Professional Cycling - Riding Posture of TDF Riders

Their position doesn't seem all that aggressive. The difference in saddle height to stem height is not extreme. I've seen much bigger differences on some of my club members bikes. A lot of stems look like they angle upwards. I assume that a comfortable posture is important given the length of the tour.

Most major teams have both aerodynamicists and biomechanics experts on staff, or at least on hire. They've all refined their position and style to be the best compromise of aero, power and endurance, you can bet the house on that.

1) I bet if you actually measured the drop on some of the bikes, its more than it might appear.

2) You don't want a super aggressive position for 19 days of 100 mile plus rides. A little more upright is lot more comfortable rolling along in the group, and you bend your elbows when you need to be low.

I guess when you are in a peleton or being pulled along by your domestique, it's not as critical either.

If you want to see agressive positions look at the guys in the breakaways, not the peleton. They are riding usually 50km or more with completely flat backs. Bent elbows are where it's at.

Their position doesn't seem all that aggressive. The difference in saddle height to stem height is not extreme. I've seen much bigger differences on some of my club members bikes. A lot of stems look like they angle upwards. I assume that a comfortable posture is important given the length of the tour.

the positions have become more relaxed in the past few years. you'll notice now that almost all the guys have their bars rolled forward and their levers higher which effectively raises the bars and shortens reach.

ed rader

Indeed, the geometery of bikes has changed. More power over longer hauls can be generated from a less aggressive stance.

As has already been pointed out. Ideal position for 3 weeks and 2k miles of cycling is far different from ideal position for a 45 minute + 5 laps crit.

1) I bet if you actually measured the drop on some of the bikes, its more than it might appear.

2) You don't want a super aggressive position for 19 days of 100 mile plus rides. A little more upright is lot more comfortable rolling along in the group, and you bend your elbows when you need to be low.

I was thinking it might be an optical illusion due to the camera angles.

I think people would be surprised to how racing bikes have changed over the years. Seat angles have gotten more relaxed and top tube lengths have gotten longer since the 70s/80s.