Sub-40Minute Alpe d'Huez?

[Rydberg]

Keep in mind that Lemond and Hinault had been engaged in attack and counter-attack all day long -- definitely NOT getting dragged to the foot of the climb by their team!

Also, it's so telling that Fausto Coppi's time is perfectly on-par with the 80s rides . . . and then in the 90s it just takes off.

I think the stage Coppi rode ended lower down the mountain than the normal tour finish. On the other hand, I don't think it was tarmac all the way back on the 50's. But yeah, the times were much quicker after 1991.

 

[Anonymous]

This was discussed on a different thread and it was proven that the faster times are due to:

6) Natural Erosion of the height of the Alpe due to Global Warming

have you been drinking?

Apart from anything else, why would global warming cos rock to erode and the height of the mountain to change?

 

[ttrider]

have you been drinking?

Apart from anything else, why would global warming cos rock to erode and the height of the mountain to change?

Well it doesnt refer to me but isostatic and eustatic change will have an effect of about a cm per millenium so yeh hes probably ****ed!

 

[Escarabajo]

The list is useless because of two things.
It seems there's no general consensus on starting point of the climb, so direct comparison between times're meaningless.
It seems not all rides are included (Clearly more than 30 people have done it in less than 48 minutes).

Thanks. Puff for a moment I thought all those top 16 were a bunch of dopers.

 

[Escarabajo]

You guys don't understand. It is called evolution of mankind, just that this time it happened in a span of 20 years.

Wait I don't think that is correct. Here is the right one:

 

[Polish]

The King is dead, long live the king!

I timed Jani/AC at 41:38 - started the timer after they turned the corner onto the first switchback.

Here is a nice interview with Marco right after his win:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jeaIqMj_Tk

 

[Magnus]

I timed Jani/AC at 41:38 - started the timer after they turned the corner onto the first switchback.

Here is a nice interview with Marco right after his win:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jeaIqMj_Tk

As far as I remember the first switchback is 3 km into the climb.

 

[santacruz]

Is the Alpe D' whatever climb always the same road, same approach, etc? How do they know when to start their timers? Is there a landmark?

 

[ScotsBiker]

As far as I remember the first switchback is 3 km into the climb.

It's more like 500m, not 3km. It's steep, I have ridden it, the year of the Mayo/Armstrong duel.

http://www.grassyknolltv.com/2010/criterium-du-dauphine-libere/alpe-dhuez-whitfield.jpg

 

[Escarabajo]

I timed Jani/AC at 41:38 - started the timer after they turned the corner onto the first switchback.

Here is a nice interview with Marco right after his win:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jeaIqMj_Tk

I did clock 42:23 right at the same place. But I started the clock when the main group turned not the leaders. It was tricky because the camera didn't show it so you had to project it where they would make the turn. But that would be +- 5 seconds at the most.

 

[Magnus]

It's more like 500m, not 3km. It's steep, I have ridden it, the year of the Mayo/Armstrong duel.

http://www.grassyknolltv.com/2010/criterium-du-dauphine-libere/alpe-dhuez-whitfield.jpg

My bad. Just checked with google maps. 700 m from Sarennes, 2.5 km from the roundabout. I guess it just feels longer in the beginning then the rest of the climb.

 

[Dave_1]

My stopwatch was on Contdaor and JB-started it as they turned left onto the first ramp and stopped them on the finish. 41 minutes 40 seconds for me so backs up the other person who confirmed a similar time. Pantani did 36.50 for the same distance 15 years ago. It's nice to think Lucho Herrera would have battled it out with Contador yesterday...

 

[python]

I did clock 42:23 right at the same place. But I started the clock when the main group turned not the leaders. It was tricky because the camera didn't show it so you had to project it where they would make the turn. But that would be +- 5 seconds at the most.

cyclismag (and they typically do a decent job timing climbs) agrees with you - 42:20.

they estimated power at 420 watts (for a standard of 78kg) between the base and chapelle saint férréol (6.5 km from the top). they noted that contador and brajkpvic slowed down after that point due to head winds and had they maintained the same pace the time would be around 40:20.

very respectable but hardly an earth shattering performance.

 

[rghysens]

Jesus Christ that list is ridiculous.

Two riders barely under 42' then




BAM




1991.

make that 1994. In 1991 the stage to l'Alpe d'Huez was very short (about 130km, with no high mountains). There was also a finish on l'Alpe in 1992 (winner Hampsten, iirc) but I don't see any times for that year.

