Comprehensive Climbers Ranking

[vappa]

After redoing my Cipressa and Poggio segments, my numbers for MSR:

Tadej Pogacar | 108 (+1): 7.94 W/kg for 8:49 on Cipressa (MSR 2026)

Pidcock and van der Poel did 7.47 and 7.42 w/kg respectively. As Pidcock is a bit under 60kg, he did even slightly more in real watts/kg and van der Poel (75kg) did much less (~6.9+ w/kg).

This is the third highest Index in my database, although Pogacar also slightly 'profits' from the use of 60kg eW/kg here. A consideration in the other direction is that the pacing was less regular than on PdB, making this more impressive.


[I said I won't publish my Poggio numbers anymore due the extremely high uncertainties, so take this with an extra grain of salt: Even after giving a substantial penalty for motor-drafting, I still calculated ~8 w/kg for 5:44 on Poggio. This would (after positive adjustments due to the prior Cipressa effort) result in a final Index of around 100 for the Poggio.]

Two consecutive efforts of 100+ are unprecedented, making this a candidate for the strongest overall w/kg performance in history. Of course you can argue that the watts are somewhat 'wasted' for a race like MSR, where there are easier ways to win. You can decide for yourself if this makes the performance more or less impressive.



Finally: Pogacar did around 0.2+ w/kg more than last year on both climbs (8+ Index points). Last years Cipressa (now 98 after recalc, which was in the Top 24 list will be replaced by this years).
MvdP did similar watts as last year on Cipressa and slightly more on Poggio (though with much more regular pacing making this easier).

Overall, I tried to be too low rather than too high with the result, but it is still not certain by any means. If I get new information in the future about CdA, CRR or measured power numbers etc. I might still correct the calculation again.

If it helps your calculation in any way, apparently he used 28mm tires instead of 30mm like last year

 

[Peyresourde]

If it helps your calculation in any way, apparently he used 28mm tires instead of 30mm like last year

Thanks, but this is too specific to be of help. Nobody can calculate the exact difference in CdA just based on the components used. He also used a new helmet that I assume is a bit faster.

 

[Red Rick]

He's also fatter, which is more aero.

 

[Red Rick]

The CdA I used is still a bit higher. 0.25 really seems unrealistically low if you look at their (or specifically Pogacar's) position on the bike while climbing, especially considering the standing attacks. Or do you have a source/basis for using 0.25?

No I just remember 0.25 being used on some climbs, but I think that was partially drafting.

Pog should also get a small aero benefit from Pidcock being in his wheel.