Big vs Small Athletes

From Endurance Corner

While it may seem so, the message here is not lose weight and get small at all costs. The greatest proportion of the vast majority of IM races is made up of relatively flat cycling. As previously mentioned, the prime determinant in your performance here is power:frontal area. Your frontal area is relatively fixed by your body frame and dimensions. Therefore, you need the right size engine for your chassis in order to be an effective flat cyclist and ironman. However, if you are an athlete with a larger chassis, choosing flatter, cooler courses may prove beneficial to your relative performance.