Cyclist: Can we check your pulse?
Miguel Indurain: Let me see if I can find it. I think it’s 45.
Cyc: How does it feel to have been regarded as a specimen on display because of your low resting heart rate (28bpm), huge lung capacity and high VO2 max?
MI: Specimen? I suppose it’s true I was. But actually, in my time we were all tested regularly and there were lots of other riders who were in great physical condition too. But they didn’t have the mental capacity to make the most of those attributes so their results were never reported.
You have to be very strong mentally. A lot of riders are prepared physically
