ProCyclingStats.com has contributed to dramatic improvements to check professional road cycling results since its launching. I am a big fun of it. I check their site almost everyday and imagine how other rivals compete in other races. Right after I race, I am looking forward to checking their publishing the result, not from officials because PCS's UI is far smarter everytime.
Also, I love data analysis. Actually, I worked for one year in a data science company after experiencing Champion System Cycling Team (Pro Conti) in 2013. After one-year retirement, in 2015, I am back to cycling. I struggled a lot to become fit again in 2015 and am getting better. I decided to do smarter not only harder in 2016.
It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles ---Sun Tzu
To know my rivals, PCS is very good start point, right? I gathered Height and Weight information of Pro Tour and Pro Conti riders from their site.
Firstly I simply plotted all of them. The number of riders is 957. 800 of their height and weight are registered.
I find I am relatively short and light compared to PT/PCT guys. To tell the truth, I knew it... haha.
Secondary, I explored trends by nationality just for curiosity.
I noticed several interesting trends.
- France, Italy, and Spain have very similar trends. See eclipses.
- Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany also look similar.
- British and Danish riders have smaller variety compared to others.
- Colombian riders are apparently short and light. Probably a lot of climbers.
- Swiss & Czech riders have wider variety.
- Off course Japanese guys are short and light. I am not an exception.
