NashbarShorts said:Arnout, not sure exactly what your point is. Sounds like you're saying the INCREASES in speed peaked at '98, but then held steady until just recently. That does not speak well for the argument that doping was "the prior generation".
Merckx...perhaps he could stay away if not for the EARPIECES used nowadays. Also, as for cyclists getting fat post-retirement b/c they are accostumed to eating lots of food? I'd argue that. If anything it seems most cyclists have internalized a lifestyle where they are hyper-sensitive about weight gain. Many retired cyclists I see are still very lean.
No no, 1998 was the peak and after that it declined again, slowly but steadily, until 2010 where average speed dropped below 40 again.