But I got your point

 

[Dave_1]

cyclismag (and they typically do a decent job timing climbs) agrees with you - 42:20.

they estimated power at 420 watts (for a standard of 78kg) between the base and chapelle saint férréol (6.5 km from the top). they noted that contador and brajkpvic slowed down after that point due to head winds and had they maintained the same pace the time would be around 40:20.

very respectable but hardly an earth shattering performance.

Lance and Ullrich clocked 37 and 38 minutes in the 2004 MTT, as fast as Ullrich climbed it after riding a 100 miles to the base back in 1997, so am not sure distance ridden to the bottom of the climb affects the times so much. maybe we are seeing the bio-passport kick in?

Am 100% sure cycllismag has got the time wrong though...the climb start to the finish line was 41.40 apprx

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

cyclismag (and they typically do a decent job timing climbs) agrees with you - 42:20.

they estimated power at 420 watts (for a standard of 78kg) between the base and chapelle saint férréol (6.5 km from the top). they noted that contador and brajkpvic slowed down after that point due to head winds and had they maintained the same pace the time would be around 40:20.

very respectable but hardly an earth shattering performance.

Why on earth would they use 78Kg? Contador + Bike will come out at under 70.

 

[issoisso]

Why on earth would they use 78Kg? Contador + Bike will come out at under 70.

Riders have different weights and powers. Saying a rider's power was X and another's was Y is meaningless unless you adjust both for weight.

Vayer at cyclismag adjusts for a 70kg rider with an 8kg bike.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Riders have different weights and powers. Saying a rider's power was X and another's was Y is meaningless unless you adjust both for weight.

Vayer at cyclismag adjusts for a 70kg rider with an 8kg bike.

Thanks, I'm aware of the need to adjust, I'm just used to seeing a W/Kilo expression rather than converting everyone to a comparable rider who doesn't exist.

In any case, if a lardarse could match that performance with 40 minutes of 420, Contador's numbers were seriously normal up that hill.

 

[acoggan]

cyclismag (and they typically do a decent job timing climbs) agrees with you - 42:20.

they estimated power at 420 watts (for a standard of 78kg)

That's off by at least 5%, quite possibly more.

 

[Frosty]

For those of you who believe that Moncoutie is 100% clean, then his time in the 2004 time trial was almost exactly 40 minutes. Lemond finished 1.19 behind Fignon in 1989. I think im right in saying that they started the climb together giving Lemond a time of 43.09.

http://www.memoire-du-cyclisme.net/eta_tdf_1978_2005/tdf1989_17.php

There's no time for 1990 as well as 1992 and other years. Cant see one for 1999 either.

EDIT: This site gives an estimate of 410 watts for armstrong's 1999 climb. Not sure how that translates though

http://www.sportsscientists.com/2009/07/tour-de-france-2009-power-estimates.html

 

[Escarabajo]

For those of you who believe that Moncoutie is 100% clean, then his time in the 2004 time trial was almost exactly 40 minutes. Lemond finished 1.19 behind Fignon in 1989. I think im right in saying that they started the climb together giving Lemond a time of 43.09.

http://www.memoire-du-cyclisme.net/eta_tdf_1978_2005/tdf1989_17.php

There's no time for 1990 as well as 1992 and other years. Cant see one for 1999 either.

As you have said it, it was a TT. Not after a long stage. So maybe that made the difference. IMHO.

 

[Frosty]

As you have said it, it was a TT. Not after a long stage. So maybe that made the difference. IMHO.

Oh yes, its difficult to see how it wouldnt have had an impact. Legs would be less tired and you go all out all the way rather than having changes in pace. Just put it there in case anyone was interested.

 

[Juan Pelota]

Lance and Ullrich clocked 37 and 38 minutes in the 2004 MTT, as fast as Ullrich climbed it after riding a 100 miles to the base back in 1997, so am not sure distance ridden to the bottom of the climb affects the times so much. maybe we are seeing the bio-passport kick in?

Am 100% sure cycllismag has got the time wrong though...the climb start to the finish line was 41.40 apprx

It was super CROWDED that day on L'alpe. Fans got in the way. Also the TT started about 1.5 km before the climb began.

 

[hmronnow]

I believe in the summer there is at least one but probably several amateur races that go up Alpe d'Huez, straight from bourg. I could imagine some rather serious (although not protour) guys taking that on. Anyone know about this and what times are posted?