Crazy idea here…but maybe those guys could actually train on the TT bikes and learn how to handle them? Andy Schleck was notorious for not touching his TT bike, eschewing all advice re: bike fit and then show up on race day and get his ass handed to him…and then bemoan that he couldn’t TT. NO, he just never bothered to train for it.
If you want to win a GT, you gotta learn to TT…not only the physiological aspects, but the physical riding aspects as well.
Those guys would still excel because they can TT well, not because of their bikes.
I agree with everything you guys say in terms of guys pushing the limits in TTs, and the need for serious GT riders to train on the TT bike. I’m not a TT bike hater - heck, when I was training for triathlon there were periods when I rode my TT bike more than my road bike. I’ve done a 2:03 bike leg in a 70.3. I’ve raced my TT bike on >15% ascents and descents (admittedly with hindsight this was a stupid idea…), I’ve raced a TT in gusting 30mph winds where my rear disc literally skipped sideways at the turnaround when the wind direction changed, I’ve ridden in TTTs where you’re inches apart at speeds up to 40mph. I consider myself a pretty experienced and decent TT bike rider. And yet if I had to give an honest answer as to whether I’m safer on a road bike or a TT bike, it’s not a dead heat, it’s 100% the road bike. On a non-technical, traffic-free course the difference is so negligible as to not matter, on most triathlon courses safety on the bike leg isn’t on mind at all. But on a technical course? Or in gusting winds? Or if training on roads with traffic where you may need to take sudden evasive action? I’m safer on the road bike for sure.
Good shout! My last post on TT bikes on this thread I promise…
Couldn’t be happier for Alaphilippe, played out perfectly for the way he rides. Also kudos to Pogacar, think that move was genuinely 100% an attempt to set things up for Roglic, he must have known he had almost zero chance of staying away from that distance with so many teams still having multiple riders to work together.
I should have bet on the other rage this weekend…