Why when they go downhill do some riders crouch down really low ? Apart from being really uncomfortable its a tricky position to get into and out of, it can't be for aerodynamics effects surely.
The Pro Cycling Thread (Part 2)
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Originally Posted by Discombobulate:
“Why when they go downhill do some riders crouch down really low ? Apart from being really uncomfortable its a tricky position to get into and out of, it can't be for aerodynamics effects surely.”
“Why when they go downhill do some riders crouch down really low ? Apart from being really uncomfortable its a tricky position to get into and out of, it can't be for aerodynamics effects surely.”
It's entirely for aerodynamic effects !
they can be going 70-80K an hour on long descents, the aerodynamics make a big difference at that speed........and of course there are usually fairly big gaps between riders as they need a 'safety distance' when they're going that fast, so there's little or no slipstreaming to be had
They also adopt a low crouch on time trials when there's no one to slipstream behind
Been sat out on my balcony in the sun for an hour listening to the Radio5 Live commentary for a change........
It's pretty good - Rob Hatch and Rob Hales........because there's no pictures they keep explaining what's happening and no adverts ..........they talk more about the tactics and pattern of the race than the TV commentators who have to describe what the pictures are showing
Think I'll go back to the telly for the final climbs though........
It's pretty good - Rob Hatch and Rob Hales........because there's no pictures they keep explaining what's happening and no adverts ..........they talk more about the tactics and pattern of the race than the TV commentators who have to describe what the pictures are showing
Think I'll go back to the telly for the final climbs though........
Originally Posted by swingaleg:
“It's entirely for aerodynamic effects !
they can be going 70-80K an hour on long descents, the aerodynamics make a big difference at that speed........and of course there are usually fairly big gaps between riders as they need a 'safety distance' when they're going that fast, so there's little or no slipstreaming to be had
They also adopt a low crouch on time trials when there's no one to slipstream behind”
“It's entirely for aerodynamic effects !
they can be going 70-80K an hour on long descents, the aerodynamics make a big difference at that speed........and of course there are usually fairly big gaps between riders as they need a 'safety distance' when they're going that fast, so there's little or no slipstreaming to be had
They also adopt a low crouch on time trials when there's no one to slipstream behind”
Thank you. Much appreciated.
Originally Posted by divingbboy:
“Tony Martin pedalling squares.”
“Tony Martin pedalling squares.”
'grinding to a halt' ........
I think the breakaway will get caught...........touch and go but they're already breaking up and it's soon going to be down to 2 or 3 guys..........actually it's down to 3 now
Gallopin in the yellow jersey has given it a good go today to honour the jersey but he's slipping off the back of the peloton now
Nibali back in yellow tonight ?.......
Nibali back in yellow tonight ?.......
Originally Posted by swingaleg:
“
Nibali back in yellow tonight ?.......”
“
Nibali back in yellow tonight ?.......”
Looks like it - might take the stage too.
It will take a lot to shift Nibali now. Everything has fallen for him this year and he has taken the gift with both hands with a masterful ride today. I cannot see anyone challenging him unless he has a bad day.
There will be some different names on the podium however and we could see a fierce battle for the remaining two places.
There will be some different names on the podium however and we could see a fierce battle for the remaining two places.
Originally Posted by swingaleg:
“It's entirely for aerodynamic effects !
they can be going 70-80K an hour on long descents, the aerodynamics make a big difference at that speed........”
“It's entirely for aerodynamic effects !
they can be going 70-80K an hour on long descents, the aerodynamics make a big difference at that speed........”
I can attest to this as a normal human being cycling down these big Alpine climbs, I hit a brick wall in a sensible riding position at about 50mph, these chaps get so low they hit 60+. Not to be advised unless you're on closed roads, and confident in your ability to navigate out of a high speed wobble at 60 odd mile an hour (brown trouser moment for sure).
Contador fractured his tibia. I wonder how far he rode on it before abandoning?
There was a grainy shot of his broken frame with the top tube come away from just by the seat post. It wasn't clear if this caused his crash or was the result of it.
There was a grainy shot of his broken frame with the top tube come away from just by the seat post. It wasn't clear if this caused his crash or was the result of it.
99% of the time a break of the frame like that would be the result of a crash, rather than the cause. You would need some serious stresses on it to fail on it's own. Chances are he just binned it going too fast/ hit something.. he has previous for overcooking it on descents as well.
Edit: Oh just read on the BBC site from the Saxo DS
"Alberto crashed on a fast and straight part of the descent. He was reaching for his pocket and the bike was swept away under him probably because of a bump or hole in the road," he added.
Edit: Oh just read on the BBC site from the Saxo DS
"Alberto crashed on a fast and straight part of the descent. He was reaching for his pocket and the bike was swept away under him probably because of a bump or hole in the road," he added.
I was watching Eurosport earlier and Greg LeMond was commenting on Nibali's final climb and he said that Nibali 'didn't look like he was suffering'. As a complete outsider to the cycling world I couldn't help noticing that was the same phrase that kept on cropping up in the various documentaries about Armstrong that were on last week. So was that cycling code for 'he looks like a doper'? Or is it just coincidence?
Seeing how close Richie porte is getting, I feel sure froome would have won the race easy enough. Shame about the first fall.
