Liquigas-CND wrote:Regarding the number of riders i think it's a must to follow the reality cause the number of riders it's a basic element in my opinion!
Maybe an energy reform should be necessary but we should follow the reality with regards to number of riders/team.
Thank You,
What makes it basic is the question... Compulsory participation in (the old) World Tour races for WT teams is a basic part of the real cycling calendar too. Do you want that too? Or is that not basic enough?
But Rasmussen already showed how much this reality argument is really worth, so let's forget it (for the moment)
As for your original point (you should have stuck with that really)
I actually doubt GC riding for the favorite becomes more difficult with 8 riders. Especially with a rider like Ortiz, in that case I think it would have just become even easier. You have one rider less to control, everybody else has one rider less to attack. With 9 guys easier to "sacrifice" one in an attempt to get you in trouble than with 8. In other situation, less clear ones, yes possible that GC riding with the favorite becomes harder. If that increases the spectacle is unsure though.
It will mostly change sprint races, sprinters, but since we don't have any, we don't care....
Sprinters need more non-tempo helpers AND need to catch a group with just their helpers. A climber needs the same amount of non-temp helpers, but can get the last x minutes (depending on the length of the last climb) by himself. And sprinters need to keep another rider fit too most of the time. Be it a train boy or a flat monster. So less helpers hurts sprinters the most, increases the "spectacle" in sprint races mostly. A Milano Sanremo with 7 riders (which btw of course isn't sure yet in reality) will simulate the race perfectly, I'm sure. And that's the goal, right?