Lancestrong training vs Euro team training

[pmcg76]

Don't forget wins in the Coors Classic in 81 and 85. IMHO, The Coors Classic was the first true Pro Tour level race in the US. To bad Coors decided to change their marketing direction.

Also, one thing to consider is that after LeMond, the team captains had contracts that could afford them the ability to focus on a single race. When you are not concerned about the prize money being your true salary you can adjust your training style to focus on the race of choice.

LeMond only really narrowed his focus after his accident, even then he competed in Paris-Nice, Paris-Roubaix, Tour du Pont, Giro. He wasnt competitive in all those races but I remember he was an important teamate to Duclos-Lassalle in Paris-Roubaix in 92. Lance was the first rider to focus on even less events.

LeMond was probably the last Tour winner(along with Fignon) to actively compete in Paris-Roubaix which is now something I really admire.

 

[yetanothergreenworld]

LeMond was probably the last Tour winner(along with Fignon) to actively compete in Paris-Roubaix which is now something I really admire.

Good point. I don't remember when Lemond's final P-R was, but Fignon's podium finish in 1988 was probably the final time a Grand Tour winner ever achieved that.

I'm trying to think of Monument victories by GT winners since Hinault . . . There's Fignon's M-S-R in 1988 and 1989, Bugno's RVV, Vinokourov's L-B-L in 2005, and Cunego's recent batch of wins at Lombardia. What am I missing here?

 

[yetanothergreenworld]

Also, one thing to consider is that after LeMond, the team captains had contracts that could afford them the ability to focus on a single race. When you are not concerned about the prize money being your true salary you can adjust your training style to focus on the race of choice.

This is a very important fact you bring up, and points toward the more significant connection between American riders and today's more specialized training schedules. Cyrile Guimard and Roger Legeay paid Lemond what were then record-high sallaries because they were trying to match (however distantly) the hugh wages paid to American football, baseball and basketball players. This didn't immediately affect his training schedule, but after his accident he started racing less because his recovery powers were diminished, and that approach to the season "gelled" with the higher sallary in a way that other riders started to imitate.

 

[yakko!]

Don't forget wins in the Coors Classic in 81 and 85. IMHO, The Coors Classic was the first true Pro Tour level race in the US. To bad Coors decided to change their marketing direction.

Sorry for the side note, but it looks like Armstrong is going to bring that back...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/armstrong-pushes-for-coors-classic-revival

 

[pmcg76]

Good point. I don't remember when Lemond's final P-R was, but Fignon's podium finish in 1988 was probably the final time a Grand Tour winner ever achieved that.

I'm trying to think of Monument victories by GT winners since Hinault . . . There's Fignon's M-S-R in 1988 and 1989, Bugno's RVV, Vinokourov's L-B-L in 2005, and Cunego's recent batch of wins at Lombardia. What am I missing here?

Riis won Amstel Gold in 97 but dont know if you would consider that a 'monument' of the sport. I guess you could consider Valverde but he won his classics before his Vuelta victory. It is tough to think of GT winners who have also won monumets.

I think LeMond competed in P-R until 93, not 100% sure on this but he definitely competed in 92.

 

[gregod]

All the europeans are lazy. They just ride around, putting in junk miles with a cadence of 70 RPM. With them, their governments, and their economies mired in the grips of socialism, they have resisted embracing advancements like power meters. They are also gluttons. They train on a diet of sausages and butter. Plus, I have it on good authority that they are stil eating foods containing gluten.

If only they could put down the pies and cakes, and up their cadences to 100 RPM. They might be able to compete with those good old American boys then.

Can't quite tell if this is a snark or not, but it made me laugh.

 

[yakko!]

Can't quite tell if this is a snark or not, but it made me laugh.

Nice...too funny!

 

[bianchigirl]

Cunego - Giro + Lombardy