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It's a subjective thing that can't really be viewed in terms of how fast people go, it's about effort, and intention, I think it was on the south downs double website that I read a thing that sums it up:
"the idea of this is to ride the route as fast as you can"
If as fast as you can is 31 days for whatever reason, 100% good on you, and well done, but, if you do it in 31 days cause you're chilling, partying whatever, treating it like a cycle tour, then you've done a bit of a disservice to the race, as that spot could have been taken by someone who treated it as a race.
zooeyzooey
ewanmac
Where do you draw the line?
The Italians have ridden the TCR at least twice before. They clearly enjoyed being part of it and were capable riders who decided, it seems, that for once they would take in the view. Yes they could have ridden independently but they have supported the race from the beginning and so why should they not continue to be part of it? It the event, they did a huge service by helping Min over the line.
Slow riders are not necessarily inappropriate either. A number set out to ride faster but found that, for one reason or another, if they were to get tot the end, they needed to slow down. Last year David Coulon, (@UberHero ) took 31 days because he suffered dibilitating pain but determined to finish. Does this make him less worthy than someone who encountered the same pain but scratched?
His case is one in point. Do you say that unless people can show capability to complete the course in, say, 12 days, they cannot do it? Or do you make it 14 days? Or 16?
The way the entry is organised in favour of those who have ridden before and allowing riders like @hippy immediate entrance, seems to work. It gives a balance between strong and less strong. It ensures there is a race at the front and still excitment beyond it.
I suppose that one could limit entrance only to those who are really competing to win but that would exclude 90% of the riders.
As for Min, by riding from Germany to Taiwan two years ago, she had proved her ability. She took a long time but was more inspirational in doing so than some of the machines at the front. She also finished in 101st position, and in doing so, beat a lot of very taleneted riders who abandoned.