Every year, we need to tweak our power output and air drag. Cyclists get more powerful, bikes get more aerodynamic, and team strategies get more efficient. Science plays a major role in these advancements. I got a screen capture of BMC crossing the finish line with their winning time (click on image for a larger view).
Below is a comparison between their winning time and our prediction.
- Stage 03: 38' 46" (actual), 39' 59" (prediction), 01' 13" slow (3.14% error)
We've been slow on recent time trials. I continue to marvel at how great these cyclists are and how much improvement there is from year to year. BMC averaged 54.94 kph (34.14 mph), an average speed that boggles my mind. And the reason it boggles my mind is because I can't imagine being good enough to cycle that fast for as long as they did, even if I could draft the entire time!
Belgian Greg Van Avermaet takes over the yellow jersey and Tejay van Garderen from my country sits in second place. It's been an exciting start to this year's Tour de France with a new yellow jersey wearer after each of the first three stages.
Tomorrow's Stage 4 gets underway in La Baule on the west coast of France. The 195-km (121-mi) flat stage finishes a little ways up the coast in Sarzeau. Below is our prediction.
- Stage 04: 4h 17' 52" (prediction)
Will the yellow jersey be waiting for someone new after tomorrow's stage?
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