We are trying to set up a medal for that hopelessly out of time Indian rider.
These "hopelessly out of time" riders are still out there because you allow them to be.
I am sure that someone will give that remark the response that it merits. The riders are out there because they are human beings with dignity and ambitions, not because the organisation has somehow imported them and dumped them on the highway. I can see various solutions indicated by your remark but they are not appropriate and I'm not going to put them out here. My sympathies and praises go to the people who are helping the riders, even out of time, not to those who want them to somehow disappear.
You are dancing round the tree on this one aren't you?
I would argue the opposite, that the organisation has dumped them on the highway.
If it weren't for LEL they wouldn't be there.
It may be a"private excursion" but they are still participating in an organised event, or at least they were when they set off.
I am quoting Fidgetbuzz because he used the words "hopelessly out of time " not me.
The organisation has been happy to leave riders out on the road without any control support .
The plucky hero narrative is fine so long as no-one gets hurt , then it changes to "Why did nobody stop them?"
Audax cannot afford a Gary Hart moment.