These numbers, plus the closeness of the final results, lead me to believe either: (1) Schleck and Contador are lazy sandbaggers conniving to rig the results or (2) Current performance enhancement techniques (be it drugs or training methods) are not as effective as they were from 1998-2007.
Still, 5.9 w/kg for 50 minutes at the end of THAT stage ... I've got no complaints about them not giving their all.
Al...I think it the later. I think that Landis making a stink at the ToC and then WSJ running the article adjacent to the TdF starting caused many to ride much "cleaner" than in years past. Hard enough to explain bags of cold blood in a cooler, backpack or moto bags.
It does beg the question about what we saw with Levi, Lance and crew. While Horner did very well it appears that Levi and Lance were out of their normal placings. Hitting the ground at 60 kph can take a toll that we cannot account for but one buddy begged this question that I echoed on Facebook: Did we witness a 7 time dominant TdF rider that is just too old to compete or did we witness the same rider without exogenous aide? Either way, he is still a warrior but to shoot for 6.7 w/kg in the past vs 6.2 w/kg sustained now with "improved training" techniques, nutrition, etc... Sort of like Landis' last climbing day when he won. We won't see much like that with the Passport and current doping controls in place.
That was epic watching Schlek and AC duel it out. I was standing in my living room yelling at the TV and my 6 year old boy was yelling "Go Shrek, Go...Daddy why isn't he Green?"
That was epic watching Schlek and AC duel it out. I was standing in my living room yelling at the TV and my 6 year old boy was yelling "Go Shrek, Go...Daddy why isn't he Green?"
That's it, from now on I'm going to call him Andy Shrek. (only green face available)
@Nemo, don't take offense of this with your ProTour bf.
Comments
Yep, been reading it, excellent examination and discussion.
These numbers, plus the closeness of the final results, lead me to believe either: (1) Schleck and Contador are lazy sandbaggers conniving to rig the results or (2) Current performance enhancement techniques (be it drugs or training methods) are not as effective as they were from 1998-2007.
Still, 5.9 w/kg for 50 minutes at the end of THAT stage ... I've got no complaints about them not giving their all.
It does beg the question about what we saw with Levi, Lance and crew. While Horner did very well it appears that Levi and Lance were out of their normal placings. Hitting the ground at 60 kph can take a toll that we cannot account for but one buddy begged this question that I echoed on Facebook: Did we witness a 7 time dominant TdF rider that is just too old to compete or did we witness the same rider without exogenous aide? Either way, he is still a warrior but to shoot for 6.7 w/kg in the past vs 6.2 w/kg sustained now with "improved training" techniques, nutrition, etc... Sort of like Landis' last climbing day when he won. We won't see much like that with the Passport and current doping controls in place.
That was epic watching Schlek and AC duel it out. I was standing in my living room yelling at the TV and my 6 year old boy was yelling "Go Shrek, Go...Daddy why isn't he Green?"
Vince
That's it, from now on I'm going to call him Andy Shrek.
(only green face available)
@Nemo, don't take offense of this with your ProTour bf.