Nibali by the numbers

Now a rare career winner of all three Grand Tours, Vincenzo Nibali may be the best stage racer in the world today.

Despite his already well know pedigree, in some ways 2014 has been a breakthrough year for the Sicilian, as he combined his instinctive riding with a more scientific approach to racing to win the Tour de France.

Weight: 63kg

Height: 185cm

Resting HR: 33bpm

Kilometres ridden: 32,584 from 11 Dec 2013 - 31 Oct 2014 (996 hours in the saddle)

Average speed: 32km/h

Energy consumption: 153,274 kilocalories - Approx 440 plates of 100 gram pasta.

Race days: 73

Race kilometres: 11,794

Fastest speed (downhill): 102km/h - Tour de France Stage 7

Best training wattage: 1500 watts over 5sec/1100 watts over 20sec

Best race wattage: 473watts/4min - Tour de France Stage 2

Nibali will again target the Tour de France in 2015, which is shaping up to be the biggest and most competitive Grand Tour showdown in many years. Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Chris Froome (Sky) and a number of second tier challengers like Robert Gesink (LottoNL-Jumbo) and Tejay van Garderen (BMC) will all be there to provide the fireworks.

Via: La Gazzetta dello Sport