"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Aren't speeds of 23-28mph for 17mile flat TT slow for the pros?

On Amgen's TOC web site, the "host" says that he expects the pros to do a "relatively flat" time trial in 23-28mph speeds. That sounds a tad slow to me for pros. I'd expect speeds of about 30mph for a distance that short. Am I completely off on that?

I know that the UMCA's record for a road century (100 miles) was 23.985 mph, set by Dan McGehee. Regardless of whether that was a flat road, if he can average basically 24mph for 100 miles, can't the pros do better than that for 17? (Yes, I know wind is a factor, but the Amgen guy said he didn't expect much wind).

(Edit: BTW, McGehee did the record in 80 degree weather, breaking the record he set in 95 (!!!) degree weather of 23.89mph)

yeah, that does seem pretty slow to me. in fact, i could probably be within that range by the middle of summer if i focused my training a bit.

Yes, for them. Zabriskie did 33+mph in Stage 1 of the TDF last year (albeit for 11 and 1/2 miles).

Might have something to do with last three days of hard racing...

here is the profile:

http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/docroot/images/stage3_profile.gif

Yes, that's slow..heck, I can average 24mph for 17 miles on flats with no winds, and that's on my road bike too.

It is slow for a flat TT but todays TT has a few climbs in it and one mst remember that winds play a huge role in the overall speeds.

Winning speed today was 28.33mph avg, .... i don't think anyone on this forum could do that on this course.

Winning speed today was 28.33mph avg, .... i don't think anyone on this forum could do that on this course.

I could do the course that fast on average if the course was only as long as the actual profile drawing from above. I would be fun to go first and see how many of the riders catch me. "Oh look, Wegmann just caught his 119 minute man!"

They said it was very windy today.

I would hardly call that flat. Of course the times are going to be slower with two climbs (albeit small ones) at the beginning. I'm sure there was wind as well.

Winning speed today was 28.33mph avg, .... i don't think anyone on this forum could do that on this course.

I could if I was driving my truck. :D

Avg speed means nothing, 'cept for the velodrome.

Trust me, the pros are getting paid for a reason.

Yes, for them. Zabriskie did 33+mph in Stage 1 of the TDF last year (albeit for 11 and 1/2 miles).

"Z"also went out early and had a slight tail wind that died later on in the day for the other riders.

yeah, that does seem pretty slow to me. in fact, i could probably be within that range by the middle of summer if i focused my training a bit.

Really?

Really?

that was before i looked at the profile. i was still under the impression that it was a flat course. i would gather i *might* be able to do this course in the high teens.

here is the profile:

http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/docroot/images/stage3_profile.gif
Yes, this is what some folks consider to be a "flatish" course. I have also heard commentary that today's course through Big Sur is "relativley flat." I doubt if any of us would consider it "relatively flat." No sustained bazillion-mile climbs, but non-stop up-and-down for 50 miles or more. Nothing like a day of never-ending intervals to get the ol' blood pumping, huh?

I do that ride pretty much 2x a week and the wind is horrible. At times you are going 12-15 mph with your HR at 180. It is brutal plus add in the 3 big climbs and man you are working way too hard. I was amazed they avg that fast I was predicting high teens but low to mid 20's is screaming fast.

here's a pic from the top of the first climb where i photographed the riders. you can see the start house below.

it's a hard course.

erader

http://www.fototime.com/8EA3290ED9D203C/orig.jpg

Holy crap

here's a pic from the top of the first climb where i photographed the riders. you can see the start house below.

it's a hard course.

erader

http://www.fototime.com/8EA3290ED9D203C/orig.jpg


Awesome picture!!

thanks. here's a pic of landis as he stormed past me at the top of the first climb.

erader

http://www.fototime.com/B1FE5AD7F070355/orig.jpg

thanks. here's a pic of landis as he stormed past me at the top of the first climb.

erader

http://www.fototime.com/B1FE5AD7F070355/orig.jpg

Great shot!

Awesome pics! Do you have more?