I personally think he could have done it today on my early seventies steel Atala , conditions were ripe and so was he.
I think the bike was (optimistacally, from Specialized’s point of view) 3-4 minutes of his 18 min bike PR. The aerohelmet probably saved more time than the bike did.
I’d say 75% motor, 25% everything else.
I’m looking forward to seeing good photos of how he had the bike configured in the race with any additional hydration system or spares.
I think integrating the hydration system is a strong idea that has been seen before but perhaps not executed as conveniently as Specialized did with their internal reservoir.
It’s likely that bike provided a benefit- as for how much of a benefit compared to all the other well conceived aero triathlon bikes, that is tough to say.
One thing I will suggest is that this design is more valid than previous Specialized efforts. Specialized seems to have “arrived” as a credible triathlon brand with this effort. Like all the other big bike brands they had some stumbles on the way to producing a valid triathlon design. Some of their previous designs I thought- in my opinion- were poor. Trek’s early triathlon attempts were poor also. Both Trek and Specialized have stepped up and have excellent designs now.
This new Shiv seems like a nice bike. I’m pleased to see that from Specialized.
As opposed to the bike Macca won on with about the same aero numbers according to the guys that make them? Odd sentiment. Maybe easier to work on is easier to sell but really if they just made the old shiv cheaper and he won on that it would be the same, right?
Anyone have comparative bike split numbers from Crowie this year on the Shiv to Macca last year with nosecone?
I believe it was 98 percent weather conditions and 2 percent motor. It might have been the best conditions ever at Kona. Compared to other bikes the Pros ride there is almost no difference.
It’s about the sum of your decisions…the bike being one of those.
The bike obviously helped as did the aero helmut. It was definatly the motor though. No way after last year Alexander was going to let the field ride away again. He was recognized his “achiles heel” addressed it then crushed everyone on his was to the podium. That’s why he is the best.
Considering someone went 4:27 in 1993, I’d have to go with the motor.
Motor. Of which most is mind on such a day.