Is this OK?

[hilljockey]

Have a look at the photo below.

Keeping in mind they are going slowly at the time, are these riders going to get a benefit from the bike being there?

[Gai M]

Is this a cycling race?
There are as many cars in the photo as cycles.

And more motor bikes than cycles.

[Metro Commuter]

Hmm - I look at that picture, and cast my mind back to the time I rode up Alpe D'Huez, and I think that even accounting for the much higher speeds Basso etal travel up these hills at, that while there is a drafting effect (esp behind a large motrbike) it would not be all that great, and in any event most of the bunches that are worth covering on TV (being the bunches that matter) would be covered in a similar manner and so the leaders would get a simialr degree of aerodynamic assistance. 

I would think the real issue would be how having the distraction of the motorbike affected your concentration.I woudl have to suck my gut in the whole time, and that would be hard work.

[hilljockey]

the distraction of the motorbike affected your concentration

I also wondered if perhaps the motorbike might  act as a kind of pace object.  A reference point.  Something to chase/keep up with.

[Metro Commuter]

You may be correct, but (for a weak willed person like me) the thought a motor bike was leaving me behind would crush me more than being motivated to chase it down or keep pace. My "give up now fat loser hill climber" devil on my left should would mean I'd be looking behind for the sag wagon.  But I doubt Basso etal are as weak willed as I am.

[Robbo]

No team car for Scarponi, SACK THEM MATE!

I would also sack the bloody motorbike rider, he hasnt got a rope on the thing for me to hold onto (thats if it was me following him that is - just a tad unlikely)