Maybe it was just the new team colors, but Lance just looked like the incredible hulk to me yesterday. His chest/back/shoulders looked far larger and the diameter of his legs look much bigger as well. Maybe it won’t matter in July, maybe it will, just my observation.
As a side note, good for Mic Rogers and Big George, both had good results. George’s position is second to none.
Dave in VA
Lance is huge. And what works against him is that while he’s always been this “big” in February in the past when he’s raced, he’s never been this muscular. That’s the ‘X’ factor in his return–can he lose the muscle.
And George’s position is second to Zabriskie’s ;^)
i think pre-race the thing that flashed on the screen was 5’10" 170lbs. That seems huge to me even for not being a climber.
i think pre-race the thing that flashed on the screen was 5’10" 170lbs. That seems huge to me even for not being a climber.
It was 5’10", 165lbs. I remember as I am the same height and 3 lbs less right now.
Lance looks like he’s getting ready for Ironman.
Yes, he does seem “bigger” than normal. I also used to be his exact height and weight (I’m also 5-10 and about 160 now, less during season). He has always been very disciplined with his diet though and I’d wager he would be down around 155 for the Giro for his typical stellar power/weight ratio 
I think 155 might be pushing it.
His usual race weight was closer to 160 when he had no upper body.
I saw Lance race at TDU and he is quite muscular now, especially when you compare him to the other riders.
lol yeah i was going wow he weighs like 10lbs more then me and im 2 inches taller
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When I saw Lance during the TDU coverage, I didn’t really notice the added bulk but after seeing him race with/against his old bud’s (namely George) it really stood out.
Dave in VA
somebody post pics please?
I am an Ironman and Lance weighs 30 pounds less than me and he is 4 inches taller.
Ha…it is a twisted perspective here on Slowtwitch when 5’10, 170 is “huge.” If you put a qualifier on it like “huge for a pro cyclist” then maybe. You know it is an extreme sport when having the upper body of a 16 year old girl is the norm. I know that extra upper body mass is not ideal for cyclists but it strikes me as funny when people use words like “huge” and “linebacker” to describe Lance. I guess I am spending too much time around the weight room these days.
Mike
Ha…it is a twisted perspective here on Slowtwitch when 5’10, 170 is “huge.” If you put a qualifier on it like “huge for a pro cyclist” then maybe. You know it is an extreme sport when having the upper body of a 16 year old girl is the norm. I know that extra upper body mass is not ideal for cyclists but it strikes me as funny when people use words like “huge” and “linebacker” to describe Lance. I guess I am spending too much time around the weight room these days.
Mike
The real answer is that ST is commonly viewed by anorexic midgets. I think Lance might break in half on his own, he looks that frail to me.
He did pretty well for a 37 yr old linebacker who’s almost 4 yrs out of serious competition. I’m not a Lance apologist, but I have no reason to expect he won’t get down to fighting weight and have a great shot at GC win at the Giro and/or TdF. What part of his history would make anyone think he can’t achieve something if he commits himself to it?
I think what you meany was that Lance looked a bit bigger than he has in the past right? I really doubt anyone 5’10" 165 would ever get confused for a linebacker unless it is in JR high…
Everything so far makes me believe he’s right on track for #8.
I think 155 might be pushing it.
His usual race weight was closer to 160 when he had no upper body.
I saw Lance race at TDU and he is quite muscular now, especially when you compare him to the other riders.
from cyclingnews:
In the last dozen years there has been only one rider weighing more than 170 pounds who could be considered an elite climber: Miguel Indurain, and only one rider weighing 160 pounds who could also be considered an elite climber: Jan Ullrich. All the other elite climbers are less than 160 pounds and most are less than 150 pounds. Forget about riders over 175 pounds, although race tactics often make heavy sprinters appear to be much poorer climbers than they really are, another point where Ilan Vardi’s letter is mistaken. (On a side note, Lance Armstrong’s weight is subject to much debate. I’ve seen “official” quotations of his weight being around 160 pounds, but most say he actual race weight is much lighter, more like 150 pounds. I have even read accounts that he is in the mid 140s by the time the Tour hits the mountains.)
Dang, I thought I was fat : )
I’m 5" taller then Lance and only 5 pounds heavier : ) And I’ll be 170 by the time the main season starts.
Actually…he’s small!! 5-10 and 170 (and all muscle, no fat)…is small!
Yeah, I thought this point would be lost on anyone who is 5’ something and compares themselves to linebackers. Then again, SM is on the other end of the roid spectrum…lol…
Here’s a pic of Lance just out of the starting gate of the prologue:
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