The Hour

dave_1

Looks like Lance A will go for it. I reckon he will ride 51-52km on standard bike, at sea level...

http://www.velonews.com/photo/87460

micron

Think this was on twitter - he was just trying out a new bike - allegedly...

dave_1

micron wrote:

Think this was on twitter - he was just trying out a new bike - allegedly...

am glad a big name is doing to event -if he does it...good for Graeme Obree and Boardman, raises the prestige of the hour again so in that respect re highlights Obree and Boardman's achievements....leaving the whole doping debate aside, surely good for the sport as again...media will be forced to report it front page the world over

calvjones

Does he know he's not allowed to ride behind a bunch of dopers for 55mins then sprint to glory after they peel off :twisted: ?

dave_1

calvjones wrote:

Does he know he's not allowed to ride behind a bunch of dopers for 55mins then sprint to glory after they peel off :twisted: ?

...whinger 1

Simon Notley

Well, the red one does look like an hour-record bike... not sure about the other one though, unless he's also considering taking a shot at Boardman's 'absolute hour'. I've just read Hutch's book on the subject so would be interesting to see how someone like Armstrong would get on.

Kléber

It could just be publicity for Trek, it's another for images of a Trek bike to be beamed around the world for free. He could just be testing the track and seeing what numbers come up.

Still, I'd like to see someone retake the record, there's something very odd when Sosenka is the current holder.

takethehighroad

I think Spartacus will have a bash towards the end of his career.

I read in this month's 'velo' magazine that he did the kilometre in 1.07 as a junior.

6288

the red trek is just his 'fixie' .. there was a video dodging round of hima nd some other fixed wheel guys zooming around ...

Meds1962

It wouln't do any harm for a big name to have a crack at it, not much apparent ambition by anyone else is there?

As long as he doesn't write a book about it if he fails, that would be pointless.

jimycooper

anyone else think fabian would be amazing at a pursuit? his tt skills mixted with how he rode away from the bunch in the olympics and milan-san-remo...

just a thought,

yogi

There was some speculation a few years ago that Armstrong was going to attempt The Hour. If any of you have seen the DVD ‘The Science of Lance Armstrong’ you will recall a section where they are testing him in a wind tunnel. Now, the bike he is on is not a TT bike but a track bike. At no point in the commentary do they mention The Hour Record but many believe that this was Armstrong testing his position to see if it was possible and that Discovery Channel were going to make a programme about it.

Now this is where it gets interesting; on this video you can see the drag data readings in the background. An article appeared on the internet by an expert in these matters and he concluded that based on this data Armstrong could not beat the Hour Record. This is why Armstrong abandoned any idea of attacking the Hour. He’s got the power but not the aerodynamics. The author also went on to say that Ekimov was tested at the same time and was more aerodynamic than Armstrong and that was why he beat him in the Olympic Time-Trial. Obviously doing a time-trial at the end of a 3 week Tour is a different story.

I did an internet search but couldn’t find said article but I have it at work, I’ll dig it out tomorrow. Interesting stuff to ‘anoraks’ like us, no doubt this will spark a bit of healthy debate.

Cancellara would be interesting because he could take advantage of his height to get a low handlebar position as Sosenka did for his record. Well, that and a very heavy rear wheel acting as a flywheel. Quite brilliant really, in the same thinking outside the box mode as the great Graeme Obree. Making a mockery of the UCI’s attempts to standardise The Hour Record. Shame Sosenka went on to test positive at a later date!

There’s more here http://www.wolfgang-menn.de/hourrec.htm

Yellow Peril

I seriously think he could do this.

He has Boardman's singlemindedness and attention to detail, seemingly limitless resources and was no slouch as a time trialler or climber in the TdF showing he has the stamina.

It will be interesting to see the outcome...if any

dave_1

yogi wrote:

There was some speculation a few years ago that Armstrong was going to attempt The Hour. If any of you have seen the DVD ‘The Science of Lance Armstrong’ you will recall a section where they are testing him in a wind tunnel. Now, the bike he is on is not a TT bike but a track bike. At no point in the commentary do they mention The Hour Record but many believe that this was Armstrong testing his position to see if it was possible and that Discovery Channel were going to make a programme about it.

Now this is where it gets interesting; on this video you can see the drag data readings in the background. An article appeared on the internet by an expert in these matters and he concluded that based on this data Armstrong could not beat the Hour Record. This is why Armstrong abandoned any idea of attacking the Hour. He’s got the power but not the aerodynamics. The author also went on to say that Ekimov was tested at the same time and was more aerodynamic than Armstrong and that was why he beat him in the Olympic Time-Trial. Obviously doing a time-trial at the end of a 3 week Tour is a different story.

I did an internet search but couldn’t find said article but I have it at work, I’ll dig it out tomorrow. Interesting stuff to ‘anoraks’ like us, no doubt this will spark a bit of healthy debate.

Cancellara would be interesting because he could take advantage of his height to get a low handlebar position as Sosenka did for his record. Well, that and a very heavy rear wheel acting as a flywheel. Quite brilliant really, in the same thinking outside the box mode as the great Graeme Obree. Making a mockery of the UCI’s attempts to standardise The Hour Record. Shame Sosenka went on to test positive at a later date!

