I stumbled across a very interesting piece today about record times climbing Alp D'Huez over at Le Grimpeur. Taking a look at the top 10 fastest times ever recorded on the Alp its easy to spot that the vast majority of them happened in the mid to late 90's, or as we now know, doping's heyday in the sport.
From Le Grimpeur:
| 1. | Pantani | 36′50″, 1995, 22.5 kph |
| 2. | Pantani | 36′55″, 1997 |
| 3. | Pantani | 37′15″, 1994 |
| 4. | Armstrong | 37′36″, 2004 (ITT) |
| 5. | Ullrich | 37′40″, 1997 |
| 6. | Armstrong | 38′01″, 2001 |
| 7. | Indurain/Zulle | 38′10″, 1995 |
| 8. | Riis | 38′15″, 1995 |
| 9. | Virenque | 38′20″, 1997 |
| 10. | Landis | 38′34″, 2006, 21.5 kph |
That the records coincide with the EPO and blood-doping era in
cycling seems to be no coincidence. It is well known that such doping
methods are more effective at improving performances than the drugs,
principally steroids, used in the 70s and 80s. Sub-40 minute times were
not recorded until the era of these doping methods. This does not mean
that all the records prior to 1994 (or 1991, Bugno and Indurain) were
done pas de dopage but simply that subsequent rides have benefited from better doping products on a scale from definitely to more than likely.
To break it down in simple terms, these top-ten riders were simply putting out more power. According to Cyclismag.com, equalizing for rider weights, Landis produced 442 watts in 2006, Armstrong 450 watts in 2001, and Pantani 470 watts in 1995 - 5.6, 5.7, 6 watts/kg respectively.
In comparison, in this year’s Tour, Carlos Sastre’s winning time of 39′30″ maxed out at 430 watts, with his chasers not even close to this level - Andy Schleck, Sammy Sanchez, and Alejandro Valverde at 411 watts, and Frank Schleck (the 2006 stage winner with a 40′+ time), Cadel Evans, Christian Vande Velde, Bernard Kohl, and Dennis Menchov and others all at 403 watts. All posted times over 41 minutes. By comparison, Valverde, for example, was therefore producing 6% less power than Mayo in 2003 and a staggering 15% less than Pantani tapped out in 1995. Calculating power, 411 is 5.3 and 403 watts is 5.2 watts/kg.
Click on through to read the rest
This really makes me respect Carlos Sastre a great deal. His times have remained consistant throughout his career up l'Alp, yet he spent season after season watching competitors simply ride away. How frustrating must that be?
Also, the mediocrity of Bernard Kohl. He was juiced on the latest and greatest this year and still just about croaked at the summit.
Very nice comparison, thanks for bringing it to our attention. I had always wondered if some top rider somewhere was doing it on guts and training instead of drugs. Hats off to Sastre!
Posted by: Graham | 03 November 2008 at 11:21 AM