Tour de Lance

"Sunday July 24 is Lance Armstrong Day. It marks the end of an era. His achievements can never be repeated. " Lance Armstrong has defied the odds and won his 7th Tour de France in as many years.

You've seen the action, you've watched the brilliance, you've cheered the champion. Now read about how he does it. Dr. Edward Coyle published an article in the June issue of Journal of Applied Physiology describing how Lance's ability to win is as a result of an 8% improvement in muscular efficiency when cycling, as well as large reductions in body weight and body fat during the months before the race. The article is the result of a seven-year study conducted at the University of Texas's Human Performance Laboratory.

And the proof is in the riding ...
Tour de France 2005
Fact: During the first eight days over 1,300km were raced at over 47km/h (29.20 mph)!
Fact: [Lance] set a record for a time trial, completing the opening stage at 54.676km/h (33.974 mph) – the fastest ever in the Tour.
Fact: Armstrong and his colleagues established another record: the quickest team time trial ever – 67.5km (41.88miles) at 57.324km/h (35.619 mph).
Lance lives strong.

Coyle, EF. Improved muscular effi ciency displayed as Tour de France champion matures.J Appl Physiol. 2005 Jun;98(6):2191-6. Epub 2005 Mar 17.