I can't recommend watching this more highly. It is a most fascinating complexity of intricate and inter-related pressures. To get the full benefit, you have to watch a whole stage, or more - highlights don't show the hidden secrets. I'll give just a few pointers apparent so far this tour.
First, the sport is fascinating to watch. Aside from the incredibly sophisticated filming and overall coverage - it must be costing a fortune - the visual landscape is something I really enjoy. From a distance, not much happens, like with cricket or bowls. You get to see some amazing countryside, and those staid people-less towns without the slightest raggy edge anywhere to be seen, and the roofs all the same colour. But when you zero in on the race action, there is constant activity and subtle gamesmanship, with these guys going at it at an incredible pace. I love that juxtaposition of contained tension and exertion with the slow unfolding macro scene.
Then there are the different types of riders. Basically you have sprinters, hill climbers and 'general category', or all-rounders. So there are separate contests within the whole race for each of these types - separate jersey for leaders in each category. But over all this are the teams.
It isn't an individual sport, but not quite a team sport either - somewhere inbetween.
The critical thing is that to be in front is very trying because of the head wind, so they take it in turns to ride point - or they don't, as their strategy dictates. Then teams will cause all kinds of tricky havoc to each other, so any good rider needs support from members of their own team to 'protect' and save the good rider's energy for the final battle of each stage.
You get 'break-aways' who can be from one to dozens of riders who escape the main peloton. Their idea is to get clear of the main group and stay out there to the finish. These riders are not interested in winning the whole race - the 'yellow jersey' - but seek to win a stage, which is a big thing.
So there are riders who simply protect their gun team member, there are those who win sprints, those who vie for stage honours, those who want to win 'king of the mountain' (pokerdot jersey), those who go back to support cars to get food and drinks, and those who fall off and get injured.
If you are at the front of the peloton you are safer from someone falling ahead of you and bringing you down, plus you are ready to make a dash if there is a big attack. But it is easier back in the pack as there is no wind, and you don't have to be a pace maker.
There is the uphill battles where the sprinters are left flagging way behind, and some riders just take off like bullets on the steepest of climbs. Then the downhills which are very fast and dangerous - some riders are expert downhill exponents.
The most fascinating thing for me is to see how winning any stage or sprint has little to do with winning the yellow jersey and the whole race. Those who are contenders for the overall race win have to conserve their energy - the race goes for about three weeks. So these riders have to play a very skilful, consistent and patient game.
Currently the Americans are dominating the peloton, and, along with Lance Armstrong, they have the greatest depth of talent in their team. But there are conflicts among them, as one guy, who doesn't speak English, is a very good rider who thinks he has a chance himself, aside from team tactics. All the other teams are getting pissed off at the American team for dominating the front of the race, like some panzer division, they set the pace and act like they are the winners already - but you have to admit they are very impressive!
Lance is a paragon of stability and determination, but I doubt he has the reserves to pull off the win - nonetheless, he does have the experience and brains, and that counts for a lot.
Of course we are watching our old friend Cadel Evens, who we knew as a kid, and we still know his father (actually foster-father). Cadel is in a Belgium team who don't have the riders to keep up with him and protect him, so as always he is on his own - he used to love Tin-tin as a kid, who was also usually left on his own to solve the case. But he is such a strong contender for the overall race win, that all the other guns watch him like a hawk and won't allow him much room to move. Having no team protection is a serious handicap, which lost him the race last year - he came second. He is one of the highest ranking tour riders over all the tours.
Lastly, I have to say, if you just sit through thirty minutes, you'll be addicted. It is so mesmerising!
There is a huge amount to learn from this, for our own 'race'.
