Originally Posted by Zouf
Ok, just one last number to compare - TTT at the Tour. 67.5 km (42.2 miles), winning team (Disco, of course) did 1:10.39, for 57.3 km/h (35.8 mph). Last team (AG2R) did 53.6 km/h (33.5 mph). Aero bikes, the whole thing. The first 40 kms on the flat, with a tailwind; last 20 kms a bit more technical, some rollers, crosswind. So if your mid-week rides maintain 33 mph no sweat on 40 miles runs, there are a lot of pro teams waiting to sign your group on.
Nobody here has said that their group AVERAGES 33 mph, many have said they paceline that fast. When you account for warmup, stoplights and signs, traffic etc you may end up with 25-28 (still crazy fast). What that pro number tells you is they are pacelining along at 40 mph to get an average of 35.8.