Just for interest, does anybody know what speeds the riders in the TDF typically reach on the final sprints to the line of each stage (assuming on relatively level pavement)?

In the region of 70-85kph depending on slope wind and corners.

When talking to Baden after his first TDF he was telling me that he had had to do more strength work as he could only kick with a 53, and needed to be able to get a 54/5 going if he was to have greater success. The green jersey last year showed he was on the right track.

Got to love the leg burn- 3 sets of 5 reps: Standing 200m/800m Roll down in 54*11.

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Success is how far you you bounce back up after being knocked down

Pettachi's speeds in the Gyro were around 42 mph at the finish

Yeah it's about 65-67 km/h on flats.

Interesting figures.

That said, how do I develop my speed?
I've heard you can convert endurance into speed, but not speed into endurance.

What is the best way to develop raw speed?

(this might become a training forum thread)

Train behind a car or motor bike.

Motorpacing is one way.

Any other suggestions?

Weightwork is the way to go. Just look at the leg of the former East-german sprinter Michael Huebner some years ago. I seem to rember that the circumference of his thigh was 70 cm. Well I guess he had stronger thngs on his diet than spinace. That might have helped his speed too

Specific weight training perhaps. I've laid off my resistance training to concentrate on bike training.

I already have 60cm thighs but I strugle to push above 54kph in a sprint.

Weights and starts build strength for the kick, to go fast you need to get your leg speed up (180+rpm intervals).

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Success is how far you you bounce back up after being knocked down

Bruiser,

A good way for you is to sit behind those nice coal trucks around Newcastle and do some "truck sitting" always worked for me when I lived there.

cheers

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Ralph

"the older I get, the better I was"

Cipo in a interview (Ride Magzine) said nowadays sprinters are not as fast as the early 90's (even with better equipment). He said he was once clocked 75 kph+ while Petacchi this year averaged about 70 kph on his Giro winning sprints.

Furthermore, sprinters are now more dependent of teammates to pull them, they can't really win it themselves.

But of course, this is Cipo talking...Besides, towards the end of his career, he need a team to pull him as well.