Versus Wants Your Opinion of the Tour

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 12, 2008 4:07 PM EST in News

Versus is running a poll asking readers their opinions of the Tour de France. It's not especially easy to locate, which means they are probably hearing primarily from cycling fans, but since we're part of their base, I figure they should hear from us. It's a chance to let them know how important the race is, and some of the questions are pretty thoughtful. Click on the graphic to get redirected to the survey.

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Versus also carrying TDU highlights

30 minutes each night. It’s a start although the TDU is perfectly in prime time in the US so I would have loved to been able to see full coverage. Maybe cycling tv but I doubt it.

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 12, 2008 4:20 PM EST reply actions

looks like vs gets the 30 min highlight instead of ctv this year

"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind

by umwolverine on Dec 12, 2008 6:20 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah I guess ctv won't get to show TDU in the US now

I know they only had highlights last year but I had some hope left that they would be showing it live this year, with Lance coming back and all.

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 12, 2008 6:32 PM EST up reply actions

Okay this one is making me do some thinking.

Do you consider the Tour De France to be an individual competitive sport or a team sport?
Individual
Team

It’s a lone rider that has to have the ability to take it to the end each day.
Not having a good team can be a huge disadvantage. Yet a good team won’t help if the rider themselves lacks the ability. Yet teamwork can be KEY to setting things up for that rider. But then again if a rider is at that top level, they could/have been able to do with out a strong team. Back and forth I go.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Dec 12, 2008 4:24 PM EST reply actions

Ask Cadel that question

he might have an answer.

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 12, 2008 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

You need to watch this years Tour again. Problem solved.

Carlos Sastre - Tour de France winner - Born From Jets

by Jens on Dec 12, 2008 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah see - that's my issue.

I see CSC kicking ass and Sastre benefiting from that. Yet I see Cadel on a team that sucked (in help for him) and it’s not like he didn’t do alright. Two guys at the top – one with a team (making me say totally a team) and one with out (individual). In general I’m going with team as I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the work setting up the endings so much of us are glued too.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Dec 12, 2008 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah but I would say that Cadel hasn't won these last two years because of his team

imagine if he would have been on CSC and Sastre on Lotto. Evans would have been stronger in the mountains, and Sastre wouldn’t have had as much energy on the Alpe to do what he did. Evans could have won the Tour by 2-3 minutes had he and Sastre switched places IMO.

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 12, 2008 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

what Phil said

it’s a team event to me which makes Cadel’s achievements a standout.

by nicknorco on Dec 13, 2008 10:00 AM EST up reply actions

As an individual

you can get pretty far. But there are too many individuals in the same position, which is why teamwork usually wins the day.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 12, 2008 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

I think cycling is team but most tour casual fans I doubt would see it that way.

Unless you know about and watch tactics (CSC this year is a prime example) of setting things up there are a lot of arguments for individual. But I very much agree its a strong team that will help finalize the finish, or take it away if its not your team.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Dec 12, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

imagine the day when ear radios aren't allowed. Team will be immensely more important.

by ZoeRochelle on Dec 12, 2008 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

CVV succeeded this year because he was a team leader.

He always had considerable talent but always used it to help others. With a team working for him it allowed him to focus on what was happening at the very front of the race. Ask him and you will get your answer.

Speed on the descent can easily be lost when you slam into a tree.

by flying dog on Dec 13, 2008 8:51 AM EST up reply actions

Being from Chicago, you should look at this mans views on Team vs Individual

It’s about baseball but you get the general idea.

Carlos Sastre - Tour de France winner - Born From Jets

by Jens on Dec 12, 2008 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

Man I like that movie. I might need to rewatch that over the weekend. :-)

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Dec 12, 2008 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

Lance

hmm nice set of choices here

*
1. When competing in the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong represents: (please choose the phrase below that best completes this thought for you)
When competing in the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong represents: (please choose the phrase below that best completes this thought for you) The best American riders competing in the Tour de France against the world
The awe inspiring athletes that take on the most grueling challenge and perform at a level that only the Tour de France could demand
Pure, raw athleticism and determination that makes other mainstream athletes seem less worthy
One of the most strategic team players in professional sports
Cyclists who are clean and racing the hard way
Tradition and historic victory that allows America to take ownership and pride in this international event

by bryan_e on Dec 12, 2008 4:28 PM EST reply actions

huh.

Do they accept write-in votes?

by Jen See on Dec 12, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

I really liked that one...

was that #16? There was another good one.

by Christopher See on Dec 12, 2008 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

Yes.

I profoundly resented that I couldn’t skip it.

by Jen See on Dec 12, 2008 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

me too

so i picked the last answer…

by nicknorco on Dec 13, 2008 10:01 AM EST up reply actions

i'm glad i'm not the only one who did that

the question completely pissed me off

Today, I raced à la Chavanel, and I succeeded.

by callmecayce on Dec 13, 2008 1:35 PM EST up reply actions

I went with "strategic team player."

Well, more like team enforcer. And I’m not sure it makes me happy. But he is a strategist, and one can only hope he’ll be a team player, if it comes to that.

by JFS_PGH on Dec 15, 2008 5:59 AM EST up reply actions