Miguel Indurain, legendary Spanish cyclist and five-time consecutive winner of the Tour de France, is known not only for his sporting successes but also for his exceptional physiological characteristics. One of the most surprising aspects of his career is his incredible resting heart rate: just 28 beats per minute.
This value is significantly lower than average and represents one of the reasons why Indurain is considered a unique phenomenon in the world of cycling.
Interviewed by Cyclist, Indurain explained how, during his career, he was constantly subjected to physical tests. Many other cyclists of the time had excellent physical condition, but what set Indurain apart was his mental ability to make the most of these physical qualities. “You have to be very strong mentally” he said, emphasizing that psychological preparation was crucial to success.
Indurain was known for his apparent serenity during races. “What you saw on the outside was exactly what was on the inside” he said, describing his focused, distraction-free state of mind during competitions.
Speaking about modern equipment, Indurain recognized the advantages of new technologies, but he reiterated that physical qualities remain fundamental. “You can’t buy physical qualities” he stated, adding that technological advances are only a complement to an athlete’s innate talents (today we hear more and more often about ‘technological doping’).
Indurain remains an iconic figure in the world of cycling, not only for his victories, but also for his extraordinary physical abilities: to make a comparison you must know that the average human being it is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. While there was a man who reached 600 beats per minute.
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