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Tadej Pogacar and Mauro Giannetti

Page 245 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
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It tells us how ridiculous Ian Thorpe's time was, when it's pretty much the only pre super suit era PB in any discipline, across both genders, that can't be beaten by anyone today. Paul Biederman beat it by that one hundredth of a second at those crazy Rome championships, but two days later he massacred the WR in the 200m, and set a time which was 2 seconds faster than Thorpe ever swam.
It's fair to point out that Thorpe also swam in a full body suit, which presumably he didn't just do for the style but for the reduction in drag - and he struggled considerably on his attempted comeback when he had to wear just shorts.

It does seem like 400m was probably a sweet spot where the buoyancy/drag gains from the suits outweighed their disadvantages (constriction of breathing, friction against skin etc).

Martens (Paris gold medalist) has come within three tenths of a second of breaking the record this year, which isn't bad going while in shorts - certainly I doubt the record will last another 15 years.
 
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It's fair to point out that Thorpe also swam in a full body suit, which presumably he didn't just do for the style but for the reduction in drag - and he struggled considerably on his attempted comeback when he had to wear just shorts.

It does seem like 400m was probably a sweet spot where the buoyancy/drag gains from the suits outweighed their disadvantages (constriction of breathing, friction against skin etc).

Martens (Paris gold medalist) has come within three tenths of a second of breaking the record this year, which isn't bad going while in shorts - certainly I doubt the record will last another 15 years.

The ridiculous was also meant to praise Thorpe for that performance, cause he had great technique, apart from having an advantage over his competitors due to his suit. There's of course also some doping accusations against him, but whether he was doing anything the others weren't doing at the time, is a different question.

The 400m record is definitely more likely to be broken soon than the 200m, unless Pan Zhanle, or the next big thing after him, one day manages to put the perfect swim together on that distance.
 
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It's fair to point out that Thorpe also swam in a full body suit, which presumably he didn't just do for the style but for the reduction in drag - and he struggled considerably on his attempted comeback when he had to wear just shorts.

It does seem like 400m was probably a sweet spot where the buoyancy/drag gains from the suits outweighed their disadvantages (constriction of breathing, friction against skin etc).

Martens (Paris gold medalist) has come within three tenths of a second of breaking the record this year, which isn't bad going while in shorts - certainly I doubt the record will last another 15 years.

He struggled because he was 10 years older. When Thorpe was at his peak he was revered by people who know about swimming no matter what their nationality. You can’t gain that technique with doping - or a suit. Then he also had huge feet which might have helped him on the last lap when the 6 beat kick comes in. An amazing swimmer.

In the video the British guy points out had Thorpe not had such a long glide to the wall he might have gone sub 3'40".

the technique is basically flawless

Ian Thorpe 400m freestyle world record
 
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I did perhaps sound a bit harsh about Thorpe, which wasn't my intention, more simply to make the point that his unbeatable PB was assisted by a suit that is also now illegal in the sport.

He did break the then world record in tiny speedos back in 1999 (3:41:83) so of course there was a lot more to him as a swimmer than simply the suit (and massive feet).
 
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I did perhaps sound a bit harsh about Thorpe, which wasn't my intention, more simply to make the point that his unbeatable PB was assisted by a suit that is also now illegal in the sport.

He did break the then world record in tiny speedos back in 1999 (3:41:83) so of course there was a lot more to him as a swimmer than simply the suit (and massive feet).
Your second paragraph is why we know it wasn't the suit.
 
He will end like Armstrong.
Big call. What connections does Gianetti have and why are Visma falling short? We will see.

But you seem to have changed your POV. No doubt your boy will be overlooked? My doper is less guilty than your doper?

Personally I am still flabbergasted at Vingegaard’s level at the Tour after his April disaster. Every bit as crazy as injury free Pog.
 
Big call. What connections does Gianetti have and why are Visma falling short? We will see.

But you seem to have changed your POV. No doubt your boy will be overlooked? My doper is less guilty than your doper?

Personally I am still flabbergasted at Vingegaard’s level at the Tour after his April disaster. Every bit as crazy as injury free Pog.
Vinge and Visma the biggest fraudsters. Never forget Combloux and the Lazazrus effect this year. INSANE
 
So Gianetti and co hid Teddy in a basement after way too spectacular first half of the season. Smart. Doing the Vuelta would infuriate his own teammates (and you don't want enemies in your own team). Winning the WC with ease, considering what he's already done this year, would cause more frustration in the peleton though so maybe it's not a bad idea to hide the golden boy until the next spring!
 
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So Gianetti and co hid Teddy in a basement after way too spectacular first half of the season. Smart. Doing the Vuelta would infuriate his own teammates (and you don't want enemies in your own team). Winning the WC with ease, considering what he's already done this year, would cause more frustration in the peleton though so maybe it's not a bad idea to hide the golden boy until the next spring!
Perhaps the peloton should just get gud, rather than sound like kids who's candy got stolen.
 
