This is a graph of the GC's average speeds in the TdF going back to 1937, the year derailleurs were introduced to the TdF.
The speeds trended upward at a normal dispersion until the early 1960s, when they leveled out for more than 20 years. They remained fairly regular until the late 1980s except for the anomalous spikes at 1971 (Merckx #3) and 1981 & 82 (Hinault #s 3&4).
The first GC to average 36 kph was Roger Walkowiak in 1956.The fastest earlier finish was 34.6 kph.
Four years later, in 1960, Gastone Nencini became the first GC to average 37 kph.
Eleven years later, in 1971, Eddy Merckx became the first GC to average 38 kph. It was Merckx third win of an eventual five (1969-72, 1974) and the only one averaging more than 36 kph.
Twenty-one years later, in 1992, Miguel Indurain became the first GC to average 39 kph. It was Indurain's second win of an eventual five (1991-1995). He averaged 39.0 kph +/- 0.504 kph in all five of his wins.
The second place finishers 1991-1995 averaged 38.72, 39.47, 38.67, 38.35, 39.16 kph.
Four years later, in 1999, Lance Pharmstrong became the first GC to average 40 kph. For the next six years, his average speed was 40.0 kph +/- 0.5 except 2005, which was 41.654 kph, the fastest TdF in history.
The second place finishers 1999-2005 averaged 40.22, 39.52, 40.03, 39.83, 40.94, 40.51 and 41.62 kph. Not only was Pharmstrong's slowest average speed faster than Indurain's fastest, the slowest average speed of his second place finisher (Ullrich, 1990) was faster than Indurain's fastest average GC speed.
2006 was back to 40 kph +/- 0.5 but 2007 -- the year after the FLandis debacle -- was the first race since 1994 to average slower than 39 kph. Did fear of suffering FLandis' fate cause them all to dope more conservatively?
1956, 36 kph
1960, 37 kph
1971, 38 kph
1992, 39 kph
1999, 40 kph
2005, 41 kph
I think Lemond of late has been an embarrassment to the sport but I have to agree with him on one point. I can't look at these numbers and not conclude that the GC contenders, ASchleck included, all are doped to the gills.
The speeds trended upward at a normal dispersion until the early 1960s, when they leveled out for more than 20 years. They remained fairly regular until the late 1980s except for the anomalous spikes at 1971 (Merckx #3) and 1981 & 82 (Hinault #s 3&4).
The first GC to average 36 kph was Roger Walkowiak in 1956.The fastest earlier finish was 34.6 kph.
Four years later, in 1960, Gastone Nencini became the first GC to average 37 kph.
Eleven years later, in 1971, Eddy Merckx became the first GC to average 38 kph. It was Merckx third win of an eventual five (1969-72, 1974) and the only one averaging more than 36 kph.
Twenty-one years later, in 1992, Miguel Indurain became the first GC to average 39 kph. It was Indurain's second win of an eventual five (1991-1995). He averaged 39.0 kph +/- 0.504 kph in all five of his wins.
The second place finishers 1991-1995 averaged 38.72, 39.47, 38.67, 38.35, 39.16 kph.
Four years later, in 1999, Lance Pharmstrong became the first GC to average 40 kph. For the next six years, his average speed was 40.0 kph +/- 0.5 except 2005, which was 41.654 kph, the fastest TdF in history.
The second place finishers 1999-2005 averaged 40.22, 39.52, 40.03, 39.83, 40.94, 40.51 and 41.62 kph. Not only was Pharmstrong's slowest average speed faster than Indurain's fastest, the slowest average speed of his second place finisher (Ullrich, 1990) was faster than Indurain's fastest average GC speed.
2006 was back to 40 kph +/- 0.5 but 2007 -- the year after the FLandis debacle -- was the first race since 1994 to average slower than 39 kph. Did fear of suffering FLandis' fate cause them all to dope more conservatively?
1956, 36 kph
1960, 37 kph
1971, 38 kph
1992, 39 kph
1999, 40 kph
2005, 41 kph
I think Lemond of late has been an embarrassment to the sport but I have to agree with him on one point. I can't look at these numbers and not conclude that the GC contenders, ASchleck included, all are doped to the gills.
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