Is research like riding the Tour de France?

The Tour de France came through Huddersfield yesterday. It ran beautifully and was dead exciting. Initial estimates are that 2.5 million people came to Yorkshire over the weekend to be part of the tour, and over £100 million was spent locally. A major boost for the local economy, and tribute to the people involved.
Watching them streak past gave me the sudden urge to go become a professional cyclist. But it's probably too late for this. So I wondered instead about the nearest I could get; a ropy analogy. Is researching like riding in the Tour?

• One has to slog away long hours repeating time worn tasks.
• Work is sweat (In the Huddersfield Business School offices anyway). 
• It's a lot of build up for a quick rush. 
• It takes a team to guide and push along, but it is down to the individual to make their break.
• Overseas field trips are a possibility, but you'll probably be too busy to see any of the local scenery. 
• If you become a big name, teams fight to poach you. But most likely only the keenest observers will notice your output. 
• Support staff often go overlooked but keep everything running smoothly.
• Throw some Haribos at a crowd and they will cheer. 

• The other does this but on steroids. 

So no it isn't then.