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?La Grande Boucle?: Determinants of Success at the Tour de France

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  • Benno Torgler

Abstract

Cycling has not been analyzed intensively in the economics of sports literature. This paper reports empirical evidence of individuals? performances in the 2004 ?Tour de France?. We investigate different performances such as total ranking, mountain ranking, time trial rankings as dependent variables and search for factors that shape riders? performances. The results show that riders who were successful in previous Tours perform better than other participants. Team leaders are more successful, and a lower body-mass index leads to a better performance. We also observe differences among the participating countries. Finally, the results suggest that riders? performances are influenced by their teammates.

Suggested Citation

  • Benno Torgler, 2004. "?La Grande Boucle?: Determinants of Success at the Tour de France," CREMA Working Paper Series 2004-22, Center for Research in Economics, Management and the Arts (CREMA), revised May 2005.
    • Handle: RePEc:cra:wpaper:2004-22
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    Cited by:

    1. Rebeggiani, Luca & Tondani, David, 2006. "Organisational Forms in Professional Cycling - Efficiency Issues of the UCI Pro Tour," Hannover Economic Papers (HEP) dp-345, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät.
    2. Torgler, Benno & Schmidt, Sascha L & Frey, Bruno S., 2006. "The Power of Positional Concerns: A Panel Analysis," Berkeley Olin Program in Law & Economics, Working Paper Series qt1z14v7zt, Berkeley Olin Program in Law & Economics.
    3. Tom Coupe & Olivier Gergaud, 2011. "Suspicious Blood and Performance in the 2010 Tour de France," Discussion Papers 43, Kyiv School of Economics.
    4. Tom Coupé & Olivier Gergaud, 2013. "Suspicious Blood and Performance in Professional Cycling," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 14(5), pages 546-559, October.
    5. Travis J. Lybbert & Troy C. Lybbert & Aaron Smith & Scott Warren, 2012. "Does the Red Flag Rule Induce Risk Taking in Sprint Finishes? Moral Hazard Crashes in Cycling’s Grand Tours," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 13(6), pages 603-618, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    sport; cycling tour; Tour de France; team effect;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

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