What are the roles of team members in the tour de france?

Answer 1

There'd be one or two star riders, and the rest will be support riders.

The task of the support riders is to make the race as easy as possible for the star rider(s) until he is in a good position to do his thing.

If a team's star rider is a sprinter, the rest of the team is responsible for keeping him out of the wind and deliver him fit and rested to a good spot to start the sprint from.

The same goes if it's a good mountain rider.

If the star rider is a generally good rider, then the support riders can be used to chase down any breakaway riders. It's possible to win the overall title w/o winning any stages, as long as there are always different riders in the top position.

Another task for support riders is to drop back to the team car for more water and food, and then catch up with the star rider and deliver those items to him.

Last but not least a support rider may be asked to give up his bike to the star rider if he should suffer a flat or other mechanical problems.

Answer 2

Tour the France is big business, much like NHL or NBA. Someone with (access to) plenty of money decides that running a cycling team would be nice, so he starts to recruit good riders, either from other teams or from talented amateurs spotted at less known races. When he has a team he contacts the race organizers, pay them a starting fee and then he and his team are in.

Answer 3

the winner is decided by the person who wins the race.

Answer 4

By combining the top 3 riders from each team on each stage, this way teams are rewarded for 'good days'.

Answer 5

bradley wiggins

but pie is neck and neck