GC or helper?

[wheelnut]

When faced with a few points left once the five attack points have been allocated to the GC contender is it better to put the remainder of the riders on 'helper' or put them on GC to help boost their position up the race order and therefore GC?

The 'spare' riders will typically be on only 70% (other than the last stage)

I am not sure how much helpers actually help the attacker? and therefore repercussions by not heaving nay helpers.

[champadero]

Helpers help with falls and flats, and relay on the peloton if they dont have an own attacker upfront.
If an attacker is already escaped, helpers will just not push peloton.

GS role makes that rider stay in the peloton and being especially helped by helpers, but if you also have an attacker upfront, helpers will not make GS cyclist lose less time, just will try him not to lose contact with peloton, as helpers will not relay on peloton to chase your own attacker.

[wheelnut]

Thanks...very factual response and I knew most of that... Does not really get me nay closer to making a decision regarding the best policy GC vs helpers. I will carry on with a mixture of both I guess. I tend to have one main attacker (run out of leadership) but have been made aware recently of the positive effect of additional points for lower placed GC riders.

[punkska]

I rarely use helpers these days, I usually think a 2nd attacker or saving fitness is more worthwhile.

[nicmarsh]

can i ask; is there much difference in a helper racing at say 90% or 70%. Imagine that your main GC rider is on 70 %

[Mike]

Apr 23, 2016 12:11:02 GMT 1 nicmarsh said:

can i ask; is there much difference in a helper racing at say 90% or 70%. Imagine that your main GC rider is on 70 %

there will be exactly 20% difference