L'Avenir 2024 U23s 18 to 24 August

[Tim Cahill]

I don't subscribe to the idea that bikes today are much faster uphill than 10-15 years ago at all. Bikes today are heavier, so I still think its an absolutely insane performance beating ALL of these riders.

The main difference between bikes now and 15 years ago is the price.

Noticeably faster on the flat but most of the aero doesn't matter on gradients/speed like this and is mostly offset by the weight.

 

[scribers]

There’s more differences than weight and aero

 

[Valv.Piti]

Easy empirical question to answer. They are way faster today. Minutes on hour long climbs actually

Thats probably what the bike industry wants us all to believe and bump the prices up to insanity. Bikes are super aero nowadays and kills these old bikes on the flats, but weight is king uphill and they are 0,5 kg heavier Im pretty sure.

 

[Pozzovivo]

The main difference between bikes now and 15 years ago is the price.

Noticeably faster on the flat but most of the aero doesn't matter on gradients/speed like this and is mostly offset by the weight.

Jonas Vingegaards bike in the tour was weighed in at less than the minimum limit - and they had to add weight to it to be allowed to race.

 

[Pozzovivo]

Jonas Vingegaards bike in the tour was weighed in at less than the minimum limit - and they had to add weight to it to be allowed to race.

Guillaume Martin's bike on the other hand fits your narrative better.

 

[Pozzovivo]

Thats probably what the bike industry wants us all to believe and bump the prices up to insanity. Bikes are super aero nowadays and kills these old bikes on the flats, but weight is king uphill and they are 0,5 kg heavier Im pretty sure.

It really depends on the brand and whether it's the top model or not. Huge difference. I've worked with this. Vingegaards bike is 6.7. G.Martin 7.5kg

 

[KZD]

I don't think this Tour de L'Avenir had loads of climbing talent but this was still a mighty performance from a 18 year old like Torres. He will probably be promoted to the UAE World Tour squad next year.

Blackmore also with a great performance to take the GC but as others have said, I see him more as a rider for the hilly classics or shorter stage races.

 

[Pozzovivo]

It really depends on the brand and whether it's the top model or not. Huge difference. I've worked with this. Vingegaards bike is 6.7. G.Martin 7.5kg

For recreational cyclists with normal "good" bikes - you are right. Insane prices for little benefit compared to 5-10 years ago.

 

[Squire]

Nordhagen kills Torres and Widar. August is not the new remco as was promised.

I'm a big Nordhagen believer, but I'm not so sure he's really that superior to the two others. Torres has been really impressive several times this season. I first noticed him when he shredded the field in Abruzzo with the WT team. Hard to see Nordhagen being much better than Torres today.

August is maybe not quite on the level, but he did seem strong in the Czech Tour. Might just be a bit slower at adapting to the step-up from juniors.

 

[Samamba]

Nordhagen kills Torres and Widar. August is not the new remco as was promised.

Saying Nordhagen "kills" Torres after todays performance is wild and just not based on anything

 

[Pozzovivo]

I'm a big Nordhagen believer, but I'm not so sure he's really that superior to the two others. Torres has been really impressive several times this season. I first noticed him when he shredded the field in Abruzzo with the WT team. Hard to see Nordhagen being much better than Torres today.

August is maybe not quite on the level, but he did seem strong in the Czech Tour. Might just be a bit slower at adapting to the step-up from juniors.

Fair enough. I think the 54kg Nordhagen enormous flat TT performances scares everyone...

 

[Pozzovivo]

Saying Nordhagen "kills" Torres after todays performance is wild and just not based on anything

You're right but, Nordhagen is tiny and get classic riders under pressure on the flat in pro races these days. Seriously. Very very scary.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Jonas Vingegaards bike in the tour was weighed in at less than the minimum limit - and they had to add weight to it to be allowed to race.

Pogacar's was about 400 over wasn't it? I know the tt setup was bare bones but remember being a bit puzzled by the road bike.

 

[Squire]

Fair enough. I think the 54kg Nordhagen enormous flat TT performances scares everyone...

To be fair, his actual TT performances this season has been quite poor. But he has looked good in races not necessarily suited to him in recent weeks, that's true.

 

[Pozzovivo]

To be fair, his actual TT performances this season has been quite poor. But he has looked good in races not necessarily suited to him in recent weeks, that's true.

I think we will have to wait for worlds and euro's this year but last year did extrmely well on very flat course that did not suit him at all.

 

[Pozzovivo]

Pogacar's was about 400 over wasn't it? I know the tt setup was bare bones but remember being a bit puzzled by the road bike.

It was reported yes. Seen other reports of his bike wieghing 7.2-7.3. I must say I have a hard time believing this almost. How can UAE with all their resources (and ownership of Colnago) leave A HUGE gain like that on the table against Visma and Cervelo. If it is true then Visma boys are in trouble when UAE starts tightening the belt.

 

[Squire]

I think we will have to wait for worlds and euro's this year but last year did extrmely well on very flat course that did not suit him at all.

Andrew August also did very good time trials last year. Junior time trial performances don't always transfer completely to grown-up cycling. I think they're still gear restricted, right? So small aero guys have a relative advantage over the big watt monsters.

 

[Mayomaniac]

So, is Joseph the grandson of Richie Blackmore?

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Andrew August also did very good time trials last year. Junior time trial performances don't always transfer completely to grown-up cycling. I think they're still gear restricted, right? So small aero guys have a relative advantage over the big watt monsters.

No, gear restrictions have been removed as of 2023. It's up to races themselves whether they wish to uphold such restrictions, and very little organisers do so.

 

[Pozzovivo]

Andrew August also did very good time trials last year. Junior time trial performances don't always transfer completely to grown-up cycling. I think they're still gear restricted, right? So small aero guys have a relative advantage over the big watt monsters.

True but August was beaten comfortably by nordhagen in Worlds and he looks like a more built for TT so I think the August hype is a bit of nonsense. Don't know about gear restrictions? Maybe someone else knows?

 

[Peyroteo94]

What is his height and weight? This climbing performance was great.

 

[SafeBet]

Well it wasn't exactly a Pantani record.

He's a first year u23 riding one of the hardest climbs in the world.

 

[scribers]

Today was a fantastic day to spectate between this and the vuelta

 

[Ricco']

If subs during races were allowed like some want it to be, Matxin would be right now checking the quickest flights from Piemonte to Andalucia.

 

[pastronef]

If subs during races were allowed like some want it to be, Matxin would be right now checking the quickest flights from Piemonte to Andalucia.

nice joke, a 18yo wouldn't cope with 2 weeks of Vuelta after the hard racing week he had