Which Pro Sprinter Has The Fastest Position? GCN Does Science

[@JeremyHansenblue2kid3]

Poor guy. Worst words to live by "I could have done better" my advice it's times that have changed and I don't doubt you always gave it 110% and you still achieved what many would love to do. Including work for GCN. Put those if, and buts, away you're a legend to me and one guy that seems super nice.

[@beyond990]

Bluekid Well said!

[@racarth1]

Fully agree.

[@YellowGreenRedBlue]

Give it 100%. 110% is impossible. Only idiots recommend that. - Ron Swanson, Pyramid of Greatness.

[@pulafun]

@@YellowGreenRedBlue that's mathematics, 110% is impossible

[@bitofbeer]

And 2 years later he's a pro again.

[@Dennis4523]

My sprinting position is just slamming my head on my front wheel with tire marks on my forehead , seems really aero but kinda hurts

[@XeLYoutube]

yea thats what they said but nose.

[@jin.t2940]

Honestly I think the guy on the hand-pedalled recumbent bicycle has the most aerodynamic position 🤣 (8.39 into the video)

[@awildtomappeared5925]

recumbent are a lot more areo, but the have some problems, lower means less visibility and control, being behind the pedals instead of into means you can't push down onto the pedals as much when sprinting and recumbent are heavier, especially if you get one with a cover which increases aerodynamics to about as good as human powered travel can be, but the weight makes hills harder

[@arcrew1822]

I think so to n you guys Can subscribe to my Channel that would bé great thx

[@edrcozonoking]

J.T Tan yeah but he wouldn’t get through the climbs to be in the sprint to begin with.

[@Grunge_Cycling]

@@arcrew1822 no

[@arcrew1822]

@@Grunge_Cycling y u Say no

[@phildunn1983]

Start off the sprint in the cav for acceleration and transition to the caleb towards peak speed.

[@Grunge_Cycling]

I agree. The Caleb position moves too much weight to the front wheel, and you risk losing traction in the rear (happens a lot more often than one thinks).

[@LaskeFA]

@@Grunge_Cycling Well yes, if you don't have smooth pedaling technique and pull up way too hard.

[@Grunge_Cycling]

@@LaskeFA You're barely supposed to pull up at all.

[@simongeeves9662]

In reality it's what Caleb actually does.He never starts his sprint in a low position

[@phildunn1983]

Initially you have to pull hard to produce the torque to accelerate. However, it'll be again more of a transition to lower torque but high cadence after the initial effort to start the sprint. Would be interesting to see a torque curve over time.

[@BruceRobertson]

Thanks for this: Opie's good-natured humility and expertise are a fine combination.

[@anttonadarraga6472]

Well, to make the Greipel work, you kind of need Greipel's legs.

[@hbade]

Just imagine if he adopted a more aero position.

[@TheSteinbitt]

@@hbade He would probably loose a lot of power. They learn how to sprint by sprinting against others growing up racing, you naturally adopt the fastest position for you.

[@hbade]

barebare judging by the results of this video, he wouldn’t necessarily lose a lot of that power. We should also take into account that the fastest position might not be the BEST position. Gripel’s form makes him really wide which is intimidating and difficult to pass if you’re in a bunch sprint. Since he’s usually out front, it’s only beneficial unless someone sneaks around.

[@JS-tb9hu]

@@TheSteinbitt Caleb Ewan adopted his position after some testing

[@msironen]

@@TheSteinbitt did you watch the video? Chris Opie just broke his sprint PR by changing from a position he's used for a decade.

[@luisgallo5518]

At minute 7:21 you can see a car trying to overtake Chris, and right when he pops up sprinting the car driver goes "nope" and gets back in the line. Now that's power right there!

[@clementhoussais7480]

Actually no, that car is just passing another cyclist behind and then getting back in the line

[@luisgallo5518]

@@clementhoussais7480 You're right! Good call mate!

