I couldn't help but take note of a comment by Sherwin during the 04 TDF when McEwen took an intermediate sprint vs. Hushovd. "Two sprinters that could not be more contrasted" sizes, he stated. No kidding.
Thor – 1.83m 81kg
Robbie – 1.71m – 66kg
Just yesteday, I saw yet another picture of Fast Freddy on the podium in Portugal. Between McEwen and Rodriguez, seems like they give some of the "big" guns some problems more often than not. Take the Hushovd, Cipo and Petacchi models and view it along with track sprint champs like Hoy and Nothstein and one can glean that sprinters are big, strong dudes and not pint-sized 150 pound athletes. In the off chance Mr. McEwen and Mr. Rodriguez are viewing this, I mean no malice in my comments (pint-sized), but the two of you got me thinking; What are the build and capabilities of a sprinter?
To get started, take the known facts away like.
1. A greater balance of fast twitch muscles
2. Caution-proof speed demons and aggressive riders
3. A good "jump" and an even better team
...and you are still left with these two contrasting body types. Big and strong and little and fast. Are they equal? Does power-to-weight ratio have the same effect in a sprint as it does in the hills? If so, why are there few pint-sized track sprinters? If not, what in road cycling allows "apparently" smaller athletes win against larger (stronger?) ones?
Help here. It's got me scratching my head.
CatSpin
Thor – 1.83m 81kg
Robbie – 1.71m – 66kg
Just yesteday, I saw yet another picture of Fast Freddy on the podium in Portugal. Between McEwen and Rodriguez, seems like they give some of the "big" guns some problems more often than not. Take the Hushovd, Cipo and Petacchi models and view it along with track sprint champs like Hoy and Nothstein and one can glean that sprinters are big, strong dudes and not pint-sized 150 pound athletes. In the off chance Mr. McEwen and Mr. Rodriguez are viewing this, I mean no malice in my comments (pint-sized), but the two of you got me thinking; What are the build and capabilities of a sprinter?
To get started, take the known facts away like.
1. A greater balance of fast twitch muscles
2. Caution-proof speed demons and aggressive riders
3. A good "jump" and an even better team
...and you are still left with these two contrasting body types. Big and strong and little and fast. Are they equal? Does power-to-weight ratio have the same effect in a sprint as it does in the hills? If so, why are there few pint-sized track sprinters? If not, what in road cycling allows "apparently" smaller athletes win against larger (stronger?) ones?
Help here. It's got me scratching my head.
CatSpin