It is a problem which has reared its head before at a Grand Tour, most recently the opening stage of the 2013 Tour de France. When the Orica-GreenEDGE bus got stuck under the finishing banner, causing mayhem in the bunch and a huge crash, organisers sensibly took the decision to neutralise the general classification, giving all riders the same time. It was the correct thing to do, given the effect it could have had on some of the GC contenders had they found themselves already having to make up time through entirely avoidable circumstances.

But where the GC men benefitted, the sprinters who missed out on the final bunch kick were short-changed, with points still awarded accordingly at the finish line.

I’d love an explanation from @UCI_cycling as to why time was neutralised on yesterday’s stage, but not points. Were only GC riders affected?

— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) June 30, 2013

Mark Cavendish was among the riders to publically voice his disagreement at the decision, and though Peter Sagan’s domination of the points classification meant it did not matter in the end, it was still a valid point to be made. Yet now, ten months down the line, the sprinters are being short-changed again. Where the GC men only had to finish the penultimate lap in the bunch to ensure they did not lose time, the sprinters had to contest the intermediate sprint and the finale if they wanted to maintain their points challenge.

That’s bullshit!!! Why do all the sprinters have to risk it and not the GC guys. Thanks. pic.twitter.com/ig81sByZPK

— Ben Swift (@swiftybswift) May 13, 2014

 

Team Sky’s Ben Swift was the biggest loser, caught up in a crash and seeing his unexpected points lead – which came as a result of Marcel Kittel’s withdrawal – wiped out before he had even got to try on the maglia rosso.

Is it right to only neutralise one classification in the circumstances? There will be plenty of fast men who think not.