Quote:
Originally Posted by Northendzone
how much of a change could the helmets and suits make - increasing avg speed by 2kph maybe?
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About a 2-5% less drag. This years tour there where a number of riders with helmet covers on. The traditional vented helmet is the least aerodynamic piece of equipment. Today's bikes, even from 5 years ago are faster. I had a Venge pro for a week, and my average speed went up 8kph compared with my cervelo rs. Aero bike, with aero wheels.
To me, you'd have to compare climbing, since aero gear won't make a difference. Look at the top times for the Alps D'Huez...usually at the end of an already brutal stage.
Andrew Ference did it in 1 hr and 3 minutes...not that a hockey player would be close, but just a tidbit.
Ascent times
Rank Time Name Year Nationality
1 37' 35" Marco Pantani 1997 Italy
2* 37' 36" Lance Armstrong 2004 United States
3 38' 00" Marco Pantani 1994 Italy
4 38' 01" Lance Armstrong 2001 United States
5 38' 04" Marco Pantani 1995 Italy
6 38' 23" Jan Ullrich 1997 Germany
7 38' 34" Floyd Landis 2006 United States
8 38' 35" Andreas Klöden 2006 Germany
9* 38' 37" Jan Ullrich 2004 Germany
10 39' 02" Richard Virenque 1997 France
11 39' 06" Iban Mayo 2003 Spain
12* 39' 17" Andreas Klöden 2004 Germany
13* 39' 21" Jose Azevedo 2004 Portugal
14 39' 28" Miguel Induráin 1995 Spain
15 39' 28" Alex Zülle 1995 Switzerland
16 39' 30" Bjarne Riis 1995 Denmark
17 39' 31" Carlos Sastre 2008 Spain
18 39' 44" Gianni Bugno 1991 Italy
19 39' 45" Miguel Induráin 1991 Spain
20 40' 00" Jan Ullrich 2001 Germany
21 40' 46" Fränk Schleck 2006 Luxembourg
22 40' 51" Alexander Vinokourov 2003 Kazakhstan
23 41' 18" Lance Armstrong 2003 United States
24 41' 21" Samuel Sánchez 2011 Spain
25 41' 30" Alberto Contador 2011 Spain
26 41' 46" Cadel Evans 2008 Australia
27 41' 50" Laurent Fignon 1989 France
28 41' 50" Luis Herrera 1987 Colombia
29 41' 57" Pierre Rolland 2011 France
30 42' 15" Pedro Delgado 1989 Spain
31 43' 12" Ryder Hesjedal 2011 Canada
32 43' 12" Thomas Danielson 2011 United States
33 45' 20" Gert-Jan Theunisse 1989 Netherlands
34 45' 22" Fausto Coppi 1952 Italy
35 48' 00" Bernard Hinault 1986 France