Tour de France - Stage 15 & Mechanical Failures

When is it ok to take advantage of a competitors mechanical failure?

"My stomach is full of anger, and I want to take my revenge,"  - Andy Schleck from USAtoday.com.  That's what Andy Schleck thinks of those that would capitalize on mechanical failures of others.  On stage 15 of the Tour de France, Andy Schleck was in the overall lead by 30+ seconds as he made a move to attack and put the hurt on the top five competitors in the Tour.  In his aggression, he miss-shifted and threw his chain off the gears.  This window allowed Alberto Contedor to zoom past Schleck and gain valuable seconds up the last climb of stage 15.  Many in professional cycling see this as a dirty move.  Nowhere is it a written rule you must allow a competitor to catch back up after a mechanical problem, but most professionals see if as a breach in etiquette, like Andy Schleck.

Would a triathlete wait for the next competitor in the Midwest Mayhem or Shawnee Mission Park Triathlon?  Would a pro wait in the Kona Ironman?  Probably not.  Multisport races are somewhat different than cycling.  Mechanical failures are a part of the game.  Flat tires, thrown chains, cable failure and the likes are common place in multisport races.  It would not be logistically possible for a racer to wait for a competitor since triathlons and similar types of events are completely based on individual efforts.  Most events do not allow drafting, pacing and do not have coordinated teams like professional cycling.

So get out there and hammer it hard and don't worry if your closest competitor has a flat or a snapped cable.  It's all a part of the game.  Do be aware of those that wreck and need medical attention.  Safety is priority one out there, so be diligent and realistic.

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