[@prestachuck2867]

True, but just for fun, I’m going to say that Chris kept him at bay. 😁

[@Greg-1080k]

When youre sprinting and suddeenly theres a 15 kmph headwind

[@TheSteinbitt]

Sprinting by drafting a motorcycle is probably the fastest position of them all!

[@crypto_que]

The Opie is my go to sprint position, thanks for letting me know it had a name. I'd never considered tucking in my arms whilst sprinting b/c it looks less stable. I tried this yesterday, & to my surprise, keeping my elbows locked in creates a stiffer area above the core creating an even more locked in feeling, in fact it almost feels like I'm using more of my core & it's easier to stay in rhythm.

[@robertchung4914]

Very nice. It's interesting, of course, that while you can use a wind tunnel to find the minimal drag position, you have to go onto to the road to see if it's actually feasible; in this case, Caleb Ewan's position wasn't but Cavendish's was. That's one reason why field testing for aero drag is an excellent complement to wind tunnels: you use the tunnel to winnow down to a handful of alternative positions, then you go onto the road to see which are sustainable.

[@theparalexview785]

After watching this video when it first appeared, and others demonstrating the Cavendish method, I started working on that style, as well as on short, steep climbs. Works great. It feels better balanced on climbs, standing while in the drops, because some of the weight is shifted back. But I had to rework my bike fit - longer stem and lower bar, plus compact drops rather than my old school drops.

[@dailowhui]

Caleb actually start his sprint a little upright for the snap and slowly change into the aerodynamic position.

[@RJ-sx6ti]

Because of his height and saddle height it is easy for caleb to be in his aero sprint position. I tried his sprint position and i really feel uncomfy because my saddle height is like 8 inches higher than the top tube

[@jaykan1002]

Agree. I’m exact same height and weight as him, and I have adopted his sprinting style too. I can attest to your statement. Little up right gives the initial snap, and the torpedo gives the top speed once you slam through the gear with raw power and get up to cadence Also, Caleb’s torpedo is definitely lower than Chris’s torpedo

[@kovacvisuals]

Chris's Caleb sprint is actually Cav sprint

[@evanreeves5966]

More sprinter videos! Love em

[@Outsideville]

Great to have an actual sprinter to talk about sprinting. I've always been an Opie-style guy. Just didn't have a name for it. Too bad my max power (also about 1800 W) in a sprint is less propulsive for my 195 lb frame.

[@ChrisCapoccia]

"less stable" also helps explain why cav crashes so much

[@theparalexview785]

Yup, the more aero the sprint position, the more unstable it becomes. Probably why most sprinters play it a bit on the safety side to avoid injuring themselves or others.

[@50nakamura]

Nice work! I must say that the Caleb position...scares the heck out of me!

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

I agree...that looks terrifying!

[@shaungreen6967]

Chris deserves the Wattage Bazooka for this! Honest assessment at the end on his own position, and makes you wonder why even at the Conti / Pro-Conti level more work isn't done on this with their riders.

[@yardenfernandez2002]

I sprint like Caleb, what I tend to do is Cavendish when building up my speed and full on Caleb when locked in to a straight line

[@robandheidi1]

Would have liked to have seen Xav come up with some wacky sprint positions based on his TT knowledge, superman sprint position?😅

[@bbsmk1]

@Chris I've been working on this and getting decent sprint power over 10 seconds, but I keep popping the back wheel off the deck, which is obviously causing a loss in momentum. Any thoughts? #torquback

[@bigring6424]

Get a longer bike and shorter stem? More distance between you and the front contact surely helps keep the back weighted when out of the saddle. Unfortunately while you can move seats and stems you can't move the BB back.

[@swites]

Caleb being a very small compact rider could get away with his position a lot better than a guy like me who is all long arms and legs. Honesty if I tried Caleb's position even on an empty road, I'd be likely to fall off as I'd be super unstable. But then again I'm happy to leave all that to the guys who can actually sprint to start with.

