a flat. Stuff happens and the officials made the right call. There are ways that are tolerated and ways that are not. Drafting to the back of the peloton is not.
I wouldn't want to be on the jury that had to listen to the protests of the 15 team managers who watched such open disregard of the rules.
The right way to do it: In 2004 or 5 Freddie Rodriguez crashed and broke his bike just past the finish line with 1 to go. He grabbed another bike from his team car and began chasing with a bike that was not adjusted to him. From the point of the crash to the area of near Bay & Van Ness (about 3 KM) he was glued to his team car as his mechanic made constant adjustments to his bike which included the climb up Broadway. No foul was called because his team car never tried to gain on his two team mates who were pedaling on their own power ahead of it. He went on to finish 2nd on the day in what was one of the greatest rides I've ever seen.
From my TV I knew how Mr. Cavendish got to be at that finish and was not surprised about his relegation. BTW, Mario was yelling at him at the finish which I believe was because he knew that to draft back and then sprint for the win was not the sporting thing to do and would generate needless controversy.
Bottom line, this was a long road race not a 1K sprint. What you do for the entire race is what counts, not what you did in just the final 1 or 2 Km. A road race is more than final sprint.
Mr. Cavendish will have many more opportunities to show his stuff. Hopefully, like the more senior sprinters who have already been there, he'll lean that sometime you just need to wait for another day.