Vanmarcke sees world champion Pogačar pushing the limit, while Van Aert remains unique in this area

The ideal cycling position has become increasingly important in modern racing. Whereas in the past, little attention was paid to it and everything revolved around who could ride the hardest, today's cycling operates completely differently. Riders and teams go to great lengths to find the ‘perfect position’ to gain an edge over their competitors—because millimeters can make the difference between winning or losing. Former pro cyclist Sep Vanmarcke discusses this topic in Het Nieuwsblad.

"One area where riders are searching for marginal gains is their cycling position. It would be interesting to compare a photo of Eddy Merckx with one of Tadej Pogačar today, both performing a similar effort on a road bike," the Belgian former pro begins.

"You’ll see that Merckx was much more stretched out and lower on the bike. That’s how it was back then—the saddle positioned far back with little so-called ‘drop,’ the vertical distance between the top of the handlebars and the saddle. This position drew nearly all the power from the upper legs and put a lot of strain on the lower back."

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Eddy Merckx 

The evolution of modern cycling continues to advance

Vanmarcke has experienced firsthand how the sport continues to evolve. "There is much more focus on aerodynamics, which is clearly visible in how handlebars have developed over time. They are now much lower than before and have also become significantly narrower. At the beginning of my career, I rode with handlebars that were 44 centimeters wide. By the time I retired, we were down to 38 centimeters, and today, even 36 centimeters is no longer unusual."

"The saddle is also positioned much further forward than it used to be," the former Omloop Het Nieuwsblad winner continues. "When I started, seat posts would naturally be angled backward, whereas now they are completely straight. The setback—the horizontal distance between the saddle’s tip and the bottom bracket—is much smaller than before. This makes the riding position more aerodynamic but also less comfortable."

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Wout van Aert

Pogačar strives for perfect position, Van Aert is an outlier

According to the Belgian analyst, the current world champion is a prime example of cycling’s evolution. "Pogačar pays extreme attention to his hip angle. That’s why he even uses short 165-millimeter cranks. The longer the cranks, the higher the foot rises during the pedal stroke, which pushes the upper legs more toward the torso. What stands out to me is that Pogačar rides in a fairly upright position."

And Wout van Aert? According to Vanmarcke, he is an exception to the rule. "One observation I made as a pro: to what extent do riders actually maintain their ideal, millimeter-perfect position under full effort? I see many riders sliding forward, right to the tip of their saddle. The exception is Van Aert, who always uses the entire seating surface."

"I’ve tried all the aerodynamic innovations on the road, including shorter cranks," Vanmarcke admits. "My feeling is that they mainly benefit you on climbs or during long solo attacks. But I was never that kind of rider. It's important to be aware of all the latest advancements, but even more important is that your position on the bike feels right. Otherwise, you have a problem."

Read also

"Tadej just had his breakfast," says Alaphilippe, who shares his opinion as the Pogacar of his time: "It makes me sad"

Fourth last year in the Tour of Flanders, but now back as domestique: "Pogačar isn't afraid of Van der Poel or Van Aert"

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