Every time I see a letsrun thread pop up about a cycling to running comparison, I always get interested in some of the funny responses. Sadly, it's pretty hard to really even make a comparison. Some fairly good points have been made about the basic economy differences between the two sports and how this alone makes them almost incomparable. But for conversations sake, I'll break it down as best as possible.
You can't. That's about it. There's no way to compare it realistically. But to make the runners happy. Would it be easier to an elite level cyclist to get through a TDF stage than an elite runner to make it 26 miles with Kipchoge? Yes it would be for sure. Because of drafting. Have you ever looked at power files from long stage races? I've done less than 200 watts for a whole day on these days. But for conversation sake, let's say this "elite cyclist" needs to ride an all day breakaway at the TDF. The power files alone to typically get in the break would be pretty fierce efforts that an elite cyclist wouldn't be able to make it.
The TDF may look insane on TV, and it is. But because it's 3 weeks long, there's also a lot of chilling. If you want a true comparison, either do a 1 day UCI race or a 5-7 day stage race. Absolutely ballistic every single day, every single moment. I would say that is a little easier to compare to a one day event like the marathon.
If you actually wanted to TDF of running, my thoughts are it would look like this. Let's shorten to 1/3rd because recovery is longer in running. So 1 week. 190 of the best runners of all disciplines 800 and up race for 7 days. And let's say each day is really windy so there is an advantage to staying in the pack.
Day 1- 5000m Time trial- Mo isn't that good a time trials because he's all championship, and Bekele finds 2008 form to win, taking over yellow singlet. Kipchoge surprises with a solid opening 5000m putting 15 seconds on some favorites, but loses 12 seconds to Bekele.
Day 2- 18-20 miles. Some dude knows he can't sprint so he and every other non sprinter/GC hopeful go into a fury of harder than marathon pace efforts to get up the road. At first individuals take over chasing back each effort, until the elastic snaps. And 2 runners make it off the front. It's a big freaking headwind though, and they are just working hard from the beginning. In the runnerton (runner peloton, just made that up), the best guys are just running tempo or easier. Drinking eating, chilling. Halfway and the runners have a minute lead, so team kenyan goes to the front and starts rotating with Kipchoge chilling in the bunch. 5k to go and the gap is down to 15 seconds. Nick Willis is just sitting on, as he's run low tempo all day, and he's winding that sh*t up for his boy Symmonds who is in pretty good shape this year. Symmonds lets out a fierce final 400 meters and comes around Willis 200m to go.
Day 2- 19-23 miles. Same as yesterday but the runnerton misjudges and Meb somehow holds on for a solo victory by like 10 seconds, but his opening 5000m was pretty pitiful. So he's in like 75th.
Day 3- 24-25- Rolling hills, a few category climbs. Pace starts off slow, the brave ones go from the gun-3 escape. But the big hitters are chilling. The first hill comes and the favorites start opening up their legs. Symmonds is dropped like a 50lb sack of bricks. A group of 25 make the front split after the first pretty fierce hill surge 12 miles in. Bekeles shoe comes untied, but 4 from team Ethiopia made the front split so they slow down and wait to pace him back. Mo Farah is feeling a bit dirty and he attacks when this happens, but Kipchoge tells him to show some respect and stops him. 10k to go and the escapees have been caught. With 2k to go, Mo Ahmed makes a gutsy move. All the bests are just staring at one another, and he gains a few seconds at the line, claiming the biggest win of his career. A few seconds back, a group of 30 run into the finish with all the hitters making it in safe.
Day 4- 26 Miles- Queen Stage. It's hilly, it's hard it's a blood bath. 15 miles in and the major hills are hitting- throwing down surges no chump can handle. If Symmonds doesn't do some serious work he's going to get time cut. Mo, Rupp, Bekele, Kipchoge, Korir, back and forth attacks. But they continue to match one another.. Coming into the final 3k hill, Mo makes a ballsy move, and Rupp responds. He accidentally steps on his heel and they both get flat tires (the shoe kind) Kiphcoge keeps the pace hard and beats Bekele by a whopping 25 seconds, taking over the yellow jersey.
Day 5-16-18 miles Sprint Stage. Symmonds made time cut-barely. Willis takes a massive flyer, Symmonds tries to come around again, but Rudisha puts him into the barriers for the victory. Didn't even know Rudisha could run that far at this point. But he did. Must have been some good water.
Day 6- King Stage. 26-28 miles. I'm getting a bit tired of writing now. But somehow Ward from USA puts on a miraculous early move charging all day through the mountains. But by mile 23 he starts to unravel. He's cramping, he's in over his head. Team Kenya has been setting the pace all day and Kipchoge is really coming into stride now. Bekele is looking like he's not the young himself anymore. He starts to unravel on the final climb. But before that can happen, Kipchoge smashes into the back of the camera moto! He's hurt and shoes tattered. But picks up a bike laying on the ground and starts biking!!! He has to do it! He gains back some precious time, hops off and goes into a pair of neutral shoes. Korir wins the stage, but Kipchoge keeps GC lead.
Day 7- 18 miles- Last 10k on the track. Rudisha is time cut and can't start, Symmonds time cut and can't start. Somehow Mo is the fastest closer left and wins with a world leading time last 800m. Who knows how, but it's the Tour.
You're welcome letsrun. Also I know what I'm talking about I think- I race in Europe so I must? Cycling is hard, real hard. Making it in Europe is hard. I made it once, got a podium there this year. But you know what is also really hard. RUNNING. Couldn't make it in that sport.