Biggest Pro Cycling Myths

[Michielveedeebee]

sorry? Are you saying that having lungs that are 7.7Litres isn't incredible? For reference, that means his lungs are 2.2Litres larger than the adult male average of 5.5Litres

They're pretty big, but not that extreme if you ask me. I'm 1.75 m and my lungs are 6.4 litres, and I don't train 5 hours a day at all. Merckx's lungs were 8+ litres

Myth - Cyclists shave their legs for aerodynamic purposes

 

[Winterfold]

Box Hill is like the Alpe d'Huez

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Box Hill is like the Alpe d'Huez

If you listen to Phil and Paul, every hill is like Alpe d'Huez. Big Bear is "America's version of Alpe d'Huez", just like it, and whatever that other hill in California that had Rogers/DZ/Levi attack on it was was "like a miniature Alpe d'Huez". I'm beginning to think that in their senility the duo can't remember the names of any other French mountains or have any recollection of what Alpe d'Huez is actually like, so just imagine it to be like whatever climb they're watching.

 

[Oldman]

If you listen to Phil and Paul, every hill is like Alpe d'Huez. Big Bear is "America's version of Alpe d'Huez", just like it, and whatever that other hill in California that had Rogers/DZ/Levi attack on it was was "like a miniature Alpe d'Huez". I'm beginning to think that in their senility the duo can't remember the names of any other French mountains or have any recollection of what Alpe d'Huez is actually like, so just imagine it to be like whatever climb they're watching.

They don't want to confuse the audience who has just learned how to pronounce Alpe DEEE whoez from Bob Roll. Why confuse the rubes with additional knowledge unless it is about A Certain Mr Lance Armstrong. And we know how he flew up the ....Alpe.

 

[sartain]

What are the biggest myths about pro cycling? (I'm talking strictly non-Clinic material here)

Here's mine:

Myth: HTC-Columbia are a team only interested in sprinting and stage wins. They have no regard for GC.

Fact: Of the 11 ranking stage races so far, they have managed top tens in eight of them - more than any other team (Katusha, Liquigas and Radioshack are next on 7). This doesn't include Eneco, which they lead. Their record in non-ranking events is also good.

Note: This thread isn't to debate my Myth/Fact, but to put forward your own myth/fact propositions (non-clinic remember)

That DopeStrong has been tested . . .

500+ times;
400+ times;
300+ times;
200+ times;
150+ times.
I say say BS on any number north of 150. I would like to see his camp post the actual numbers somewhere, instead of the constant reinflation of the numbers to the point of 500+ tests. We all know how few times he was tested by the USADA in a ten year period, and it was a pretty small number.

 

[Andynonomous]

My guy is different.

My favorite cyclist didn't dope, and even if he did, since they all do it, he would have performed at least as well, if everyone was clean.

 

[Martin318is]

I will be pulling the Rominger conversation into its own thread (where it should have been anyway) shortly

 

[blutto]

They're pretty big, but not that extreme if you ask me. I'm 1.75 m and my lungs are 6.4 litres, and I don't train 5 hours a day at all. Merckx's lungs were 8+ litres

Myth - Cyclists shave their legs for aerodynamic purposes

...wondering if you could provide some background articles about the Merckx number you spoke of...and if you have any other material that includes other specs about Merckx' abilities ( such as power outputs) that would also be greatly appreciated....

...thanks in advance...

Cheers

blutto