02-17-2022, 11:04 PM
Okay, let me have it; but I speak from experience and having done what I am about to suggest.
Froome has stated that TT bikes are less safe (essentially and primarily during training) and are less fair (not really if everyone can use them). Also, he wants to eliminate the need to race on gravel and cobbled surfaces.
I'll get to the racing surface first. I believe it is called road (definition: "a wide way leading from one place to another, especially one with a specially prepared surface which vehicles can use." Sounds like gravel ROADS, and cobbled ROADS fit the definition easily; no mention of safely or quickly!) racing so if performed on roads then there is no compromise as to the road's surface. If it is not what you consider a proper surface to race on then do not enter that event. You also have the option of going slow enough to traverse that specific surface and/or choose equipment that provides the best means to traverse that surface which brings me to my next point.
This would be what I call the "Tin Cup" practice of road racing. If you saw the movie, the protagonist resorts to using a 7 iron club to play a round of golf having already busted (intentionally) all of his other clubs.
I have raced on a single bicycle without changing gears ratios (front or rear) tire types or widths to complete any and every type of road racing event (climbing, gravel, cobbles, criteriums, cross, TT); that includes everything: saddles, handlebar, pedals, etc. Of course no SAG wagon so I'm carrying tubes/tires, and nourishment to boot (gee, sounds like early days of road racing). I believe that any road racing event should require the cyclist to use the same equipment (except to replace a damaged tube/tire, rim, component, and or frame with same) throughout and entire race, be it a one day or stage event. Sorry, but it you aren't trained to the conditions than you should not be able to choose a different piece of equipment be gearing, geometry, tires, etc. You can only change out damaged equipment. Isn't it enough that "professional" racers are coddled as it is. It you are properly trained to use your equipment and make the most intelligent choice as to what equipment will serve you best given the circumstances then I see that as a true level of professional knowledge. You adapt your equipment choice to take advantage of your strengths while at the same time trying to keep loss from your weaknesses to a minimum. That is something you have to do anyways even when you are able to tailor your equipment to a specific stage or racing surface; but without be able to do that you have to be much more broad minded in your thinking about your equipment and also your training surrounding those choices.
Maybe there could be an event where that is a mandatory rule. Let's just make it a 3 to 5 day event with sufficient level terrain and hills to include some gravel conditions, and one day of TT; but all on the same bike. If some amateur fool like myself could do it for no reward other than pride and passion, I would think a few pros would do it for the challenge to truthfully compare themselves to each other based on the knowledge of overall equipment needs and training to meet those needs, as well as earning some cash on the side. To me, old time racers from the 20s and earlier have a lot more to brag about than do 'modern' racers. I would love to have seen what they could have done on a modern bike; even one only 40 to 50 years removed from their heyday, nevermind the carbon frames with 100 gears of the past couple decades (remember when a "10 speed" road bike was called that based on front and rear gears?). Let the "Tin Cup Cycling Showdown" commence! As a note: I still think there should be a professional "drag" racing event; either as part of a stage race, or as its own 1 to 2 day event. Straight road, not track; 4 to 8 racers side by side for 500 meters, with top half moving to the next heat (or do they already have this for a road event?).
Froome has stated that TT bikes are less safe (essentially and primarily during training) and are less fair (not really if everyone can use them). Also, he wants to eliminate the need to race on gravel and cobbled surfaces.
I'll get to the racing surface first. I believe it is called road (definition: "a wide way leading from one place to another, especially one with a specially prepared surface which vehicles can use." Sounds like gravel ROADS, and cobbled ROADS fit the definition easily; no mention of safely or quickly!) racing so if performed on roads then there is no compromise as to the road's surface. If it is not what you consider a proper surface to race on then do not enter that event. You also have the option of going slow enough to traverse that specific surface and/or choose equipment that provides the best means to traverse that surface which brings me to my next point.
This would be what I call the "Tin Cup" practice of road racing. If you saw the movie, the protagonist resorts to using a 7 iron club to play a round of golf having already busted (intentionally) all of his other clubs.
I have raced on a single bicycle without changing gears ratios (front or rear) tire types or widths to complete any and every type of road racing event (climbing, gravel, cobbles, criteriums, cross, TT); that includes everything: saddles, handlebar, pedals, etc. Of course no SAG wagon so I'm carrying tubes/tires, and nourishment to boot (gee, sounds like early days of road racing). I believe that any road racing event should require the cyclist to use the same equipment (except to replace a damaged tube/tire, rim, component, and or frame with same) throughout and entire race, be it a one day or stage event. Sorry, but it you aren't trained to the conditions than you should not be able to choose a different piece of equipment be gearing, geometry, tires, etc. You can only change out damaged equipment. Isn't it enough that "professional" racers are coddled as it is. It you are properly trained to use your equipment and make the most intelligent choice as to what equipment will serve you best given the circumstances then I see that as a true level of professional knowledge. You adapt your equipment choice to take advantage of your strengths while at the same time trying to keep loss from your weaknesses to a minimum. That is something you have to do anyways even when you are able to tailor your equipment to a specific stage or racing surface; but without be able to do that you have to be much more broad minded in your thinking about your equipment and also your training surrounding those choices.
Maybe there could be an event where that is a mandatory rule. Let's just make it a 3 to 5 day event with sufficient level terrain and hills to include some gravel conditions, and one day of TT; but all on the same bike. If some amateur fool like myself could do it for no reward other than pride and passion, I would think a few pros would do it for the challenge to truthfully compare themselves to each other based on the knowledge of overall equipment needs and training to meet those needs, as well as earning some cash on the side. To me, old time racers from the 20s and earlier have a lot more to brag about than do 'modern' racers. I would love to have seen what they could have done on a modern bike; even one only 40 to 50 years removed from their heyday, nevermind the carbon frames with 100 gears of the past couple decades (remember when a "10 speed" road bike was called that based on front and rear gears?). Let the "Tin Cup Cycling Showdown" commence! As a note: I still think there should be a professional "drag" racing event; either as part of a stage race, or as its own 1 to 2 day event. Straight road, not track; 4 to 8 racers side by side for 500 meters, with top half moving to the next heat (or do they already have this for a road event?).
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