Having followed the first week of the Tour de France 2012 with excitement one thing has amazed me. The age of the riders battling for the overall honours. In the thirty years I've followed this race, I've never before noticed such an ageing population of riders with Cadel Evans (AUS), Denis Menchov (RUS) and Haimar Zubeldia (ESP) all past or fastly approaching 35 years. Of course, it is still too early in the race to say any definitive, but comparing with the Top 10 after the 9th stage of the Tour de France 2002 two differences emerge. The average age of the Top 10 is slightly higher, but the real surprise is the big age variance of the Top 10 (difference between oldest and youngest rider).
Variance:
2012: 11 years, 179 days
2002: 6 years, 185 days
Average:
2012: 30 years, 107 days
2002: 29 years, 267 days
What accounts for this difference? Is it because younger riders are getting chances earlier to compete for the general classification? Is it the combined effect of an incredibly gifted younger generation and an older generation still holding on (with a "lost generation in the middle, not strong enough to push either out)? Or is it because the fight against doping is being won which levels the playing field and allows people to perform at top level but at an earlier age and at a later age?
I don't have the answers, but it's a question that intrigues me, and I will keep you updated on this.
I am fascinated by numbers. What fascinates me the most is telling the stories Behind The Numbers. JPLisdorf @ twitter.com
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