Originally Posted by Bosox:
“I was watching Eurosport earlier and Greg LeMond was commenting on Nibali's final climb and he said that Nibali 'didn't look like he was suffering'. As a complete outsider to the cycling world I couldn't help noticing that was the same phrase that kept on cropping up in the various documentaries about Armstrong that were on last week. So was that cycling code for 'he looks like a doper'? Or is it just coincidence?”
“I was watching Eurosport earlier and Greg LeMond was commenting on Nibali's final climb and he said that Nibali 'didn't look like he was suffering'. As a complete outsider to the cycling world I couldn't help noticing that was the same phrase that kept on cropping up in the various documentaries about Armstrong that were on last week. So was that cycling code for 'he looks like a doper'? Or is it just coincidence?”
Interesting observation. He did look like he wasn't under pressure. Maybe that's all lemond meant.
Originally Posted by Bosox:
“I was watching Eurosport earlier and Greg LeMond was commenting on Nibali's final climb and he said that Nibali 'didn't look like he was suffering'. As a complete outsider to the cycling world I couldn't help noticing that was the same phrase that kept on cropping up in the various documentaries about Armstrong that were on last week. So was that cycling code for 'he looks like a doper'? Or is it just coincidence?”
“I was watching Eurosport earlier and Greg LeMond was commenting on Nibali's final climb and he said that Nibali 'didn't look like he was suffering'. As a complete outsider to the cycling world I couldn't help noticing that was the same phrase that kept on cropping up in the various documentaries about Armstrong that were on last week. So was that cycling code for 'he looks like a doper'? Or is it just coincidence?”
I think any body that thinks the problems ended with Armstrong is being a bit naïve really, especially when you look at the people involved in the various teams as sponsors/Directeur sportif's etc.
However, at the minute - to me - Nibali hasn't rode an unexpected race. He had an easier day on Monday to give him the oomph for yesterday - and it has to be remembered that the 2 people who would have expected to challenge him yesterday weren't actually there. Had Contador or Froome been there yesterday it would have been a different story. Nibali really doesn't have any challengers now - I think the race could cope with either Froome or Contador leaving but not both.
[quote=aggs;73717949]
However, at the minute - to me - Nibali hasn't rode an unexpected race. He had an easier day on Monday to give him the oomph for yesterday - and it has to be remembered that the 2 people who would have expected to challenge him yesterday weren't actually there. /QUOTE]
I think what we see nowadays is a more normal pattern. Riders and teams are not really capable of going out there day after day and doing well. We saw what happened to Tony Martin, he tried put out two days' big effort and in the end he cracked. Similarly with Nibali, he had a day off on Sunday and then a big push on the last hill today.
However, at the minute - to me - Nibali hasn't rode an unexpected race. He had an easier day on Monday to give him the oomph for yesterday - and it has to be remembered that the 2 people who would have expected to challenge him yesterday weren't actually there. /QUOTE]
I think what we see nowadays is a more normal pattern. Riders and teams are not really capable of going out there day after day and doing well. We saw what happened to Tony Martin, he tried put out two days' big effort and in the end he cracked. Similarly with Nibali, he had a day off on Sunday and then a big push on the last hill today.
Originally Posted by grassmarket:
“I think what we see nowadays is a more normal pattern. Riders and teams are not really capable of going out there day after day and doing well. We saw what happened to Tony Martin, he tried put out two days' big effort and in the end he cracked. Similarly with Nibali, he had a day off on Sunday and then a big push on the last hill today.”
“I think what we see nowadays is a more normal pattern. Riders and teams are not really capable of going out there day after day and doing well. We saw what happened to Tony Martin, he tried put out two days' big effort and in the end he cracked. Similarly with Nibali, he had a day off on Sunday and then a big push on the last hill today.”
Yes - and his big push ended up not having to be as big as he was expecting. He didn't need to go full throttle.
Originally Posted by aggs:
“Yes - and his big push ended up not having to be as big as he was expecting. He didn't need to go full throttle.”
“Yes - and his big push ended up not having to be as big as he was expecting. He didn't need to go full throttle.”
Yeah........and of course Nibali had been sat in the pack all day where Rodrigues and the others that were caught had been out in the break getting tired
When they came over the line a good dozen or more riders had overtaken Rodrigues in the last few hundred yards........he was at the end of his tether
Originally Posted by fluffed:
“99% of the time a break of the frame like that would be the result of a crash, rather than the cause. You would need some serious stresses on it to fail on it's own.”
“99% of the time a break of the frame like that would be the result of a crash, rather than the cause. You would need some serious stresses on it to fail on it's own.”
Yeah, it was something that Paul/Phil mentioned, I guess the message was misrelayed somewhere along the line.
Does anyone know why wheels have quite different rims?
I have seen some people with very deep rims but most with what I would describe as standard rims ie not much deeper than the brake blocks.
I have seen some people with very deep rims but most with what I would describe as standard rims ie not much deeper than the brake blocks.
Richie Porte needs to accept he isnt going to catch Nibali and not waste energy chasing him, like yesterday, he needs to concern himself more with not giving time away to the others behind him.
Porte should let them expend the energy chasing Nibali if they want and sit on their wheel, like they did to him yesterday.
Porte should let them expend the energy chasing Nibali if they want and sit on their wheel, like they did to him yesterday.
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