Don't confuse a low handlebar position and a stretched out handlebar position. Greg Lemond applied the stretched out position of European road race bikes into his bike designs. Many people, myself included find this long cockpit design more comfortable on longer rides than the more upright position of a short top tube design. My Bridgestone RB-1 also has a longish top tube so I am streched forward more than on some bikes, even though my handlebars are relatively high (about 1" below seat level).