Tadej Pogacar at 111th TDF could be the greatest professional cyclists of all time

Wheels of Happiness

From Velo Power analysis: Tadej Pogacar

The article analyzed the climb at Stage 15, Plateu de Beille.   It was an impressive 7 watts /kg.  It was compared to another rider with a little over 5.8 watts/kg.   And the difference in time was 6 minutes.  That was how massive the output of Tadej was.  He could be out of this world.

And when you are noticed like that, and its that outstanding, people ask about doping. 

Training for  TDF

  

111st TDF casts a long shadow on the rest of bikedom in the days to come

Wheels of Happiness

 The 111sth edition of Tour de France ended at Nice yesterday with Tadej Pogacar winning the latest stage 21 as the first with a minute advantage over his rival.  Because of this manufacturer pour in big marketing budget in this event:    sponsorship, uniforms, equipment etc.  Because the whole world will see.   Hence the dominance of Colnago in frameset, Shimano in group set, Specialized, etc.  

The tour does not end there but iits influence will be felt in the days to come:

1.   Shorter crank at 165 vs the 170 ++ being currently used now;

2.    The seated climbs

3.   Larger chain rungs, 54 up to 60.

4.   1 by chain rings

Pogi made climbing the mountain stages look very easy, as if just biking on flat.   

Many of us will ape Pogi and how the others GC contenders.   

All ready I can see improvements in my biking by using bigger chain ring. 

How about you, what will you copy/benchmark from the Tour de France

Tadej Pogacar takes back yellow jersey at Stage 4 of Tour de France (TDF update)

Wheels of Happiness

Tadej Pogacar, the two time TDF winner, took back the yellow jersey from Carapaz after beating Jonas in a mountain stage yesterday.    He showed his mastery over his rivals in this brutal mountain stage.

Economics of Tour de France

Wheels of Happiness

It is shrouded in secrecy.  But caravans consisting of trucks advertising their goods and giving out promo items, spend up to $600,000 to join the caravan.  The caravan might be a km long and take 30- minutes to finish.  

A team can spend up to $20M for the tour:  bike, team vehicles, riders salaries.

LCL pays $4 -10M for so that their name is in the yellow jersey.

Revenues of TDF ranges from $50 - $100M.  Big deal eh?

Guessing revenues of Tour de France

• 34 staff members (mechanics, drivers, sports doctors, nutritionists)
• 55 bikes (6 per rider), at ~$13k each
• 80 spare wheels, 82 spare cassettes, and 57 spare chains
• 4,360 energy gels and bars + 3,300 water bottles
• 40 bottles of massage cream
• 100 rolls of bar tape (changed every 4 days)
• 5 air purifiers, 9 AC units, and 9 dehumidifiers

All in, today’s top-level cycling teams can easily exceed a $20m annua

5 best bikes for 2016

Wheels of Happiness

Five best bikes for 2016 -  high tech, high te

1.  Trek Madone (only 950 grams.  Whole bike weight only 7000 grams) Has specially Bontrager brakes integrated into the frame

2.  Cervelo R3

3.   Trek Venge (over 1000 grams carbon fiber frame

4.  Scott (only 13 lbs for full bike)

Chris Froome, another Brit, wins l00 Tour de France

Real Cyclists

Repost from ESPN Sports July 21, 2013

Eric Froome is the second Brit to win the Tour de France; last year it was Sir Bradley Wiggins; who unfortunately did not join this year's tour due to injuries.  He is a member of the Sky Team and his victory shows the strong following of cycling in UK.

Froome won the 8th stage at Pyrenees and never relinquished the lead.

His winning margin of 4 minutes 20 secs was the largest since 1997.  In the late afternoon finish that bathed the Champ Elysees in yellow golden light was the first.

TDF tracker

Tour de France Stage 8 insights

Real Cyclists

If you want to imagine climbing the mountain stages of Tour de France you have to watch this video.  It does not look that difficult.  So they use compact gears for this stage 50 x 34 chain rings?

Tour de France Stage 13 insights

Real Cyclists


 How does stage to Mt. Ventoux look like. Find out from this video

How does a TDF team bus look like

Real Cyclists

Let us take a tour of the Astana team bus.  Would Recyclists be able to invest in one?  Ha6

Stage 18 insights of Tour de France

Real Cyclists

If you want to imagining climbing the Alp de Huez, one of the toughest stage of TDF is to watch this video:

Tour de France TT

Real Cyclists

From You tube

Assembling Marcel Kittles Yellow Felt Bike

Real Cyclists

Here is a You Tube video on the assembly of Marcel Kittle's yellow bike;  he won the stage l of Tour de France

Tour de France starts with chaotic bus crash, Kittel wins, Contador crashes

Real Cyclists

A bus stalls at the finish line of the opening stage of Tour de France in Corsica;   Contador crashes, and Kittel wins stage one of TDF.

Tour de France: Watch Stage 5 live | Exclusive online show

From: ITV Sport <sport@email.itv.com>
Date: Wed, Jul 3, 2013 at 8:25 PM
Subject: Tour de France: Watch Stage 5 live | Exclusive online show

Can't see your ITV Cycling email? Click here      Home     |    Stages     |    News     |    Features     |    Standings     |    Riders     |    Race guide     |    TV schedule Tour de France Watch live coverage of a fiendish Stage 5 plus the latest news, features and interviews FROM OUR SPONSOR ITV Player Premium Get more Tour with extra live coverage of every stage in our Live Events stream Subscribe now The Broom Wagon Join the experts live online for the first episode of our new interactive Tour show Watch live online This email was sent by ITV to jorgeus.george@gmail.com. You are subscribed to ITV Cycling emails. To unsubscribe from ITV Cycling emails click here. ITV Consumer (Company No. 02937518) has its Registered Office at The London Television Centre | Upper Ground | London | SE1 9LT © Copyright ITV plc 2013

Winners of the last 15 TDF

Biking and health

From cycling tips

Here is a list of l5 winners of the Tour de France with their thumbnail pictures. 7 are by Lance A.

What is going to happen as Lance is stripped of the titles?  Will the runners up be moved up?  How will the awards be given?  When will this take place..?

Winners of the last 15 TDF

Stage 20 Results: Wiggins wins Tour de France

Biking and health

Another PS3 video.

Biking and health

Will Mark Cavendish win the 2012 Tour de France

Biking and health

Bradley Wiggins of Sky Team, now current Tour de France leader interview

Biking and health

Link to live video streaming of Tour de France

Biking and health

Here is a link to live video streaming from Tour de France.

http://tourdefrance2012.com/