Dominic Richens wrote:

asqui wrote:


Question One:



There are usually several cars per team, each capable of supporting the
leader, and otherwise dividing up the other riders between them. Together
they are capable of carrying at least one spare bike per team member. What
is more interesting is the Mavic neutral support bikes! Better be using
Look or SPD-style cleats!

The leader will only take a team members bike during certain critical times
in a race/stage, such as within 10km of the finish when there is no room
left to make up a deficit. So small differences in bike setup will hinder
the leader's time less than hanging around waiting for the team car to wade
through the "yard-sale". Sometimes domestiques will have quick-releases or
an alankey for the seat post.



Question Two:

Presumably the best position in the peloton would be a couple of rows
back from the front so that you get the full aerodynamic advantage of
the riders in front, and are still close enough to pop out of the
front when the time comes. Riding at the very front seems like a
sucicde mission because you are burning youreslf out for the benefit
of those behind you.

So why would anybody want to lead the peloton?



uh, because everyone can't be a couple of rows back. Typically the riders
at the front are the domestiques of the team that stands the most to lose by
the breakaway succeeding (i.e. the sprinters' team, the GC leader who is
about the lose the yellow jersey to someone in the breakaway, etc...)



Question Three:
Have there ever been any female participants in the tour,



no.



and why are there so few (if any)?



there are lots of female cyclists, they have their own Tour de France
Feminin. Canadian women in particular seem to kick butt...

--
Dominic Richens |
"If you're not *outraged*, you're not paying attention!"




It'officially called La Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale below a
link to a French page where you find al stages and roadmap for 2003.

http://www.velo-feminin.com/guide.php3?id_rubrique=80



Peter.* *