Why Cobbles Cost Cyclists / Cheap Carbon Shoes Break Records / Doping Confessions and Cons
About this episode
The episode discusses the challenges of cycling on cobbled roads, the impact of new shoe technology, and the implications of doping in sports.
Become a Science of Sport Supporter by making a small monthly pledge . You'll show your support, help us stay "athletic-greens-free", and get access to our world-class discussion forums In this Spotlight, we start on the cobbled roads of Belgium to explore why riding on cobbles is so hard, and how not so good vibrations compromise mechanical power, cost more energy and require more exertion to produce the same power output. It's Pogacar vs van der Poel, Round 3 this week on the cobbles of Roubaix, and we wonder whether smart tactics will be enough to overcome the Slovenian's firepower, and whether van der Poel's larger size may tilt the balance in his favour? We discuss Jimmy Gressier's return, in Decathlon's own version of a super-shoe, as he runs an exceptional 5k road time. Speaking of Decathlon, a good week for the brand with Paul Seixas continuing his rise, this time with dominance in the Tour of the Basque Country, and hope for a challenger to Pogacar. A new research paper suggests doping prevalence among University students of 13.7%, but it uses novel statistical methods to get there, after only 3.4% of the athletes admit to PED use. We discuss that study, and what it…
More episodes of The Real Science of Sport Podcast
- 1:59:30! The Sub Two Hour Marathon Falls To Sabastian Sawe
- Boston Bonanza - Course Record Analysis / Elite Runners Avoiding Carbs? / Acute Stress Anti-Doping Refusal
- Cobbled Coronations in Roubaix / Benji Naesen vs UCI / Marathon Majors and Sawe's Doping Credibility Campaign
- The Norwegian Way: What We Can Learn From Their Success
- Cycling, Game Theory and Group 2 Syndrome / Kerr's 222 Attempt / Teenage Phenoms Set up to Fail
- How To Win One of the World's Toughest Mountain Bike Races
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Real Science of Sport Podcast podcast page.