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Featured Athletes
Stage 6: Power-to-Weight Ratio
from CycleOps Power
As the terrain begins to go upward, as it did in Stage 6's uphill finsh, it is important for the riders to be able to maintain a high watts-per-kg or power-to-weight ratio. Watts per kilogram is power output normalized to body weight. The reason we like to normalize power to body weight is that going up a hill, two people might be going the exact same speed, but if they aren't the same size, they won't be putting out the same power.
Power Q & A with Allen Lim, PhD
My question is about coasting. Naturally coasting downhill makes the most sense, but in the end putting more power into the course, pedaling all the time should yield a better time trial result. So what is the most efficient thing to do? Keep pedaling all the time, practice and train this too. Or coast as much as possible in an aero position and apply those saved KiloJoules on the uphill's, naturally you need to practice and train this also.
What do the pros do?
Cheers Ryan
Colorado
Stage 4 Q & A with Allen Lim, PhD
Allen,
During the Stage 4 time trial, I was surprised to see a number of riders, including some of the top time trialists, ride with water bottles and cages. No doubt hydration is important. But in a sub 40 minute ride, wouldn't it have been better from a power standpoint to cope with modest dehydration and ditch the extra weight of the water bottle and cage?
Thanks,
Jonathan
Seattle, WA
Stage 5: Conserving Energy in the Longest Stage
from Bruce Hildenbrand
Wednesday's stage from Cholet to Chateauroux was the longest of the Tour at
144 miles(233km). Thanks heavens it was pretty flat, but that still translates
to about six hours in the saddle. For some riders, the 18-mile time trial the
day before was a bit of a rest, the time cut is the winner's time plus 25% so
those not in contention for the overall win can take it a bit easy. But,
even after five days of racing there is still a lot of nervous energy in the
peloton. Also, it seems like every French rider in the Tour is trying to
restore some pride to a race the host country hasn't won for the past 23 years.
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