Road Cycling - Pros getting older???

I was watching OLN tonight and noticed that several of the Pro Riders are older... I saw guys at the age of 37 and 38.. What Happened???
I mean look at Andy Hampsten, Alexi Greywald, Pedro Delgado, all those guys retired when they were young....
Was cycling more demanding back in the Greg LeMond era or are todays cyclist realizing that they can continue longer???
Just curious is all....
Not to mention I would love to hear all of you wise guys explanation to this...
I am sure you will give me good reasons LOL :D

the northern classics are usually won by older riders. i guess experience helps. gilbert duclos-lasalle was in his 40s when he retired [i think he won paris-roubaix at 39, or something], and i think gino bartali was 38 or 39 when he retired. i don't think this is such a new trend.

Cipo isn't doing so well at 38. Maybe it's just a ruse.

I was thinking the same thing. But with the use of technology and solid training plans, I think people can compete a lot longer than the olden days.

Koffee

As velo said, this is nothing new.

As velo said, this is nothing new.
If its nothing new, what happened to Andy Hampsten, Pedro Delgado, Alexi Greywald and the guys from that era? Hampsten has to be in in his mid 30's Greywald is probably in his late 30's and Delgado around that same age.
Top cyclists from that era arent competing anymore, Hampsten has a school or training center or something like that somewhere over seas, who cares about Greywald, But Delgado was a good rider also, he won the TDF once to my knowledge but why arent any of these guys riding the TDF anymore, I am guessing on their ages compaired to my age

Jeanne Longo is past 40, 43 I think, and she just keeps hammering along, winning quite often on the women's side.

If its nothing new, what happened to Andy Hampsten, Pedro Delgado, Alexi Greywald and the guys from that era? Hampsten has to be in in his mid 30's Greywald is probably in his late 30's and Delgado around that same age.
Top cyclists from that era arent competing anymore, Hampsten has a school or training center or something like that somewhere over seas, who cares about Greywald, But Delgado was a good rider also, he won the TDF once to my knowledge but why arent any of these guys riding the TDF anymore, I am guessing on their ages compaired to my age

Well, Andy is 42 now. Delgado is 44.

Not all pros will be riding at 40. As Velo said, DuClos-Lasalle and Bartali were in their late 30s when they retired. There are a few 37 and 38 year old riders in the pro peloton. There's always been though.

I think Koffee hit it on the head. You're seeing it in all sports. Better nutrition, training and tecnology are allowing pro atheltes of all flavors extended careers.

Actually I don't think that there are any more olders riders in the peloton now than there were 10 or 20 years ago.

I'll eat my words if anyone can provide documentation showing that I'm wrong.

Better nutrition, training and tecnology are allowing pro atheltes of all flavors extended careers.

and better drugs.

and better drugs.


and better smarter administration of said drugs

A cyclist friend who rides with the local bike club, ran into Hampstein on the Oceanside bike trail..
Said he looked really grey(hair) . Must have had his helmet off...(lots of pros race/train these parts.)They said Hampstein was with a group and all having their O2 max. being checked out..But he was with really young racers, and they said Hampstein was hammering as hard as anyone else.....

Joop Zoetemelt won the world Championships I think in his early 40's.

Well, Andy is 42 now. Delgado is 44.

Not all pros will be riding at 40. As Velo said, DuClos-Lasalle and Bartali were in their late 30s when they retired. There are a few 37 and 38 year old riders in the pro peloton. There's always been though.
Ahhhhhh that splains it, I thought Andy was in his late 30's, because when he was riding for 7/11 in the mid 80's I thought he was younger than I.. and I am now 40 so i figured him to be in his late 30,s.
Tyhanks for clarifying that for me Laggard :)