[@yannickokpara4861]

Fyi: Caleb Ewan sprints much closer to Cav maybe even slightly more upright in the early phase of the sprint and then transitions. He has said this himself :) Found it a bit funny that Chris didn't like the narrow elbows as my shoulders width is 44 and I love me some 36cm bars. On a sidenote could you test how noise(like they do in tennis) impacts your performance? I used to do bout 13-1400 peak power but when I grunt like a crazed rabies dog, I hit 1800+.

[@jeffbrower8773]

the word is "rabid" 😀

[@simongeeves9662]

It's probably said by many others here but Caleb's position is not the starting sprint position for him. He has said in many interviews, he starts aero enough not to compromise his power output but when he is at full gas and safe to do so he will increase the aero advantage by getting as low as possible. Sorta makes it a no brainer really, I mean the guy did test the fact and came up wit his own conclusions. Probably why he is crazy fast when guys twice the weight are behind him at the finish line. Lord Acton said "Absolute power corrupts absolutely" . He was too late to observe.... Until, you add "aerodynamics"

[@mellowcat42]

It was interesting that you did both lab and real world testing to see if the former could be replicated in an actual race. Also enjoyed the nod to Jeremy Clarkson/Top Gear (..."and on that bombshell ...") , Ollie!

[@enziner1]

8:38 *what a surprise*

[@ИльяБо-и5ш]

wtf is this tandem

[@A_W_Bell]

I hope Chris hasn't got a speeding ticket with 70kph sprints

[@Grunchy005]

Bragging rights 😄

[@iJunzy]

Is 70 already a high number? I'm averaging 65 on flat sprints, guess im quite near

[@robbchastain3036]

You guys do good science, sorry I goofed about you doing fake science. But seriously, this was really good, as always. And Chris, maybe just looking good is really the win?

[@Penta_Penguin_237]

This test came out to be very useful

[@gmgcubing2073]

It's hard to actually swing the bike like CAV, since it's so risky to perform. You can tell Cav swung it super aggressively side to side. I've tried it once and nearly hit the sidewalk.

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

I still think we don’t sit on the bike the best way to use our strengths or the bike is the wrong shape......we need a style of bike that enhances an Olympic 100 m racer, forward facing but legs pushing down behind the body, the legs are the strongest in that position....

[@chrisl.6158]

Really good video! Thanks, GCN!

[@taufikabidin412]

hmm, not quite true as you don't get that bike swaying motion. This is just straight. I think different position also affects how much you sway the bike

[@velolego]

MashaAllah. Very true

[@jasonmcgrody9472]

How many watts are saved in the "tongue out" position?

[@amorinfinito6500]

great video.Calwb position is crazy...

[@courtdavidson8965]

Great work lads. More videos like this please.

[@mungolikescandy3270]

I'm really surprised that chris (or any of his coaches) didn't have a go at sprinting in cavendish's position at some point

[@nerdexproject]

Awesome video! You guys are the best!😍

[@sandrop.92]

Obree knew that that was the most aero position on a bike almost 30 years ago and without a wind tunnel.

[@alexgeisel2581]

Check out Obree in a wind tunnel on youtube if you haven't already. Great vid, seen it many times. Endura sponsored it.

[@jackseph03]

Here's an idea for a show: What happened to the cycling mitt? Part of the fabric of road cycling. They used to be an essential part of the roadies wardrobe, yet now more people don't wear them than do. Personally, I can't leave home without them. What happened?

[@compassionsix]

You ask what position I prefer? I prefer any that I could put out 1300 + watts. That power if ever existed is in my rear view mirror

[@MarkJones-bc5vx]

Great video guys. I enjoyed the research and education.

[@alexanderlind6069]

What glasses are Opi wearing in the windtunnel? They look great!

[@D.Eldon_]

Well done, Chris. Thanks.

