I noticed this during the TTT but took a closer look today during the individual -
I know that Armstrong has some back issues, but looking at his position on the bike, it looks like he’s either got some serious hunchback issues or he’s wearing some sort of prosthetic aerodynamic fairing in the back of his suit, on which his radio appears to be mounted.
Am I just dreaming or is this curve a hell of a lot more severe than any other rider? Would such a fairing be legal?
i think that’s just Lance’s position. I don’t know for sure off the top of my head, but I don’t think he’s ever had the really flat back position you see from some of the riders. Maybe he’s a John Cobb “Type B” back.
A pic would be nice
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I’ll see if I can find a Graham Watson picture tonight after he posts them…
That hump has always been there and no it is not an artificial hump for aero purposes.
He has well noted back problems and this is why you see him in this position. He can’t comfortably lay it flat. You will often see Lance stretch out his back, more than other riders.
I think he had a hydration pack under his suit. Is that to what you’re referring?
Yeah, I’m aware, but that hump looks really unnatural…
http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/CFW/details_Pop.aspx?iid=51112138&cdi=0
Yep, that would explain it…
I don’t think he had a hydration pack. I remember seeing some pre-race stuff where he was talking about how he wouldn’t move his radio around and he was even looking for the most aero way to attach his number. Plus he’s got a bottle there in the picture. I think his back has always been that way.
Does anybody know what brand of rear disc he is using?? or is it a disguised HED?
every picture I’ve seen is a Bontrager.
I think it’s a bit of an optical illusion.
It looks like the trailing point of his helmet is casting a shadow upon his upper back. When viewed against a dark background, the shadow makes that part of his back “disappear,” and it makes the “hump” appear worse than it really is. There’s definitely a hump, but I don’t think it’s that bad…
(Edit: or, maybe I’m wrong: http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour04.php?id=photos/2004/tour04/stage19/S-ARMSTRONGCRONO15180 Dang… Look at that thing… But it doesn’t look too pronounced here: http://www.cyclingnews.com/tour04.php?id=photos/2004/tour04/stage19/S-ARMSTRONGCRONO-192)
I think I remember reading somewhere his back position was from an old injury and that causes what you see. As far as fairings go I believe UCI would not allow. And as stated why would he use a hydration pack and carry a frame bottle. I also believe UCI disallowed hydration packs unless they reversed their decision.
In one of his books he mentions that the hump/position is the result of an accident after the 2000 tour ( I think) while training for the Olympics. He broke a bone (or more) in his back. It’s been a while since I read the book, so I might be off on the details, but I think it has something to do with this accident.
Chris
No - I’ve seen enough stills and the OLN coverage to see that it’s a pretty apparent hump. I’ve seen camels with smaller ones.
In one of his books he mentions that the hump/position is the result of an accident after the 2000 tour ( I think) while training for the Olympics. He broke a bone (or more) in his back. It’s been a while since I read the book, so I might be off on the details, but I think it has something to do with this accident.
…and placing the radio receiver behind the hump reduces the “eddy” effect, so, all in all it works out.