Forget VO2 max - a Tour de France cyclist's defining quality is their frightening capacity to suffer
Professional cyclists and experts discuss the concept of 'suffering' as a defining metric of success in the sport, noting that it remains subjective and difficult to quantify. The article explores how athletes use tools like the Borg Scale to manage and push their physical limits.
Why it matters
Understanding the psychological and physiological limits of elite athletes provides insight into the nature of human performance and the evolution of sports science.
“Cyclists live with pain. If you can’t handle it, you will win nothing. The race is won by the rider who can suffer the most.” Those were the words of the greatest rider of all time, Eddy Merckx, when asked about the relationship between cycling and suffering.
The article focuses on sports physiology and athlete perspectives without taking a political or controversial stance.
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