About Domestique Debate

How it works

The Debate is where Domestique readers take a position on pro cycling. We put forward a statement. You vote, then explain why you agree, disagree, or sit somewhere in between.

The point is not to shout the loudest. It is to make the strongest case.

Vote

Every debate starts with one statement. You can answer in three ways: Agree, Neutral, or Disagree.

Your vote is anonymous. We only show the overall split, never how an individual reader voted. You can change your vote at any time while the debate is open.

You need an account to vote. That helps keep the results clean.

Discuss

The real debate happens in the opinions below each statement. Make your case, reply to others, and vote opinions up or down.

Each opinion shows the writer's stance, so you can see where they are coming from. You can sort by most popular or newest, and filter by stance.

Comments show your username only. Your real name and email are never shown. See something that crosses the line? Report it and a moderator will review it.

Karma

Karma shows how your opinions are received by the bunch.

It goes up when other readers upvote your opinions, and down when they downvote them. Your own votes do not count.

It is a simple way to recognise people who add something to the debate. It also unlocks your flair.

Flair

As your karma grows you climb the ranks, cycling-style. Your current tier shows next to your username (everyone starts as a Neo-Pro, which stays hidden until you move up):

• Neo-Pro — 0+ karma. Where everyone starts.
• Domestique — 50+ karma. You're putting in the work.
• Rouleur — 250+ karma. A reliable voice in the bunch.
• Breakaway — 1,000+ karma. Out front and making moves.
• Maillot Jaune — 5,000+ karma. Wearing yellow — a leader of the debate.
• Patron — 15,000+ karma. The peloton listens when you speak.

Two more pieces of flair you can't buy with karma: the author of the top-voted opinion on a debate wears a Stage Winner pill on that debate, and our team carries staff flair — Commissaire (moderator) and Race Director (admin).

Badges

Badges are one-off achievements that land in your trophy case as you take part.

• Grand Départ — Post your first opinion.
• Engine Room — Post 100 opinions.
• King of the Mountains — Reach 1,000 karma.
• Attack! — Have an opinion reach 50 upvotes.
• Super Combative — Vote in 50 debates.
• Palmarès — Spend one year on Domestique Debate.

Your profile

Every rider gets a public profile at /u/your-username. It shows your flair, karma, badges, the day you joined, and your opinion history.

Click any username in a thread to visit their profile.

House rules

Argue the statement, not the person.

Strong disagreement belongs here. Abuse, spam and harassment do not. We will remove anything that drags the debate away from the point.

Keep it sharp. Keep it civil. Keep it worth reading.

Get started

Create a free account, confirm your email, and you are ready to vote and weigh in.

See you in the bunch.