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Fabian Cancellara accused of cheating??

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M

McClimber

Jun 15, 2010
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http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/news/story?id=6223349

I just can't believe that some people are after Fabian Cancellara again.

I think he is a good clean respectable racer.

I haven't heard of these new components "Gold Race".

"La Derniere Heure's story suggested Cancellara might have used the system of ball bearings offering gains of up to 2.5 seconds per kilometer since 2007.

According to the newspaper, the technology developed by Italian engineer Giovanni Cecchini reduces friction by more than 95 percent."

If it is just simple smooth ball bearings then let them all have it.

2.5 sec/k is huge though.

Will UCI allow it? Like swimmers and the shark suits?
 
Jamsque

Jamsque

Mar 11, 2009
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That seems like an implausibly huge performance boost for some bearings. If they are so good why aren't all the pros using them?
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
I think he used a motor last year, but if he did use this, I see no big problem. I too question the time gains, but reduced friction couldn't do anything but help. My question, and one not answered by the article, is: Is it illegal? Is there a UCI limit on bearings? I am too lazy to go look, but I am sure someone here knows.
 
N

Night Rider

Jan 20, 2010
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I am pretty sure there are no restrictions on bearing material, so it's not cheating.

I don't think he used a motor either.
 
Buffalo Soldier

Buffalo Soldier

Apr 12, 2009
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It was allowed by UCI before he used it. So it's definitely not cheating.

2,5 sec/km is an exaggeration by the manufacturer, who hopes to earn some money of course, but even 0,5sec/km would be huge.

Manufacturer also said Schleck used it during some tour stages last year btw!
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
was wondering how long this thread would take to start.

No issue at all with him using special bearings as long as they fit within UCI regulations.

I would have issue however:
If it was proven that he had exclusive access to the technology

i still think something was strange about his multiple bike changes in Flanders and sudden burst of speed.

Be interesting to see, if he stops using them, or if everyone else has access to them, if his TT times are effected.

As for Baby Schleck using them, the guy cant even put a chain on a bike, he needs more than magic bearings to help him.

Buffalo Soldier said:
2,5 sec/km is an exaggeration by the manufacturer, who hopes to earn some money of course, but even 0,5sec/km would be huge.
Click to expand...

the theory they are making is that the reduced friction allows you to turn a bigger gear. Im not a mathemetician, but how much extra distance would an extra couple of teeth get you over a kilometre.

That said, .5 sec per kilometre, 1 second every 2k, 20k time trial = 10 seconds. No real use on the road, but in time trials could make a world of difference.
 
N

Night Rider

Jan 20, 2010
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TeamSkyFans said:
As for Baby Schleck using them, the guy cant even put a chain on a bike, he needs more than magic bearings to help him.
Click to expand...

Ah, it's been a few weeks since I have been on these boards but it's posts liek this that keep me coming back :)
 
B

BM1979

Mar 7, 2011
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TeamSkyFans said:
was wondering how long this thread would take to start.

No issue at all with him using special bearings as long as they fit within UCI regulations.

I would have issue however:
If it was proven that he had exclusive access to the technology
i still think something was strange about his multiple bike changes in Flanders and sudden burst of speed.

Be interesting to see, if he stops using them, or if everyone else has access to them, if his TT times are effected.

As for Baby Schleck using them, the guy cant even put a chain on a bike, he needs more than magic bearings to help him.



the theory they are making is that the reduced friction allows you to turn a bigger gear. Im not a mathemetician, but how much extra distance would an extra couple of teeth get you over a kilometre.

That said, .5 sec per kilometre, 1 second every 2k, 20k time trial = 10 seconds. No real use on the road, but in time trials could make a world of difference.
Click to expand...

That bolded part is what it comes down to in my opinion , if it was just made available to him i think there is an issue.
 
Martin318is

Martin318is

Jun 16, 2009
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TeamSkyFans said:
That said, .5 sec per kilometre, 1 second every 2k, 20k time trial = 10 seconds. No real use on the road, but in time trials could make a world of difference.
Click to expand...

Sorry, don't get why there would be no use on the road? I tried to find an image of the system and couldn't but unless there is something spectacularly odd about it - why wouldn't a road rider want to get that much of a gain, just as much as a TT rider?
 
Christian

Christian

Mar 13, 2009
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Why would Cancellara have exclusive access to this - wouldn't it be in the manufacturer's interest to promote his product as good as he can? It certainly looks like Radioshack are using it.

If this technology is really that efficient, I see no reason why it should be prohibited.

But most importantly - why does the name Cecchini keep turning up? Coincidence or a relative of Luigi?
 
Granville57

Granville57

Dec 7, 2010
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HOLD ON....
La Derniere Heure's story suggested Cancellara might have used the system of ball bearings offering gains of up to 2.5 seconds per kilometer since 2007.
Click to expand...

1) Just how in hell are they calculating that?

2) 2.5 seconds over what...Cancellara's "normal" speed?

He won the TdF prologue in 2004.
He was World Champion in 2006.

Puh-lease. :rolleyes:
 
Spider1964

Spider1964

Jul 8, 2009
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His team manager reacted v quickly on twitter that it was all BS...

@inrng That is 100% NOT the case. He uses the same material as the rest of the team. No collaboration with these people at @leopardtrek

@inrng That's the collateral effect of uncritical copy-paste journalism.
 
El Pistolero

El Pistolero

Jul 16, 2010
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Spider1964 said:
His team manager reacted v quickly on twitter that it was all BS...

@inrng That is 100% NOT the case. He uses the same material as the rest of the team. No collaboration with these people at @leopardtrek

@inrng That's the collateral effect of uncritical copy-paste journalism.
Click to expand...

This argument is about as good as saying Valverde is clean because he says so. :rolleyes:

I'm not buying into this whole 2.5 seconds per kilometers thing by the way.
 
hrotha

hrotha

Jun 10, 2010
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Pfff. First off, no one's accusing Cancellara of cheating (except for people casually staring at news articles without actually taking the time to read them). It's supposed to be better equipment, fine with UCI regulations, nothing else. Nygaard says Cancellara doesn't use it anymore because he's on a Trek now, not on a Specialized, and they don't work with whatever Gold-Race is, not because it's morally dubious but because Trek simply works with other folks. Business. Simple as that.
 
K

ksmith

Jan 19, 2011
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hfer07 said:
2.5 seconds per km by only putting those "special bearings"? I thought such advantage could only be attainable by having a motor....

wait a minute...........
Click to expand...

It is the motor of the compressor. All surfaces do not not touch, they have a film of air between them.

There, problem solved both at the same time I might add :D
 
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