I tackled the problem of the Tour as if I were in math class, science class,chemistry class, and nutrition class, all rolled into one. I did computer calculations that balanced my body weight and my equipment weight with the potential velocity of the bike in various stages, trying to find the equation thatwould get me to the finish line faster than anybody else. I kept careful computer graphs of my training rides, calibrating the distances, wattages, and thresholds.
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Interestingly, the mathematical approach to training described by Armstrong in hisautobiography, and which he ascribes solely to his own personal innovation and having “geekedout,” is exactly the approach that the documents USADA has assembled indicate Michele Ferraritakes with his clients. As demonstrated by the documents capturing Ferrari’s owncommunications to Armstrong and other clients, Ferrari’s focus is unremittingly upon thenumbers, upon the calculation of power ratios and wattages and thresholds.
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