Re: [CR]c. 1929/30 FONTAN BICYCLE OF PAU (TOUR DE FRANCE)

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In-Reply-To: <017f01c70497$0c736390$0200a8c0@HPLAPTOP>
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Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:28:17 -0800
To: "The Maaslands" <TheMaaslands@comcast.net>, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Jan Heine" <heine94@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]c. 1929/30 FONTAN BICYCLE OF PAU (TOUR DE FRANCE)


Steven,

Thank you for adding insight into the reasons for going to the National Team formula. It appears that there is little contradiction between what you wrote and what I wrote.
>1929 was especially bad as Desgranges
>had built up Charles PĂ©lissier as the supposed heir apparent to Tour
>domination and he sputtered badly (finishing 28th). In fact the
>best-placed Frenchman was Magne in 7th place, among the very worst
>results for French riders ever.

Indeed.
>If you limit yourself to looking at the French press this might appear
>to be true, but the results point to the contrary, as do Italian and
>Dutch reports that I have read.

As you pointed out, to Desgrange, it mattered what the French were thinking. That was his market.
>The winning time gap in 1929 of the
>first over the second was close to 45 minutes. In 1930, the gap was 14 minutes.

Do you really believe that a race with a 45-minute gap between first and second is more interesting to watch than one where the second-placed rider still stands a chance of an upset victory?

Steven, I get the feeling that you are trying to prove that I am an idiot. Wouldn't it be nicer if you'd just put your considerable knowledge to use, and write a few good articles for Bicycle Quarterly? -- Jan Heine Editor Bicycle Quarterly 140 Lakeside Ave #C Seattle WA 98122 http://www.bikequarterly.com