It wasn't as gruelling as climbing the Alpe d'Huez in the Tour de France, but Cadel Evans' unusual cycle on Monday could be his most important ever.
The first Australian to win cycling's marquee event pedalled inside an MRI machine in Brisbane's Prince Charles Hospital.
The 36-year-old was helping scientists conduct ground-breaking research into heart and lung disease.
MRI images of the super-fit cyclist's heart will be used by scientists as a benchmark for how a healthy heart should look as it is given a thorough workout.
Most symptoms of heart and lung disease occur during exercise and it is hoped the project will help improve treatment.
"Heart Foundation of Australia figures show that one person dies from heart or lung disease every 24 minutes, about the same time it takes me to complete a short time trial," Mr Evans said.
"I hope this technology and research will ultimately save lives."
The hospital's Richard Slaughter Centre of Excellence in Cardiac MRI is the only unit in Australia using an ultra-fast MRI scanner developed by Siemens.
Associate Professor Christian Hamilton-Craig said: "The results are likely to change the way we diagnose and treat people with heart and lung disease.
"Scans will help inform us when the patient may need open heart surgery, a heart or lung transplant, or whether medications are working for the patient."
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