There’s more here http://www.wolfgang-menn.de/hourrec.htm

*the hour suits shorter riders as the g force on each of the bankings means blood takes longer to travel back to the heart...in a longer body...agree though that LA is a humpback and not aero...but I think he will beat Cancellera in TTs this season on the road

*Michelle ferrari suggested this was why Rominger was so much better in the hour than ndurain...but anyway...bring it on...the hour is a high prestige honour...like a classic IMO

yogi

You've got to remember that Rominger and Indurain was back in the aerobar days. The problem that shorter riders have with the new Athletes Hour is that they can't get low enough at the front end it's got nothing to do with blood flow. Wasn't a problem for Sosenka (but then again! Better not say), it's going to be a very uncomfortable experience for anyone attempting it.

moray_gub

Dave_1 wrote:

[quote="yogi"
*Michelle ferrari suggested this was why Rominger was so much better in the hour than ndurain...but anyway...bring it on...the hour is a high prestige honour...like a classic IMO

Dave it was a prestige honour maybe 15 -20 years ago but like many sporting related things it has faded away as the years roll on kinda like the FA cup if you like it was great in its day but nowadays its a chance to try out a few reserves. For me it doesnt compare to a classic at least not one of the monuments anyway. Maybe it will change if the top echelon of riders show an interest but i cant see it .

MG

dave_1

Moray Gub wrote:

Dave_1 wrote:

[quote="yogi"
*Michelle ferrari suggested this was why Rominger was so much better in the hour than ndurain...but anyway...bring it on...the hour is a high prestige honour...like a classic IMO

Dave it was a prestige honour maybe 15 -20 years ago but like many sporting related things it has faded away as the years roll on kinda like the FA cup if you like it was great in its day but nowadays its a chance to try out a few reserves. For me it doesnt compare to a classic at least not one of the monuments anyway. Maybe it will change if the top echelon of riders show an interest but i cant see it .

MG

True enough MG...I fear you may be correct but hope that Lance A has a go, breaks it by not much and so brings forth other challengers who want to take the hour off Armstrong...to me that's the only hope...it is terrible that is has been ignored for so long. It is one of the few cycling results from the 90s one can have real trust in and respect for as I believe Boardman and Obree did it not the euro pro cycling way...no EPO or other stuff...just training hard and diet

iainf72

I think the UCI have destroyed it with their stupid rules. Times changed but trying to freeze progress in the 70's didn't help anyone.

As MG says, if you want to do something impressive win a classic.

Martin Van Nostrand

I think the UCI rules make total sense. It was becoming about technology, not athletics. If they just leave it open, might as well run recumbents or motorbikes.

Lance pic at Track= hour record.
Lance pic on a cobblestone = Paris Roubaix.

People avoid the hour because they don't want to be seen as having failed the hour.

The UCI should even the playing field, standardize the bikes to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JtZkNXfes4

moray_gub

Martin Van Nostrand wrote:

I think the UCI rules make total sense. It was becoming about technology, not athletics. If they just leave it open, might as well run recumbents or motorbikes.

Lance pic at Track= hour record.
Lance pic on a cobblestone = Paris Roubaix.

People avoid the hour because they don't want to be seen as having failed the hour.

The UCI should even the playing field, standardize the bikes to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JtZkNXfes4

Or lets go back in time how about an hour record on this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcBSiufh-so

MG

yogi

Your still missing the point. The current frozen rules favour the taller rider. And even with the 'frozen' rules people will still find a way around it...within said rules.

Martin Van Nostrand

Moray Gub wrote:

Martin Van Nostrand wrote:

I think the UCI rules make total sense. It was becoming about technology, not athletics. If they just leave it open, might as well run recumbents or motorbikes.

Lance pic at Track= hour record.
Lance pic on a cobblestone = Paris Roubaix.

People avoid the hour because they don't want to be seen as having failed the hour.

The UCI should even the playing field, standardize the bikes to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JtZkNXfes4

Or lets go back in time how about an hour record on this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcBSiufh-so

MG

too high tech, cycling lost all it panache with the demise of the Dandy horse.

Real men had only fear splinters.

Martin Van Nostrand

yogi wrote:

Your still missing the point. The current frozen rules favour the taller rider. And even with the 'frozen' rules people will still find a way around it...within said rules.

I refer to Mr. Newman for this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NvgLkuEtkA

moray_gub

Martin Van Nostrand wrote:

Moray Gub wrote:

Martin Van Nostrand wrote:

I think the UCI rules make total sense. It was becoming about technology, not athletics. If they just leave it open, might as well run recumbents or motorbikes.

Lance pic at Track= hour record.
Lance pic on a cobblestone = Paris Roubaix.

People avoid the hour because they don't want to be seen as having failed the hour.

The UCI should even the playing field, standardize the bikes to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JtZkNXfes4

Or lets go back in time how about an hour record on this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcBSiufh-so

MG

too high tech, cycling lost all it panache with the demise of the Dandy horse.

Real men had only fear splinters.

LOl i suppose it was The Specialized body geometry of the day though !

MG