Getting saddle in the right position has little to do with reach or stem length; it IS all about being in the right place over the CRANK. Finding comfort from you to the bar comes after that.
I cannot IMAGINE why a 52 is even THOUGHT of. The chart you linked is 'old school' thinking, not something I'd even consider.
Naw, his geometry isn't unique; in fact, it's pretty close to what LeMond road bikes were using a decade ago (before Greg's troubles with Trek brought the brand to an untimely end).