Brains V Brawn (Albeit Enhanced)

[ultimobici]

There have been many threads about various riders' doping history or speculation about riders who did or didn't dope.

But references to Argentin in the 22 years on thread got me thinking. Argentin was a big rider way before the Ferrari, Gewiss & EPO cocktail of 1994. His major strength wasn't so much physical but mental. He was crafty rider who played to his strengths but also played his opponents weaknesses.

We make much of the effects of EPO, blood doping, amphetamine & steroids but ignore the value of the brain in our estimations of a rider and whether they doped or not.

 

[Cycle Chic]

Yeh Bradley Wiggins once said the Euskatel lot were lacking in brains - always causing the crashes in the peloton. I think the Schlecks 'ummin and arrin' could be down to that as well - bit dumb.

 

[Granville57]

It's easy to imagine that it's better to be doped and smart than doped and dopey. But then we have Riccò...

 

[ElChingon]

Without good legs riders don't last or make it to the top no matter how many brains they may have. I'm talking all along the proper lines, I'm not talking about those who go off the straight and narrow, that's a separate thread.

 

[Cloxxki]

Without good legs riders don't last or make it to the top no matter how many brains they may have. I'm talking all along the proper lines, I'm not talking about those who go off the straight and narrow, that's a separate thread.

I agree. Mental is overrated. It can matter on mentally hard races (bumpy, sketchy, cold, or off-road in general), but when it's nice weather and the road points up, all that matters is prep. Fans may make a huge deal out of a look or gesture, but all that matters is watts per kg.
In a max power test, there is a very specific "snap" moment where you need to stop pedaling. There is not a second you can do it longer. Body shots down. Riding uphill is the soft version of that. All you can do is pace it, or convince the competition to ride slower (hey, it's cycling, that stuff happens).

 

[Oldman]

There have been many threads about various riders' doping history or speculation about riders who did or didn't dope.

But references to Argentin in the 22 years on thread got me thinking. Argentin was a big rider way before the Ferrari, Gewiss & EPO cocktail of 1994. His major strength wasn't so much physical but mental. He was crafty rider who played to his strengths but also played his opponents weaknesses.

We make much of the effects of EPO, blood doping, amphetamine & steroids but ignore the value of the brain in our estimations of a rider and whether they doped or not.

Argentin was good but having EPO made he and his team unbeatable. No doubt great riders prosper in any environment as long as they perform within their limitations. EPO, HGH and other sophisticated recovery regimes changed all of that. You only need to see the post rest-day Grand Tour climbing stages to know not everybody can ride faster after a day off.
Rider of questionable tactical ability manage to prosper now where they would have been left on the side of the road before. Schlecks, anyone?

 

[spetsa]

I agree. Mental is overrated. It can matter on mentally hard races (bumpy, sketchy, cold, or off-road in general), but when it's nice weather and the road points up, all that matters is prep. Fans may make a huge deal out of a look or gesture, but all that matters is watts per kg.
In a max power test, there is a very specific "snap" moment where you need to stop pedaling. There is not a second you can do it longer. Body shots down. Riding uphill is the soft version of that. All you can do is pace it, or convince the competition to ride slower (hey, it's cycling, that stuff happens).

I disagree whole heartedly in regards to the role a strong mental state plays in cycling. On race day, when the road goes up, sure, the legs are numero uno, but how do you come by those good legs on race day? You train. The average pro cyclist will train between 1100-1300 hours per year and race less than 250 hours. Very few are lucky enough to spend those training hours in the sunshine of Majorca. Those that are mentally strong enough to do the proper thing day in and out, in the cold, oppressive heat, rain, snow, wind etc. are the ones who will have the good legs on race day. Factor in the control of diet and recovery etc. you spend almost as much time paying attention to your preparation to train as you do training.
I remember Paul Kimmage writing in his book that one of his early DS's told him that with strong legs and weak head you will get nowhere, but with weak legs and a strong head, you still have a chance.
If you have ever lived the demands of being held accountable as an athlete, you would understand how true that statement is!

 

[ElChingon]

I disagree whole heartedly in regards to the role a strong mental state plays in cycling. On race day, when the road goes up, sure, the legs are numero uno, but how do you come by those good legs on race day? You train. The average pro cyclist will train between 1100-1300 hours per year and race less than 250 hours. Very few are lucky enough to spend those training hours in the sunshine of Majorca. Those that are mentally strong enough to do the proper thing day in and out, in the cold, oppressive heat, rain, snow, wind etc. are the ones who will have the good legs on race day. Factor in the control of diet and recovery etc. you spend almost as much time paying attention to your preparation to train as you do training.
I remember Paul Kimmage writing in his book that one of his early DS's told him that with strong legs and weak head you will get nowhere, but with weak legs and a strong head, you still have a chance.
If you have ever lived the demands of being held accountable as an athlete, you would understand how true that statement is!

Well we need to distinguish smart cyclist from smart person in general, are we talking someone who could blow the lid off a IQ test vs someone who is just crafty.