Originally Posted by
ultraman6970
The pros handle big heavy gears as they were butter. Since 99.9% of the population uses 53x12 at 50 rpms to go like 35 km/h (and they think they are super strong and fast) are simply wrong, these guys go in the peloton pedaling 100 to 120 rpms all the time, in a final sprint probably they get over 200 rpm easily.
With that level of BS you should join Phil and Paul. Cavendish might get up to 120. Andre Greipel will shift up around 120RPM.
A good reference on speeds was the TTT yesterday. Average speed with 9 guys on TT bikes was under 60kph. Granted they were going for 25min but without a tailwind or downhill I wouldn't expect significantly higher speeds in the final 5-10k of a road race.
Of course, we'll be able to settle this discussion tomorrow when they post actual race data (not motorcycle speedo shots).