I'm amazed people {likely europeans} gets all bent out of shape when people {likely americans} say the Tour is where almost all the GC guys peak for with most teams. I said this earlier this week, Americans aren't saying the Tour is the end all be all of cycling. How most the top GC guys prepare for a season shows how important the Tour is. I always assumed that was the acceptable case in cycling, where the top GC guys were always priming for the Tour, and yes would race other key races, but *always* with an eye to the Tour. Again that wasn't taking away from other great races, just that cycling itself plays up the Tour, not some american tv. How GC teams prepare their teams, their rosters, etc. And yes there are the classic teams that will likely forgo a GC guy for a sprinter guy at times, or there will be an italian who only dreams about the Giro.

How many times did Contador do the Giro and yet the talk would always include if it would let him do the 'double'. OR how many riders do the Vuelta, only AFTER a shitty TOUR. i've never heard a top GC guy 'oh yeah mate, i'm just riding this tour as a warm up for the vuelta'. Yes they'll double back, but it seems only after a disappointing exit at Tour.

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Brooks Doughtie, M.S.
Exercise Physiology
-USAT Level II