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Sprinting on your hoods??

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dse1969

Mar 8, 2009
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Just had a look through the pics of the Ladies Tour of Qatar stage 1 and noticed that the winner Rasa Leleivyte (Safi Pasta) was sprinting on her hoods. I don't think I've seen anyone win a top level pro race bunch sprint sprinting this way before or maybe I haven't been looking! I certainly know where I'd prefer the be holding on & the hoods aint the place!
Anyone seen a top level rider win in this fashion before in a bunch sprint?
 
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Serbski

Aug 13, 2009
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"Fast" Fred Rodriguez has led out plenty of sprints on the tops! Look at some old TdF stuff and you'll see it. Not sure if he contested the win in that position but may well have done...
 
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Runitout

Jun 18, 2009
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Serbski said:
"Fast" Fred Rodriguez has led out plenty of sprints on the tops! Look at some old TdF stuff and you'll see it. Not sure if he contested the win in that position but may well have done...
Click to expand...

Pretty sure I saw Thor Hushovd win a race from the hoods a few years ago - I don't remember exact details, but it was not a full field sprint and I think there may have been a crash involved, so low speed for everyone.
 
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brianf7

Aug 4, 2009
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Lots of riders cant get down to the drops either because they have the bars too low or seat too far back.
Some are just too fat and some are not flexable enough.
Dont get me wrong not flexable after a long hard race .

When you are tired you do whatever you can to get the bike over the line 1st.
 
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Anonymous

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It took me until i got to the fifth post before i had any clue what anybody was talking about..

sprinting from the hoods.. sprinters from downtown LA perhaps, sprinting with hoods up, maybe some bizarre form of, well, i really dont know..

Now ive worked it out, i would say thats fairly common, maybe not amongst top pros but perfectly normal and comfortable.
 
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Runitout

Jun 18, 2009
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dimspace said:
It took me until i got to the fifth post before i had any clue what anybody was talking about..

sprinting from the hoods.. sprinters from downtown LA perhaps, sprinting with hoods up, maybe some bizarre form of, well, i really dont know..

Now ive worked it out, i would say thats fairly common, maybe not amongst top pros but perfectly normal and comfortable.
Click to expand...

I think it's fine if you're seated the whole time and just turning on the hurt. If you need to jump out of the saddle it's ****house. You have no leverage countering your legs.
 
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Anonymous

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Cerberus said:
Ok, I'll display my ignorance and ask. What is a "hood" and why would you/wouldn't you sprint on it?
Click to expand...

that was my initial thought, i think its something to do with the top of the handlebars, at the top of the levers..
 
BroDeal

BroDeal

Mar 18, 2009
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dimspace said:
that was my initial thought, i think its something to do with the top of the handlebars, at the top of the levers..
Click to expand...

Brake hoods (the rubber colored bits):

hudz-med.jpg
 
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fatandfast

Jul 14, 2009
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dimspace said:
that was my initial thought, i think its something to do with the top of the handlebars, at the top of the levers..
Click to expand...

a couple of reasons you don't normal sprint on the hoods. First when you are in the drops your head and torso are flatter in the wind. 2nd when you are the drops your elbow will be slightly bent,keeping your head and shoulders slightly behind the front hub. On the hoods you get yourself in front of the hub and it's a little bit less stable
 
Tom T.

Tom T.

Oct 25, 2009
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Serbski said:
"Fast" Fred Rodriguez has led out plenty of sprints on the tops! Look at some old TdF stuff and you'll see it. Not sure if he contested the win in that position but may well have done...
Click to expand...

Exactly! I immediately thought of Fast Freddy when I saw the title of this thread. I remember being astounded watching the slo-mo of him leading out Robbie McEwen from the tops of his bars------it's more of a climbing position but it worked for him.
 
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Jukebox

Jun 30, 2009
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The problem with sprinting from the hoods is that it leaves the drops open as a very useful hook to grab someone else's bar. In close quarters such as a bunch sprint if a lot of guys are on the hoods and wildly rocking their bikes side so side it can be a recipe for crashes.
 
Winterfold

Winterfold

Jul 30, 2009
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that Cancellara win is one of my favourites from the last 10 years - brilliant stuff

I would just like it to be known that some brits know what 'on the hoods' means and we do know it is part of a racing bicycle and not somewhere where a miscreant from the 'bloods' or 'crips' would 'put a cap in yo ***'
 
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Anonymous

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Hugh Januss said:
Oh yeah, now I remember why I used to dislike Greg.
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Yea, no kidding. That was a seriously dickish move there.
 
53 x 11

53 x 11

Jul 11, 2009
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dse1969 said:
Just had a look through the pics of the Ladies Tour of Qatar stage 1 and noticed that the winner Rasa Leleivyte (Safi Pasta) was sprinting on her hoods.
Click to expand...

Womens cycling......... need I say more.
 
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