It's totally counter-intuitive to me for at least three reasons. First, pro cyclists have genetics and muscles which allow them to excel at aerobic power production, not anaerobic strength. Second, an average pro cyclist weighs what, 150 lbs, while an NFL lineman could be double that. Even if the cyclist were pound-for-pound as strong, that leaves him pressing half the weight. Lastly, pro cyclists don't train doing heavy leg presses, while linemen certainly do. Seriously doubt any pro-tour racer would risk injury by attempting to challenge the strength of a pro lineman in the gym.
The aerobic power needed by a pro-tour rider is just a totally different thing from the strength needed to lift weights. No one looks at a world-class marathon runner and wonders how much weight he can leg press, but somehow in cycling the myth persists than big, strong muscles are needed to go fast.
The aerobic power needed by a pro-tour rider is just a totally different thing from the strength needed to lift weights. No one looks at a world-class marathon runner and wonders how much weight he can leg press, but somehow in cycling the myth persists than big, strong muscles are needed to go fast.