… but, but, but, we’re in the age of “peak aero” and the differences in wheels and frames and helmets etc. are supposed to be negligible from one mfg. to another. Right?!
His position seems different though, eyeballed an extra ~20 mm aerobar drop from saddle position (don’t have time to use software to do a real measurement). He seems to be going from a roundish back power position (i.e. Tony Martin-ish) to a more text book flat back. They did the same with Castroviejo who went from extreme to like super extreme and did not seem to give him a great advantage.
Is he anywhere close to peak form at this time of year?
Why would Durbridge be different? Or anyone else for that matter?
I would expect Dennis to be in good shape since he had a very light racing schedule in 2019 (he didn’t need to rest and recuperate), it’s summer (easy to train), it’s his home turf, and Ineos has a decent team there for the TDU, and he is their protected rider (in it for the win). In other words, his condition should be as good as anyone’s.
I just think it’s funny in kinda a sick way, after all the BS last year about his equipment being subpar. No, I don’t actually believe his equipment is a problem, nor was it the problem last year.
Is the world champ’s stripes skinsuit the exact one he’d wear at the UCI worlds?
I thought people are often unhappy with the TdF skinsuits when they’re in yellow for a TT?
I’d have to assume they tailored him one.
Lastly, is the guy who won purely a TT person? Kinda like an Obree? Or is that person also a pro who races road? Difference between a pure TT rider and a pro cyclist who specializes in TT. Kind of like difference between a guy who only shoots freethrows versus a pro baller who happens to be good at freethrows.
I wouldn’t expect either of them to be peaking in January, but just because neither have peaked doesn’t mean they’re at the same phase in training. there are gonna be differences.
I didn’t know the historical context about complaints that equipment was subpar last year.
I don’t think you can compare the goals of Dennis and Durbridge. Durbridge is a good TTer, but more like just outside the top 10 in the world. It’s very likely that he would focus on being near peak for the nationals, while Dennis would come in with good form not the kind of form that could risk being flat by the Olympics and WC. Durbridge would be a much longer shot to medal at either of those.
Is the world champ’s stripes skinsuit the exact one he’d wear at the UCI worlds?
I thought people are often unhappy with the TdF skinsuits when they’re in yellow for a TT?
I’d have to assume they tailored him one.
Lastly, is the guy who won purely a TT person? Kinda like an Obree? Or is that person also a pro who races road? Difference between a pure TT rider and a pro cyclist who specializes in TT. Kind of like difference between a guy who only shoots freethrows versus a pro baller who happens to be good at freethrows.
I don’t think you can compare the goals of Dennis and Durbridge. Durbridge is a good TTer, but more like just outside the top 10 in the world. It’s very likely that he would focus on being near peak for the nationals, while Dennis would come in with good form not the kind of form that could risk being flat by the Olympics and WC. Durbridge would be a much longer shot to medal at either of those.
This. Rohan has not had any issues calling out equipment or teams in the past. He seemed quite cordial after the race. Maybe not starving himself has made him less ornery.
His position seems different though, eyeballed an extra ~20 mm aerobar drop from saddle position (don’t have time to use software to do a real measurement). He seems to be going from a roundish back power position (i.e. Tony Martin-ish) to a more text book flat back. They did the same with Castroviejo who went from extreme to like super extreme and did not seem to give him a great advantage.
You have precise eyeballs.
Lastly, is the guy who won purely a TT person? Kinda like an Obree? Or is that person also a pro who races road?
Don’t quite get Jason’s joke. I think he’s just a troll.
He definitely rides a full schedule for MItchelton-Scott. While two years ago he would have been considered purely a TT/TTT guy and domestique for flat stages, they tried unleashing him two years ago on a full classics schedule, and it went pretty darn well, 4th at E3 and Dwars, 6th at Strade. His emergence as a classics rider was since derailed by a bad crash last year. Hopefully this year we can see what he does.
His TT win should also be noted in the context of Durbridge having road hard to help get his teammate Cameron Meyer the win in the road race (which Durbridge finished 4th in) - Dennis did not participate in the RR.
This. Rohan has not had any issues calling out equipment or teams in the past. He seemed quite cordial after the race. Maybe not starving himself has made him less ornery.
He was cordial after he lost last year, too. He didn’t call out Merida publicly until much later.
Road race was after the TT, correct? Not sure how Durbridge riding in the RR as a support rider a few days later would impact his TT performance.
That said, Durbridge is a strong motor who rides as a domestique most of the season as part of the “engine room” for his team. However, he is not likely to beat Dennis when both are peaked and prepped for the course. Dennis goals this year are some week long stage races, TT stages and the Olympics. Fair to say he was not close to peak form or all that motivated for the race.
I get the sentiment of the post and agree for the most part. That said, I suspect RD’s mindset isn’t as results oriented as you might first think. I suspect he originally had a problem with the Merida… then used results to justify it. From interviews, he seems to be hyped on the Sky equipment… which sort of explains why he didn’t seem perturbed by the loss. In both cases his mind may have already been made up what he thought about his equipment before the results came in.
I follow the thinking that he also probably wasn’t in top TT shape, especially if he knew he’d be on the TDU squad.
Finally, while I don’t exactly think it’s the case here, it’s not unprecedented for a World Champs national pride to come into play and to want the nat jersey worn in big events, by someone.
