Savoldelli descents
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 225
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Savoldelli descents
We've all read that The Falcon is a superb descender and he proved that on the penultimate stage of the Giro. But I'm curious . . . what exactly does he do on the descents that the others don't do? Hold the line better? Tuck into a more aerodynamic position? Take more chances? It's not weight because he is about 150 lbs. And why can't the other world class riders emulate his technique?
#2
Elitist Jackass
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Georgia
Posts: 3,262
Bikes: Cannondale 2.8, Specialized S-works E5 road, GT Talera
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
He is better at finding the limits of traction, and more comfortable riding there than most. He probably sees the line through the corner better than most, and is able to keep his CG or weight where it needs to be. Similar to auto or motorcycle racers.
I bet if any of us followed him on the same equipment, we'd slide out and crash where he would simply ride away.
I'm sure he has crashed himself into oblivion on more than one occasion, as this common when one pushes the limits.
I bet if any of us followed him on the same equipment, we'd slide out and crash where he would simply ride away.
I'm sure he has crashed himself into oblivion on more than one occasion, as this common when one pushes the limits.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 6,410
Bikes: Scapin EOS7 sloping, 10v Record, Ksyriums
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
He's just superb at going downhill.....comfortable on the limit of adhesion and balance. Sean Yates was the same.....could descend like a stone.
#4
Senior Member (Retired)
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Great North Woods
Posts: 2,671
Bikes: Vittorio, Centaur triple; Casati Laser Piu, Chorus Triple.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by ed073
Sean Yates was the same.....could descend like a stone.
#5
Cheers!
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Woodinville
Posts: 1,284
Bikes: Scott Addict R15, Cadd 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Paul Sherwin asked Yates in one of the TDF's how he was able to descend so quickly (he had bridged almost a 2min gap on a long decent to catch the leaders) he stated that he would concentrate on the motorbikes and watch how much they lean to give him a good idea on the corners. He was an avid biker with and without an engine
__________________
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Centennial, Colorado
Posts: 220
Bikes: 1999 LeMond Zurich and 2004 Giant OCR Touring
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was wondering the same thing. It is amazing that there can be that much difference amongst the pros. I would think they would all be much closer. After what Paolo did, he should write a book about how to descend faster. I would probably buy it because I love to go fast down the hills and would like to be better at it. I think Smoothie is right about us crashing while taking the same exact line that Paolo does. That means it has to do a lot with technique.
Last edited by Belugadave; 06-02-05 at 12:04 AM. Reason: spelling
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It is my understainding that both Landis and Armstrong are good to great descenders. After the 19th (?) stage, where Landis took a flyer off the top after leading up the climb, Landis tried to get away from Ullrich et al. However, they were able to chase him down, in part because you also had to ride a hard pace not just descend. Ullrich was surprised when Landis did not work with him to finish ahead of the other three (A, B, K).
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: n.w. superdrome
Posts: 17,687
Bikes: 1 trek, serotta, rih, de Reus, Pogliaghi and finally a Zieleman! and got a DeRosa
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
9 Posts
and Ulrich is NOT a great descender. Evidence the 2002 (?) tour
where he missed a turn and ended up in a ditch.
I bet even Jan would leave most of us scrabbling
along the tarmac as he just rode away on a descent.
Il Falco is something else.
where he missed a turn and ended up in a ditch.
I bet even Jan would leave most of us scrabbling
along the tarmac as he just rode away on a descent.
Il Falco is something else.
__________________
Sono pił lento di quel che sembra.
Odio la gente, tutti.
Want to upgrade your membership? Click Here.
Sono pił lento di quel che sembra.
Odio la gente, tutti.
Want to upgrade your membership? Click Here.
#9
Since Ever Since
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,575
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by lotek
and Ulrich is NOT a great descender. Evidence the 2002 (?) tour
where he missed a turn and ended up in a ditch.
I bet even Jan would leave most of us scrabbling
along the tarmac as he just rode away on a descent.
Il Falco is something else.
where he missed a turn and ended up in a ditch.
I bet even Jan would leave most of us scrabbling
along the tarmac as he just rode away on a descent.
Il Falco is something else.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Seminole, FL
Posts: 2,258
Bikes: Guru Geneo, Specialized Roubaix Pro, Guru chron 'alu, Specialized Sequoia
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by cedo
We've all read that The Falcon is a superb descender and he proved that on the penultimate stage of the Giro. But I'm curious . . . what exactly does he do on the descents that the others don't do? Hold the line better? Tuck into a more aerodynamic position? Take more chances? It's not weight because he is about 150 lbs. And why can't the other world class riders emulate his technique?
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 6,410
Bikes: Scapin EOS7 sloping, 10v Record, Ksyriums
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by skydive69
It's called "cajones." That's what he has in abundance!
What's cajones?
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Seminole, FL
Posts: 2,258
Bikes: Guru Geneo, Specialized Roubaix Pro, Guru chron 'alu, Specialized Sequoia
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by ed073
What's cajones?
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 6,410
Bikes: Scapin EOS7 sloping, 10v Record, Ksyriums
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by skydive69
Spanish for balls!
gotcha.
Muchas gracias.