[@ygtcbee23]

Olie + Wind tunnel = GCN Gold

[@benkretz]

I wish I could sprint! I may need to test out some of these.

[@richaw6689]

Excellent GCN does science fellas!

[@zipp404]

1483 watts?!! You're a monster

[@Mastorm]

I Always use Ewan position in race and i'm easy on clean roads but it's a bit dangerous when there is too much hole😅

[@aaronhuie7013]

Cavendish for the first half of the sprint, Caleb for the last half.... The trick would be transitioning between them without dropping the power below where you'd normally be in the Caleb.

[@rof8200]

Awesome presentation. Good one guys

[@preabo]

0:51 MFW I only get a NICE and not a SUPERNICE

[@tonyfranklin8306]

A more powerful rider like AG can afford to be more open chested, he needs to be that to take advantage of his upper torso muscles. The different rider sizes/technique is what makes the sprint so interesting. The old 'nodders' of yesteryear were really fantastic.

[@bdf8011]

You know Zav knows his stuff because of the tucked in sweatshirt at 1:18. DEAD giveaway, mate.

[@Dak3y]

On ya Chris. You're a good sport, mate.

[@joeyc8546]

How does the weight distribution change affect the accuracy for the wind tunnel results?

[@stephenharrison645]

Great video. Interesting and self effacing. Cheers!

[@carlstatham594]

Great video. Kepp them coming.

[@dodge3048]

I'm surprised there was no discussion or comparison of the wind tunnel results and the real world results.

[@perryvath7617]

They didn’t discuss it, because they DID it.

[@dodge3048]

@@perryvath7617yeah, they did stuff but just doing stuff and showing the results doesn't constitute a proper experiment. They should have compared the results for each position and discussed why the wind tunnel gains weren't realised out on the road.

[@jamesmason2291]

What about Sagan what does he do

[@thyalex2442]

Whooa havent seen a gcn video in like a year or so... who the heck are these guys lol I like them though

[@kvr814]

To update: Matt left, emma pooley joined and left after a year, chris and james are fresh off the pro boat, and ollie is the resident phd

[@thyalex2442]

@@kvr814 aahh yes thanks thats the last video i saw is when matt left. wow i just checked and that was 12 months ago. But thanks for the quick update. I have alot of gcn shows to binge now lol

[@lenahygiena]

@@thyalex2442 also: Chris is sprinter, James raced fixed gear recently, Ollie likes bling and tech.

[@bagusla_alhamdulillah]

Which gear you recommend 53-12?

[@IanHuang1984]

This is probably not entirely relevant to the video, but I wonder if Mathieu Van Der Poel could even increase his speed when he’s sprinting. Granted, he’s probably having excellent power output at the end of the race, but we can easily tell how much his bike is shaking left and right when he’s sprinting. It seems to me more of a uphill climb/ sprint position, maybe he just have more success in that position from his CX background?

[@lukeenparis]

How about the Cavendish position to accelerate and then drop into the Caleb position for a super fast Opie?

[@edrcozonoking]

Caleb’s position is aero but I wonder how much power he loses to loss of grip in the rear

[@lfoster7601]

Cavendish might have an aero position when he's sprinting, and it might feel less safe - and his record of win or crash probably bears this out

[@Keyboardbeatz]

i like to watch dave from the pub sprinting bolt up right on his 1500 watt bike

[@lisapet160]

Very informative. The only question I have so far is how and when the measurements had been taken during the road tests? Was Chris drafting behind the camera (wo)man whilst sprinting with powermeter and speedometer, or filming and measurements had been done separately?

[@Evilc47]

I was wondering the same thing. Data skewed from motor pacing? Great video though. I have come to hate that stretch of road. Usually going the other way into headwind after long hard ride.

[@dannyhanny1191]

Question about gearing - what gears was Chris using to achieve his sprints? My 11-rear and whatever I have on the front seems to spin-out at about 57 KPH. I'm not saying I can get close to what he's doing, but it seems that either that was a really fast spin-rate, or he has a bigger front chainring.

[@Evilc47]

He did mention a 52 -11.

[@Woody321]

Here’s an aerodynamic quandary for ya, does hair impede airflow through a helmets vents enough to cause an aero disadvantage? Now all you have to do is get a presenter to do 2 tests, one with hair and then shave it off for a second test 🤣

[@neilmdon]

So you tested a single, fixed position; however, falcons adapt their shape to their speed. Given the need for acceleration, it makes sense to go for max power early on (when speed is also slowest so drag is less important), but why not start out gorilla and then put your nose to the wheel as you speed up (aside from the high chance of flipping over the bars)? It is obviously more complicated, but does anybody seriously train / explore some form of adaptive positioning?

[@aliguerrero7991]

Ollie's teleportation 😂😂😂😂 ... I'm dying

[@oscarmichell5558]

8:38 What on earth is that "bike" he goes past?

[@shakinwakin35]

Lol, had the same thought, "There are two VERY different things going on right now."

[@JanneRasanen2]

The bike you are probably referring to is a recumbent handcycle. They are great for those who want to keep on cycling after losing mobility of their legs.

[@theylivewesee1674]

can we get a special on top of the line aero bike vs aero recumbent bike

[@janwillemkuilenburg7561]

Fantastic video!

[@Greg-1080k]

Calleb i use when headwinds is 15 kmph

[@TriRussell1]

Got to love Chris!

[@Stubbo1950]

Surely need to have the head up in the wind tunnel to make it more realistic?

[@LegSpinna]

8:35 Lasty, is that you?

[@ScottyCycles]

Caleb doesn't start in the really low-forward position, he transitions into it from more of a Cav position.

[@MattyJC46]

Chris you beast!

[@jackrigal9085]

Could u not start in the cavendish position to get the initial speed up then drop down the more aero one?

[@soundninja99]

That's what Caleb usually does

[@LaughingSaint66]

I do the Caleb position a lot and have loads of KOM’s and I don’t feel I’m a powerful sprinter at all so clearly it works for me

[@ckhamstery]

Caleb ewan the real midousoji

[@tristanang5027]

great video guys

[@awildtomappeared5925]

the caleb position looks like your going to go over the front wheel if you it anything bigger than a feather

[@pk512279]

Good science & humility, good vid. The others can't match your hair Chris.

[@filiperibeiroferro6414]

I reckon, maybe, start in the strongest/safest position, and then going for the most aero position. Would it be possible? #askgmbn

[@AndrewSmith-cd5zf]

Sprinting with a 52 - 11, bit like bringing a knife to a gunfight... unless you’re doing the sprints into the wind and take the top end out of it..

[@cremenivea6282]

Ollie's face when he sees the power outputs 😂😂😂

[@stuartdryer1352]

Interesting and terrifying.

[@iclapuyt5582]

Idk when I sprint the faster I go the lower I go is that ok?

[@benbraceletspurple9108]

What you train in.

[@ondrastehlikll.1948]

Chris didn't do the Caleb Ewan position properly on the road. Edit: I tried this position myself and it's not very easy(especially when you try to pedal very hard).

[@Grunchy005]

Chris didn’t get as low as on the wind tunnel setup

[@Grunchy005]

Garry Rybar supposedly did a scene at 58 mph behind a semi truck for Breaking Away (1979), how realistic is that? Also do pro-riders ever cheat by ‘bumping’ your shifters as they go past? I always wondered about that! #torqueback

[@drketangadre]

My peak power till date has been 1138 watts. 1483 just sounds crazy

[@Tachikom1010]

Motor pacing.

[@hbade]

The more exhausted Chris gets, the more he sounds like Alex Dowsett.

[@mielvanvelzen5967]

Tbh caleb ewan only uses that position at the last bit of the sprint when he gets out of a slipstream.

[@KimTumamakMusicPH]

wtf midosouji