Jan wrote two days ago:
"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."
I'm puzzled here, where did you write anything about his commercial concerns being at the base of Desgranges switch to national team? I wasn't able to find any such claim. There is therefore no similarity whatsoever between what you wrote and what I wrote, as this was the foundation of what I wrote. The Tour was a business venture and ego-trip for Desgranges, bless his soul! The same exact conditions that later encouraged the launch of the Giro. These were not gestures from the heart or to support a passion for the sport. I can only heartily thanks these people for recognizing that there was a way to develop a successful business plan for such events. You furthermore stated, as a stand-alone thought, that Desgranges was encouraged to institute National teams to break the hegemony of the trade team tactics, in particular the 1929 Alcyon team. This is also not true, as Desgranges would have been more than happy with a conitnuation of the trade teams and their tactics if he could have assured the French winner he needed for his economic bottom line. You also go on to describe in detail how the French national team went on to use team tactics to their own advantage, so I must firmly question your statement of "little contradiction in what you wrote and what I wrote".
Jan went on to quote my earlier post: "The winning time gap in 1929 of the first over the second was close to 45 minutes. In 1930, the gap was 14 minutes."
responding:
"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?"
In the late 20's and early 30's, nobody was watching anything more than the briefest of glimpses of the race. All suspense was derived from the written and spoken reports of the day's happenings. If you read the reports, you will see just as much suspense injected into the 45 minute win as in the 14 minute win. As I also previously pointed out, in 1929 there were 8 riders who wore yellow as opposed to 3 in the 1930 edition. This is in itself gives more immediacy of thrill than the number of minutes between the riders. Lastly, losing 45 minutes in one stage was at the time in no way unheard of, so it was just as likely to get the last-minute upset in 1929 as in 1930. Just think that, as I already mentioned, Pélissier was on the podium in virtually every stage and nonetheless finished over an hour back of the eventual winner. How could he have finished back so far with only 3 non-podium finishes?
"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?"
I am a huge supporter of anybody helping the spread of history and lore of vintage bicycles. I have therefore recommended your publication to numerous neophytes as the perfect way to gain passion for our common interest. I will continue to do so. Having said that, beyond the first 4 editions that you sent to me instead of money that you owed me, I have not read any further editions of your publication as I must admit to having been underwhelmed. I would furthermore prefer to let words speak in an open and free medium, where true debate is possible. Wheras, when I write something here, anybody with more information can immediately jump in and supply an immediate correction or completion, this is not possible with print media. This 'defect' is further compounded in the case of any publication being guided by one or a small group of idealists, as the sole decision whether to accept corrections or comments is solely in the hand of those people. Lastly, as in this exchange, you have continuosly shown a tendency to downplay any views that are contrary to your own and have often refused to accept anybody else's however well-founded ideas, I therefore find little personal inclination or attraction to be part of it.
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ
USA