Virtual TDF. Crazy? Interesting?

[weeksy]

Just watching stage 1 of the virtual tour de France on Zwift via Eurosport coverage.

Obviously being a Zwifter I absolutely get the virtual racing thing so enjoy watching it. But interesting to ask if other people who watch cycling can get their heads round it?
The power being laid down by the pro ladies is mighty impressive!!

[rusty]

I'm a cyclist.

I watch cycling.

I've used Zwift in the past.

I can't think of anything worse than watching people compete in a Zwift race.

I'd rather go out and ride my bike, or read a book, or pretty much anything else!

[Couchy]

It’s not cycling and it’s not racing as they have power ups. There’s no riding skill involved so I don’t get it, although tbh is there any riding skill in road cycling anyway when fitness dictates the speed not the bikes limit ?

[weeksy]

It’s not cycling and it’s not racing as they have power ups. There’s no riding skill involved so I don’t get it, although tbh is there any riding skill in road cycling anyway when fitness dictates the speed not the bikes limit ?

But you wouldn't watch the Tour anyway?

Skill, try telling that to the blokes doing 70mph down an alpine pass.

[rusty]

I reckon there's plenty of skill involved in road racing at the top level. Stupid fast Alpine descents, bunch riding at 30mph+ in crosswinds, positioning and not wiping out in sprints. None of it is easy.

It's like suggesting there's no skill involved in MotoGP but there is in Motocross or suchlike.

Despite that, it's definitely not proper racing though. It's more like a spin class with added bells and whistles.

[Couchy]

It’s not cycling and it’s not racing as they have power ups. There’s no riding skill involved so I don’t get it, although tbh is there any riding skill in road cycling anyway when fitness dictates the speed not the bikes limit ?

But you wouldn't watch the Tour anyway?

Skill, try telling that to the blokes doing 70mph down an alpine pass.

Whenever I’ve watched it they all sit together, are you saying if one of them is a better rider they will pull away ? It seems it’s a pure physical contest that just happens to be on bikes. Unlike say a downhill mtb race that is a sport where the skills of the rider are more important

[weeksy]

They will and often do yes on ability downhill.

Vincenzo Nibali for example on multiple descents. Sure a lot of it is power, but there's different power, climb, flat, sprint. All are massively different in rider profiles and styles, but all equally impressive in their own way.

DH is a long way from just being skill too, fitness and strength are arguably more important

[Couchy]

So on the TDF can a more skilled bike rider with less fitness win ?

[weeksy]

So on the TDF can a more skilled bike rider with less fitness win ?

Not the overall event, but certainly some days.

[Couchy]

So on the TDF can a more skilled bike rider with less fitness win ?

Not the overall event, but certainly some days.

There’s no doubt skill is involved but as a sport on the whole it’s a fitness event which for me is why I don’t watch it, I want to see riders using skill to win and see the actual bike control whether that be a cycle or a powered bike.
As for zwift it has power ups so it’s just a game and not a sport, great for fitness obviously