Every July my attention gets drawn to one of the greatest sporting events any true sports fan would appreciate. There are no countries involved and it is exciting to watch if you understand the dynamic of it.
I am referring to the Tour De France and the 3 week challenges it has inside it. I view it is as chess played on bicycles with players sitting in the team car (the director sportif) being the decision makers. The other reason I enjoy the Tour is that has different disciplines that need to be done on a reasonable standard to be the overall winner.
They celebrate the success of the various leaders i.e. the overall leader (in the yellow jersey), the best young rider (in the white jersey), sprint leader (in the green jersey) and the leader o f the king of the mountains (in the red polka dot jersey).
Also it has teams that operate in the way in which leadership is clearly defined ie. one leader and many helpers “domestiques”. I think there is a lot business can learn from it.
1. Strategy and planning
2. Leadership
3. Communication
However the real other story is Lance Armstrong and his return from a 3 year retirement. He is back to get his charity Livestrong back in the world’s eye. I am not ashamed to state that I wear a Livestrong bangle and as a chronic sufferer, he gives me hope. Even if he does not win an Tour De France he is still an inspiration to many and a symbol of hope to cancer patients worldwide.
Leslie on March 7, 2010
Your point about communication may be more difficult this year. Tour organizers are debating a radio ban. USA Cycling already has banned race radios during domestic events in the USA.
hendrik on March 7, 2010
Indeed but the lack radios for the teams will lead to more spontaneous racing but could lead to a massive accidents as well. Professional cycling is dangerous just through the size of the peloton but the radio ban does not make sense.