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From: Free Thinking Doggie
Grok: Traditional TTT Rules (Pre-2026 Tour Format)Teams of (usually) 8 riders start together and work as a group. The team's official time (for the stage classification and GC) is taken on the 4th rider (sometimes 5th in older rules) to cross the finish line. Riders finishing with or behind that 4th rider get the same team time for GC purposes. This encourages teams to stay together as long as possible — weaker riders get paced, and stronger ones often wait or ease up to keep the group intact. The stage win goes to the team with the fastest 4th-rider time. This format prioritizes team cohesion and minimizes early GC gaps but can limit aggressive riding from top contenders.The 2026 Rule ChangeThe Tour de France adopts a format first trialled by ASO at Paris-Nice (since 2023) and used in other races. en.wikipedia.org Key differences:Individual times for GC: Every rider gets their own actual finishing time at the line, regardless of teammates. No more "waiting for the 4th man." Stage classification: The team stage result (and stage win) is based on the first rider from each team to cross the line. cyclinguptodate.com Teams still start as a unit and can work together (drafting is allowed), but tactics shift dramatically in the finale. In short: The team rides cooperatively for most of the stage, but riders (especially GC contenders) can be launched solo or attack in the closing kilometres (e.g., on the Montjuïc climb) without needing to regroup or wait. cyclinguptodate.com Why the Change and Tactical ImpactMore exciting racing: It turns the finale into a more individual effort, rewarding strong climbers/time trialists and allowing big attacks or lead-out trains that "blow up" domestiques to position their leader. GC implications: Early time gaps between favorites (Pogačar, Vingegaard, Evenepoel, etc.) are more likely, as there's no penalty for dropping teammates. A leader can gain/lose seconds without hurting the team's stage placing. Strategy shift: Teams focus on a high-speed lead-out for their protected rider(s) rather than preserving a group of four. Weaker riders can be dropped earlier. bikeradar.com This is a significant evolution that makes the TTT feel like a hybrid team/individual effort, increasing its importance for the overall standings right from Stage 1. The change has been well-received for adding spectacle while keeping the collaborative element of a TTT.

Current Thread	Author	Time
Vinegar spiced the 🚲 up so perhaps not a Pog procession.	Hamsterwheel	12:13:15
>> The rule changes to the TTT made it all rather confusing. Some teams split up ... [more]	Free Thinking Doggie	15:51:17
>> Grok:...[more]	Free Thinking Doggie	15:55:23
>> I gave up with the live Welsh commentary and watched the highlights	Hamsterwheel	16:19:36

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