How fast would the top riders be on the Tour if riding alone?

[grellboy]

Hopefully the title is self explanatory, but just to clarify I invariably ride alone and never, ever set the world alight with my average speeds, regardless of effort. However, when riding on the occasional sportive my average generally improves. Now this may be due to a) the competitive nature of the event makes me try harder or b) perhaps the large groups of cyclists provide better protection from the wind, thus increasing speed by lowering air resistance? Either way, it got me thinking: stick a top rider on an off the shelf bike like most of us have, with no bike fit expertise and set them off on the Tour de France alone, with no support and no group to ride in, how much slower would they be? Just looked at the stats and it's roughly 41 kph these days (down from mid noughties....can't imagine why lol!).

 

[Jimidh]

Don't really know other than that they would still be a way quicker than me!!

 

[screenman]

22.772246 mph roughly over 2,550 miles. Everyone of them would have little problem popping out a 55 minute 25 and many a lot faster.

 

[2IT]

Good question. With the sharp minds on here we may get a solid range on speed.

In addition to factors you've mentioned would be the benefit of optimal nutrition during and afterwards.

It will still be fast. Good riders can ride away from me at will. But just how fast I don't know.

Hopefully the title is self explanatory, but just to clarify I invariably ride alone and never, ever set the world alight with my average speeds, regardless of effort. However, when riding on the occasional sportive my average generally improves. Now this may be due to a) the competitive nature of the event makes me try harder or b) perhaps the large groups of cyclists provide better protection from the wind, thus increasing speed by lowering air resistance? Either way, it got me thinking: stick a top rider on an off the shelf bike like most of us have, with no bike fit expertise and set them off on the Tour de France alone, with no support and no group to ride in, how much slower would they be? Just looked at the stats and it's roughly 41 kph these days (down from mid noughties....can't imagine why lol!).

 

[vickster]

Look at some pros rides on Strava? I'd guess 25mph depending on distance and terrain?

 

[2IT]

I am one of those neanderthals without Strava.

 

[vickster]

The OP might not be however

 

[Jimidh]

The other factor is that during the tour they are racing and therefore any solo ride would not have that competitive nature but their training pace would still be mightily impressive.

 

[Lonestar]

I am one of those neanderthals without Strava.

And me.

 

[grellboy]

Me too, although a quick basis calculation using Vickster's suggested Strava stats idea of 25mph would give kph of 40.....which is same time they do on Tour anyway? Which would indicate there is no difference between training pace and riding pace for these guys. Guess that is why they are the pros.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Me too, although a quick basis calculation using Vickster's suggested Strava stats idea of 25mph would give kph of 40.....which is same time they do on Tour anyway? Which would indicate there is no difference between training pace and riding pace for these guys. Guess that is why they are the pros.

There is a big difference between the speeds professionals maintain riding solo and what they can achieve as part of a race peloton. The 25mph a pro can easily ride in training is not over a Grand Tour distance.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I am one of those neanderthals without Strava.

You're using the web to use cyclechat so there's nothing stopping you (personal distaste aside) from looking at it.

 

[vickster]

Me too, although a quick basis calculation using Vickster's suggested Strava stats idea of 25mph would give kph of 40.....which is same time they do on Tour anyway? Which would indicate there is no difference between training pace and riding pace for these guys. Guess that is why they are the pros.

Yes but parts of the tour are quite hilly! A pro training in the U.K. Isn't riding that terrain. 25 was a guess given I can average 14mph in London traffic and I am about as far removed from a pro as you can get

 

[Dogtrousers]

It would really depend how fast they want to go, and the terrain. You often see solo riders get chased down by the peloton to set up a sprint finish.

I'd guess the answer is bloody fast, but not quite as fast as the bunch.

 

[2IT]

You're using the web to use cyclechat so there's nothing stopping you (personal distaste aside) from looking at it.

I did try but my old Motorola phone doesn't have enough umph for the app. Clearly being on the Internet is a very low bar these day, isn't it?