The recent Tour de France stage from Chinon to Chateau Roux recorded the second fastest average speed in history at 50.013 kph over a 174 km route. Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Mathieu van der Poel made an early attack but was caught in the final sprint, allowing Tim Marley to claim his second stage victory of the race.
The stage’s speed was influenced by a low altitude of only 1,400 meters, minimal hills, and a favorable crosstail wind. Historical comparisons showed that the fastest recorded stage remains from the 1999 Tour, averaging 50.36 kph, though that year has been marred by doping controversies.
Factors contributing to the increasing speed in modern cycling include advancements in nutrition—where athletes now consume up to 120 grams of carbohydrates per hour—and technological improvements in equipment. Professional teams are using artificial intelligence to optimize performance and recovery, as evidenced by Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates utilizing a bot to enhance strategy.
Jonas Riccaerto, who earned the day’s Combat Award, displayed impressive power metrics during the race, highlighting the rigorous physical demands placed on riders. The article illustrates how modern cycling techniques and training have transformed the sport, leading to faster stage times.
Source link