Do we have any objective data that confirms this? The industry make a lot of grandiose claims but never mention independent tests. In the late 80s there was a lot of hype over aero gains too.

Bikes are a little faster uphill but most of the gains compared to today's bikes are made at higher speeds than you get on a mountain. Aero and tyres won't account for 3 minutes in a 40 minute climb like PdB. Remember when Pantani set the previous PdB record he was likely on unrestricted EPO. At 22km/h the difference between an old jersey and today's is minimal. On flat and descents sure. But not on an 8% climb.

And there is mountains of evidence online that Pantani's bike was under 7kg so that is line ball with today's bikes.

for tyres we most certainly do, just check the differences even among modern tyres now, every new model that comes out is faster, would love if they tested old tyres, lets not forget the gearing, what was Pantani riding 23 cassete ? we have independent test, check tour magazine that test almost every bike in wind tunnel.
I disagree, i think overall new package can get you this much faster
 
Im talking bike specifically. Clothing, sure, the tyres are definitely also a small amount faster uphill, the diet is another ballgame completely. Anyone who just laughs at that don't really understand fueling and how much it has involved, BUT I have yet to be convinced a super 00's bike like the Trek Madone is so, so inferior to modern disc bikes uphill as some people have a vested interest in making us believe.
the tyres are the biggest gain, nobody talked about rolling resistance even 10 years ago
 
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Faster bikes, better diets, more advanced training, better equipment, ect. We were spun this tripe by US Postal, and it was proven to be a smokescreen.

Yes, things have advanced somewhat, but I don't believe any amount of modern equipment and training can totally account for these alien times we are now witnessing on climbs. There must be more to it than that. It's all in the mind and body.

Lemond stated he never exceeded 400 watts; today's cyclists are doing this regularly, and that is telling.

well if Lemond 30 years ago couldnt do it than everybody else is doping right;
 
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well if Lemond 30 years ago couldnt do it than everybody else is doping right;
Yes, that is the general idea; it's not proof or an accusation, but it's a point worth considering.

It must be noted that in the article, it states that Lemond began using a power meter in 1992, when he may have been in decline and possibly not producing quite as much power as he once did.
 
the tyres are the biggest gain, nobody talked about rolling resistance even 10 years ago
Thanks for the info. But I recall very clearly that people were talking about rolling resistance in the early 1990s - even earlier when clinchers started eating into a market dominated by tubulars. But it does stand out in that table that ever wider isn’t necessarily faster. The 2nd ranked tyre by rolling resistance is 25mm.

Good 25mm tyres can still be fast. And why isn't aero drag in that table? Aero drag is CdA. Frontal area is half the drag. I use 25mm and the data you shared confirms I’ve made a good choice and don’t need to rush out to buy anything wider. Not interested in comfort.
 
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Thanks for the info. But I recall very clearly that people were talking about rolling resistance in the early 1990s - even earlier when clinchers started eating into a market dominated by tubulars. But it does stand out in that table that ever wider isn’t necessarily faster. The 2nd ranked tyre by rolling resistance is 25mm.

Good 25mm tyres can still be fast. And why isn't aero drag in that table? Aero drag is CdA. Frontal area is half the drag. I use 25mm and the data you shared confirms I’ve made a good choice and don’t need to rush out to buy anything wider. Not interested in comfort.
really ? do you have any links about cycling rolling resistance in the 1990, i have been in the industry since about 2000 and have never heard about that in that time. I am not even talking about wider is faster I am talking about manufacturers starting to really work on reducing RR; I am quite convinced difference betwen Pantani tyres and conti GP 5000 is at least 10 watts per tyre ( I believe its much more, they had regular butyl tubes back than in tubular). The fastest tubular with latex inner tube right now (after 30 years) is about 5 watts slower than conti GP 5000.
BTW I agree with you in second paragraph; wider is only faster if you pump it to the same PSI; i ride 23 front that measures 25mm on rim.
 
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really ? do you have any links about cycling rolling resistance in the 1990, i have been in the industry since about 2000 and have never heard about that in that time. I am not even talking about wider is faster I am talking about manufacturers starting to really work on reducing RR; I am quite convinced difference betwen Pantani tyres and conti GP 5000 is at least 10 watts per tyre ( I believe its much more, they had regular butyl tubes back than in tubular). The fastest tubular with latex inner tube right now (after 30 years) is about 5 watts slower than conti GP 5000.
BTW I agree with you in second paragraph; wider is only faster if you pump it to the same PSI; i ride 23 front that measures 25mm on rim.
Yes there were articles, including in magazines of that time (I started in the sport about 1986). I am sure if you search you will find stuff to support what I claimed.
 
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