Lance Armstrong 'genetic freak' says U of M professor

 The world is watching Lance Armstrong's return to the Tour de France after a four year absence.

 But few are watching like Stacy Ingraham. "He's a genetic freak by our terms," she says.

Ingraham means no disrespect, but the University of Minnesota exercise physiologist can't help but be fascinated by Lance Armstrong's internal engine.

 "He's got an incredible VO2 Max, which is the ability to utilize oxygen."

Ingraham compares Armstrong's genetic gifts to that massive torso possessed by Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.

"You put his picture next to a dolphin and they're identical. A dolphin is two thirds torso, one third leg."

But even an efficient engine could carry Armstrong only so far.

"What I think makes him extraordinary is his work capacity and we're not so sure that's not genetic too," says Ingraham.

 Even Armstrong's back is built for a bike, according to Greg Rhodes, a tri-athlete and U of M graduate student in kinesiology -- the study of human movement.

"He's got a specific hump in his back we associate to a larger heart and his larger lung capacity.

But that allows him actually to have a smoother flow over the back of his body to be more aerodynamic," observes Rhodes.

Lance Armstrong has already won the Tour de France a record seven times, from 1999 to 2005.

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