Best build for Cyclist

[boxer]

Was looking at some videos of Bradley Wiggins early today. I was surprised at how slender he was, i would have thought that the optimal build for a high level cyclist would have been bigger legs for maximum power. But it seems that a more slender, slight build may be optimal.

What are your thoughts?

 

[MrJamie]

I think its like running, the sprinters and track cyclists have more power but for endurance people just need high aerobic fitness and minimum weight. So I think the difference between Hoy and Wiggins is a bit like the difference between Bolt and Farah.

 

[palinurus]

Depends. Big legs are indeed powerful, riders with big legs would pretty much always win if there weren't hills.

 

[Pauluk]

The larger muscles of the sprinters need more oxygen and more blood. This is difficult for the body to maintain over longer distances. That's why marathon runners are usually very slim as are distance cyclists.

 

[Rob3rt]

Varies specialty to specialty!

 

[black'n'yellow]

Depends. Big legs are indeed powerful, riders with big legs would pretty much always win if there weren't hills.

so on a flat 70 miler, Hoy would beat Wiggins, yes..?

 

[Night Train]

I have a sprinter build.

I can run a very fast 100m but can't run over 400m. I can cycle sprint up a hill and then collapse but I haven't managed more then 10 miles without a serious cake stop.

When I am working I prefer moving a few heavy loads rather then many light ones.

 

[green1]

so on a flat 70 miler, Hoy would beat Wiggins, yes..?

If Wiggins towed Hoy to the 68 mile point then probably. I'd guess that Hoy rarely cycles for more than an hour at a time, and that would be a recovery ride.

 

[ColinJ]

The only cyclists who need huge powerful legs are sprinters. Wiggo would easily outride Chris Hoy over any distance greater than a few thousand metres, flat terrain or not! (Similarly, look at the size of top runners' legs versus the length of the events that they take part in.)

 

[raindog]

...... but I haven't managed more then 10 miles without a serious cake stop.

....which is probably why you have a sprinter's build

 

[Night Train]

....which is probably why you have a sprinter's build

Point me in the direction of a cake stop and I'll plan to be there first to be one cake ahead!

Seriously though, I have always been a sprinter right from very early school sports days. I was great at 100m, 200m sprints and the long jump, all my training was from out running the school bullies as they would give up if they couldn't catch me quickly.

 

[Lee_M]

whatever build it is...it isnt mine

 

[User6179]

This build!

 

[Drago]

Yeah, even if I were 20 years younger I would not want to race Wiggers lugging around a 53" chest and 19" pipes like I do now. A lot of muscle mass to haul that wouldn't bring much benefit.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

All GC contenders have to be lightweight and possess top end aerobic fitness. If you cannot climb with the best of them then you won't be there at the finish line. No amount of towing will get a bad climber up a hill at the same pace as Conti, Jrod, Froome or Nibali.
Anyone can be towed along a flat course but as people have mentioned about the likes of Cav, when it comes to the mountains, sprinters are next to useless. There are very few exceptions to this.
Same goes with putting in big efforts over long distance TT's. Aerobic fitness is key to be able to sustain 90-100% effort over distance. Also why sprinters wouldn't get a look in TT'ing.

Also Wiggins vs Hoy over 70 miles? That's epic trolling from Black and Yellow right there.