Originally Posted by
operator
Sprinters are putting out what.. 2000w in the TDF sprints? Something around that neighbourhood?
No. The top track sprinters can put out around 2100w for a few seconds. But they are too heavily muscled to be remotely competitive in a road race. Cavendish was an endurance rider on the track, not a sprinter. He's a little guy who generates his speed by a very aero position and great technique, his estimated power in a sprint at the end of a stage is only about 1200w. Greipel is more powerful, estimates have him at maybe 1400-1500w.