fastest ascent ever in the TDF

[Publicus]

I disagree, if you watch Contador he climbs not at a steady pace, he does repeated accelerations and when his momentum drops he accelerates again. Eventually that would catch up with you over the course of an hour. Or at least the accelerations would not be as strong.
You mention the 2007 tour, remember Rasmussen climbed at a much steadier rate, while Contador climbed more in a series of jumps.

I think prior to this year, your observation is correct. Contador would accelerate but not otherwise maintain the speed. From press reports, he's acknowledged that short coming and worked on it this offseason. Yesterday he maintained his speed throughout. Otherwise Baby SChleck and others would have come back to him (riding a steady, high tempo vs. accelerations-decelerations).

At least that's what I saw.

 

[Stelvio]

So thats 1.9K in an hour? I can crawl faster than that.

If you mean 1.9K up hill, whats the gradient?

Gotta love stats.

I remember the late Pantani climbing at 28kph up the mountain. I think that was a record.

The V in VAM is Vertical. For example, to climb Mont Ventoux (Bédoin side, length 22.7km, altitude difference 1622m) with a VAM of 1900 would require a time of (1622 / 1900) * 60 = 50m 54s, or an average speed of 26.6 kph.

 

[Pot Belgique]

The V in VAM is Vertical. For example, to climb Mont Ventoux (Bédoin side, length 22.7km, altitude difference 1622m) with a VAM of 1900 would require a time of (1622 / 1900) * 60 = 50m 54s, or an average speed of 26.6 kph.

Does that mean that we can expect Iban Mayo's record of 55-51 to get blown away on the Ventoux this year ? Or was it a different route that Mayo rode to the one being used this year?

 

[indurain666]

Does that mean that we can expect Iban Mayo's record of 55-51 to get blown away on the Ventoux this year ? Or was it a different route that Mayo rode to the one being used this year?

Theoretically, if he goes full speed, I guess he could. Not sure if he is going to need it though. Someone correct me if I am wrong but they are climbing from Bedoin, which is the same route where Mayo set the record.

 

[rhubroma]

It also depends on how the bunch tackles the lower slopes of the climb. Saxo sprinted up the first part, while Contadors last 5k were decidedly fast. But his overal high VAM was helped by Saxo. The climb also wasn't that steep, so in this case drafting at the bottom actually played a significant role. Still, AC's solo burst was impressive.

 

[mickkk]

I recall Pantani climbing up one of the big climbs at 25kph, forget which one, old age setting in.