I thought that as well. I can't imagine anyone who reads athletics/cycling reports wouldn't have recognized those for what they were. He's not far wrong in the article, to be fair - just in suggesting that the artist invented the technique. But that suggests he did no research beyond a misleading gallery press release, since just googling the term brings up lots of interesting stuff.

I don't mean to denigrate the art though, because the pics are still striking and interesting.

I hadn't, so it certainly is possible.