Track Star vs Field Hero

[OreoGaborio]

I used to run track & field where I did the 4x400, high-jump & pole vault, I've played soccer, baseball, basketball, I've skiid, snowboarded a few times, I've tried mountain climing, mountain hiking, etc etc etc..... Each of those activities requires a different aspect & level of fitness....


But how many here have tried to ride at or near 100% of your ability for roughly 40 minutes like the MotoGP guys do?

Me personally, the longest motorcycle race that I compete in is a 20 minute GP... and before I learned that it wasn't a sprint & I needed to pace myself, I was BEGGING for the white flag by the 15th minute.

Of course that's at Loudon, NH, one of the most notoriously technical & exhausting full size road courses in the States... There's hardly ANYWHERE to rest besides the front straight which is only about 1/2 a mile long.... but my point still applies... On some tracks it's extremely taxing to ride a motorcycle at that level for that length of time.



But to answer the question: I think it's about the same. All sports require top level conditioning to achieve top level performance.

Good question




EDIT: Oh, by the way... http://www.spearsenterprises.com/riders.html#rick
The Loudon Road Racing Series is one of the most competitive club racing scenes in the states and as you can see from that link, Rick Doucette wins multiple championships almost every year.... And he's as FAT as a motorcycle racer gets! But as INCREDIBLY talented as he is, put him up against a guy with equal skill but who's in better shape.... No question who I'd put my money on.