So now the Post tour crits start: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/post-tour-criteriums-begin-in-earnest
which I have always nosyed at out of interest, but what is the point if the results are already decided? It know they are saying it allows those who couldnt' get to France to watch and support but why don't they just have them as normal Crit races???? Pay the stars their attendance money ..... is this not a bit strange? Surely success in the Crits is nowt to do with the TdF anyway?
The point is it's a showcase event. A lot of showboat/exhibition track and crit races are "agreed" in advance. Everyone puts on a really good show of racing, it's all thrill a minute stuff where a guy gets dropped but then heroically claws his way back or a no-hoper goes flying off the front before being pulled back and it's actually really exciting. The crowd don't know who the winner will be (although as an educated guess it's usually the local lad or one of the riders fresh from the TdF) so it keeps it's excitement.
A few years ago at a UK track race, one of the racers lapped the field twice in a points race and as a result the whole thing was dull as ditchwater, everyone knew the winner from miles out. He was taken to one side and it was gently explained to him that if he wanted any appearance money next time, he'd best put on a bit of a show. 😉