Obviously these guys are strong and flexible enough to maintain a position on a bike for 7 hours that many of us would find painful after 5 minutes but how exactly do these riders arrive at their positions on the bike?

The better-funded teams have access to wind tunnels, the best doctors (let's leave doping out of this thread :) ) and the help of major bike manufacturers with a vested interest in their products succeeding, but the bottom line is your butt has to be on a bike for three weeks against the world's best road racers. Power transfer, aerodynamics, comfort, and a ton of other factors come into play.

I guess I ask because some of the bikes and rider positions I've seen look a little funky, but clearly it works or they wouldn't be doing it.

I will go out on a limb and say that every rider in the TdF has seen wind tunnel time, as well as having had years of cycling with professional coaching to arrive at their current setup.

I will go out on a limb and say that every rider in the TdF has seen wind tunnel time

would be pretty cool...but no.

riding 25 000-30 000km a year gets your position dialled in very early in your career. That's all.

would be pretty cool...but no.

riding 25 000-30 000km a year gets your position dialled in very early in your career. That's all.

That and with the postions these guys manage on their bikes I'd wager they all have pretty amazing core/back strength, even the climbers.

That and with the postions these guys manage on their bikes I'd wager they all have pretty amazing core/back strength, even the climbers.


no more or less than other endurance athletes.

The physical strength required for elite road cycling and holding a set position is not very great (road racer = skinny) , but the MAP required, endurance and recovery ability is off the chart.

The physical strength required to accelerate a bike from walking pace to 70kmh in a few metres is much greater (track sprinter = huge thighs and buttocks), recovery and endurance not so important. Back strength phenomenal...some of these guys are squatting and DLing powerlifting numbers.

top names on top teams sure, but i seriously doubt that barloword or agritubel could afford it.


They're rolling to the start crammed into a leased Renault Espace....parking next to Quick Step's two coaches. :D