I've just started reading it, but it seems like a great study of how Lance's physical abilities have evolved over time.
I've just started reading it, but it seems like a great study of how Lance's physical abilities have evolved over time.
I had heard of these article, thanks for the link. Should be some interesting reading.
Armstrong is a kenyan on wheels, he just needs less oxygen because of his high efficiency, together with his high treshold(because of the right training) and his excellent but not extraordinary high Vo2max made him a 6-time TDF champ.Ullrich is reported to have a Vo2max very close to 90ml/kg/min, has good biomechanics but doesnt seem very efficient when it goes uphill, also wasnt preparing/training his aerobic system as much/hard as he should have several years and therefore lost several times to Lance.Ullrich coached by Carmichael and with the mentality of LA would have won every TDF since 97, he has much more power than Lance.We will see if he has prepared himself better this year, it looks good so far.
Knowing a little bit about Ed Coyle's work with Lance from a variety of sources, I am leery about the claim that Lance went from 60% to 80% slow twitch. That is an awful big jump especially for someone already well trained (Lance was a very good triathlete as a teen and also a cycling world champion in 1993).
Lance's efficiency is not all that different from anyone else's.
Forgot to add, the claim of an increase of Type I fibers is based on an estimation and not an actual measurement. (This is in the paper itself).
Coyle could never get away with making the claim as depicted in the NY Times article in a peer reviewed journal.