6ix
Posts:485
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| 09/17/2014 11:00 AM |
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Definitely going to watch it. Any guesses on what he can accomplish? I'm going to say around 52.5km. That's just a little shy of what Indurain did back in 1994 on his Pinarello Espada. Since the equipment and positions now legal for use are about on par with what the riders were using back in the early 90's, I think Jens will hit around the same distance. If he gets closer to Rominger's records then I have to shake my head a bit since Tony was juiced beyond belief back then!
And as for Boardman's 56k record, that one still blows my mind. I know the superman position is incredibly aero but I can't figure out how you can generate enough power while in such an extreme AND LONG tuck. |
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THE SKINNY
Posts:506
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| 09/17/2014 11:04 AM |
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| i bet he can do in it 55 minutes. |
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| How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 09/17/2014 12:22 PM |
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| Trek is steaming it live from their site. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 09/17/2014 02:14 PM |
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| He's not a trackie as far as I know. He will suffer. |
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Dale
Posts:1767
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| 09/17/2014 03:38 PM |
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I wonder how many times he'll look over his shoulder to see when his solo break-away gets swallowed up by the field  |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 09/17/2014 08:29 PM |
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| Old habits die hard, Dale. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 09/18/2014 10:53 AM |
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| If he gets it, he will just be keeping it warm for Tony Martin/Specialized. my prediction |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 09/18/2014 10:58 AM |
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CP, Jens knows that and has even acknowledged it. He is aware that with the change in equipment rules, it should be relatively *easy* to break the current record for someone of his abilities.
He is doing this to close out his career on a high note and etch his name in the record books...even if it is just for a short period.
If nothing else, it is a savvy marketing move. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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THE SKINNY
Posts:506
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| 09/18/2014 11:58 AM |
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| is this a record that's usually attempted by older/retiring riders? or do older/retiring riders tend to do better? |
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| How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 09/18/2014 12:43 PM |
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| Historically, when the hour record was the top prize in cycling, riders went after it whenever they could take it, but best personal efforts often came at the end of their best years, just before the decline began. |
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ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 09/18/2014 12:43 PM |
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The hour record is a race against everyone and no one.
It used to be seen as a notch in the belt, but has been legislated into obscurity. It's ripe for revival. Most riders have too many other obligations. Add to that, it is hard. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 09/18/2014 01:42 PM |
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It's happening now at Trek's website. (I hope this is a legit livestream.)
http://www.trekbikes.com/hour_record/
Many years ago, Joni Mitchell wrote a song describing it. The Circle Game.
Ben |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 09/18/2014 02:14 PM |
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| Bravo Jens! Retire with an exclamation point!
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Bring on Sparticus and Sir Bradley. We could enjoy top riders trading records just like back in the day. 52, maybe 53 ? |
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SideBySide
Posts:444
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| 09/18/2014 02:19 PM |
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| Nice job! 51.115. |
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stronz
Posts:447
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| 09/18/2014 02:25 PM |
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| 31.9 mph. for an hour straight..... I mean sheeehit.... I find it hard to go 24-25 for anything more than 5-10 min. Anyone who rides slightly more than casually understands how hard it is to do. Chapeau Jensie! |
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ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 09/18/2014 04:06 PM |
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Looked like a super nice track. I doubt that the floors in my kitchen are that smooth.
Can't argue with that performance and what a way to retire! |
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zootracer
Posts:833
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| 09/18/2014 06:50 PM |
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| Heck of a way to close out a career! Bravo! |
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6ix
Posts:485
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| 09/19/2014 09:04 AM |
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| Honestly, I'm surprised and a bit disappointed. That sounds awful but it just goes to show how much damage the premium doping era has done. It's left me wanting more. In my opinion, the best comparison is Boardman's first record of 52.270km. The equipment was mostly the same. Then came Indurain and Rominger on jet fuel. But what's really crazy is that Boardman's "athlete record" of 49.441km isn't that far behind Jen's new record but with completely different equipment. Jens had a massive aero advantage over what Boardman was using and similarly, Boardman did this at the end of his career. In fact, it may have been his final race. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 09/19/2014 09:12 AM |
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It was the final race for both Boardman and Jens (and Jens was older)....so there is similarity there.
But yeah, it hi lights two key things.....1) the technological advantage that Jens had vs. Boardman's "Athletes record". While I am sure Jens was hurting, the "attempt" was pretty much a formality. 2) how good Boardman was at the Hour Record. The fact that he set it as many times as he did, in different guises / positions, says a lot about his abilities and determination. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Keith Richards
Posts:781
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| 09/19/2014 12:14 PM |
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 I still like Rominger's attempt the best, although I assume he was "prepared" for the event. I appreciate that he used a terribly ordinary bike to get it done. |
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It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 09/19/2014 01:58 PM |
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It may not have looked like it, but that bike was pretty tricked out. Every tube was shaped to minimize drag. And at zero* yaw, it probably closer to Jen's bike in terms of drag than most people would think.
It is when you start adding yaw to the mix that today's bikes start to excel. But on the track, there aren't huge differences. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 09/19/2014 02:13 PM |
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| yaw(n)...the only recollection of hour attempts stored in my brain is Moser training in Mexico City, riding up an incline using ridiculous large gearing...his legs were barely moving. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 09/19/2014 02:35 PM |
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Don't forget his massive 28" rear wheel....that thing was HUGE!!
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Keith Richards
Posts:781
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| 09/19/2014 03:06 PM |
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Posted By Cosmic Kid on 09/19/2014 01:58 PM
It may not have looked like it, but that bike was pretty tricked out.
Yeah the tubes were heavily worked, but when Ernesto was asked about the bike after the hour attempt even he said, "the tubes are very, very old". But more importantly, I was comparing it to the Pinarello Superbike that Big Mig used during the same era. The contrast is stark.
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It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 09/19/2014 03:42 PM |
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| Ha, that's a great pic CK. Just reading that the main purpose of Jens' attempt may have been a learning experience for TREK to set them up for Cance's attempt to come. So Jens was test bunny? Good on him anyway. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 09/19/2014 04:08 PM |
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I think Jens was an opportunist as much as as a test bunny. He saw an opportunity to make a name for himself and took full advantage of it. He (Trek?) knew that the record was within reach for anyone with decent talent and good equipment......as long as the goal was to just break Sosenka's record. Go 49.8KM and the quest was successful. IN the meantime, Trek would garner useful data for Cancellera, should eh decide to take a shot at it next year.
With Fabian or Tony Martin, their goals wil be much different....push the record up as high as possible, hopefully out of reach for awhile. Near-immortality.
Jens knows his record will not stand long....but his name will always be there in the record books. He had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and took it...and it paid off.
Feel free to use this attempt as an anlogy for his entire racing career.
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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