We'll have to just disagree then. Riding smart like you describe is one thing...the fastest rider backing off so a teammate can win is BS IMO (unless one rider personally owes the other one...ala Pedro owing Hayden back in 2006). This is racing...I think the fastest guy should always win the race.
Racing isn't really a team sport...at least not between the riders (the team is the rider and his crew). The first guy a racer should always beat is his teammate. This isn't baseball.
I agree that it's not a team based sport, but if you sign up to ride for a team in a non-team enviroment, then you do what your employer wants.
I've always thought that any team that has multiple riders in a single event is a bit daft in the noggin.
If Marco complies and Sylvain wins the championship.... Marco gets to say " you're welcome"... If Marco does not comply and Tom wins the championship... Marco gets to say "you're welcome." Marco has no chance in winning the champaionship, but he does have an opportunity to be a team player who is owed a big thank you from somebody. I'd rather be the guy knowing I was the best, and knowing the other guy only won because I was a good teamplayer, not because he was better than me. I also think that plays into future race psychology. It'll always be in the back of Sylvain and Sykes heads.
