Do you want to hear the "science" behind how they calculate these numbers?  I got robbed.

"We start our stopwatch at

a pre-determined point, where the

2009 Tour’s difficulties begin. We

stop it at the summit. Our measures

take into account obscure, but no

less important parameters, such as

frontal area, the coefficient of rolling

resistance, slope grade, and average

air density. It’s amazing to identify

“greatness” just sitting on a couch.

The kind of greatness that breaks

the 1.1 cyclopower barrier: 450

watts. That’s the Tour for you. I’ll skip

over other scientific considerations,

which rely on knowledge of human

physiology, like maximum VO2, the

endurance index, assorted biology,

and so forth. "

Ok, I stand corrected.  Buried at page 138 or 139 are several pages describing the math they used to indirectly "estimate" a relative watt measurement...

I've been following the discussion of creating a "truth and reconciliation commission" for doping in cycling.  I don't understand how it could work.  I thought about it too much and wrote this:

mugwump said:

I've been following the discussion of creating a "truth and reconciliation commission" for doping in cycling.  I don't understand how it could work.  I thought about it too much and wrote this:

http://jralong.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-glucose-anti-solution.html

I like the point how our perspective would likely change if we knew the whole truth about these asshole's doping careers.

mugwump said:

I've been following the discussion of creating a "truth and reconciliation commission" for doping in cycling.  I don't understand how it could work.  I thought about it too much and wrote this:

http://jralong.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-glucose-anti-solution.html

Poked Vaughters for a reaction...

I don't understand Vaughters' response. Did he read the same blog post? Almost sounds like he's reacting to piece that was circulating yesterday about unrealistic performances, and how they indicate doping.

Joaquin said:

I don't understand Vaughters' response. Did he read the same blog post? Almost sounds like he's reacting to piece that was circulating yesterday about unrealistic performances, and how they indicate doping.

Yeah and the weird CX reference... was he referring to JPow?

He's probably driving in the caravan while tweeting with one hand.

dstokes said:

He's probably driving in the caravan while tweeting with one hand.

A source I have on the team tells me JV only drives when there is absolutely no one else to do it.

Virneque aka "Sr. Dickster" pimping Festina watches ? !   wonder if Lance will be pimping it for Nike and Trek in 15 years ????

And who could forget his specially formulated energy drink.

Of course, as he wasn't a client of Ferrari's, he didn't get an "equal opportunity" when compared to Armstrong, Vinokourov,and others.  

The regularity of these statements is starting to sound focus group tested: the most socially acceptable explanation for completely unjustifiable behavior, somehow playing on public heartstrings in a way that will have the best chance to blossom into collective redemption 10 years from now. And a close cousin to "that's what it took to be in the bigs." JP has posted some great food for thought on the value of a truth and reconciliation process, but I wonder if the true value of that process might be to dilute and diversify this type of unrealistically simple narrative.

While it is the same old story, that doesn't mean that it isn't true.

@Joaquin I think you hit the nail on the head.

I am of the belief that this guy is ridin filthy dirty....

Why?  B/c he's like 150 lbs and can hold over 400 watts for an hour?  Big deal.

If he is 150 then I am Donald Duck

it's not doping.  it's his unique training regimen of kenyan drinking water and slow infection with schistosomiasis....ironic, i know, since you wouldn't think snail fever would make you *faster*.

This one makes me want to kick him right in his junk !!

OK, I won't read the article. I don't like the idea of yahoo 'news' anyway.

What a pitiful, narcissistic, bitter man.

His comments are in-character to say the least - but let's not heap this all on him.  It's the 100th anniversary of the Tour and I'm sure every journo and his three-legged dog is calling his agent trying to get a quote or an interview.

Jules,

Dickipedia: Lance Armstrong

We need go no further than this: