Jan's wheel...

artmichalek said:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2005/news/08-27
I'm not so sure about the 20 watt calculation, and it probably didn't cost him the race, but that's still gotta hurt.

Well, it is not a simple tri-spoke wheel, there are four spokes. each is curved and cut like a propeller, so that means its like a plane having the flaps up on the wings a bit I'd say.

He lost any advantage from having the right wheels and probably would have put in at least 10-20 seconds which makes it a whisker closer, and if he's that close he probably would flip out and take the stage...or outsprint Levi the next day for bonuses.

We'll never know, but BTW why didnt Jan catch it.
His mechanic should have...probably fire the mechanic.
Whoops, his mechanic is also his brother!!!!!!!!!!
Probably just another Discovery plot foolin with his TT bike...

I can`t believe that happened to Jan!:eek:Check these photos:Photo 1,Photo 2,Photo 3,Photo 4. These are just few of them, found in 5 mins.🙂

Virenque said:

I can`t believe that happened to Jan!:eek:Check these photos:Photo 1,Photo 2,Photo 3,Photo 4. These are just few of them, found in 5 mins.🙂

Completely agree.
He ALWAYS checks his bike.
After the warm up maybe they jsut throw those new things on, but he'd have to check how they rode and felt before taking off?

Crikey o reily.The guys one of the most experienced pros around.I know he isnt remotely like Mr Millimetre but still ....mechanics fault first , Jans fault second.
Schoolboy error.Both Ullrichs should feel very dumb if this is true.

hombredesubaru said:

Well, it is not a simple tri-spoke wheel, there are four spokes. each is curved and cut like a propeller, so that means its like a plane having the flaps up on the wings a bit I'd say.

The spokes are shaped like air foils, there's no yaw angle like on a propeller, so it's more like trying to fly a plane backwards. It's a big drag increase for each spoke, but I'm not sure how much of the total drag they account for.