Power Output During a Professional
Men's Road-Cycling Tour
Tammie R. Ebert, David T. Martin, Brian Stephens,
and Robert T. Withers
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2006;1:324-335
Purpose: To quantify the power-output demands of men's road-cycling stage
racing using a direct measure of power output. Methods: Power-output data were
collected from 207 races over 6 competition years on 31 Australian national male
road cyclists. Suhjects performed a maximal graded exercise tesi in the latroratory
to determine maximum aerobic-power output, and bicycles were fitted with SRM
power meters. Races were described as flat, hilly, or criterium, and linear mixed
modeling was used to compare the races. Results: Crilerium was the shortest
race and displayed the highest mean power output (criterium 262 ± 30 v hilly
203 ± 32 V flat 188 ± 30 W), percentage total race time above 7.5 W/kg (criterium
15.5% ± 4.1% V hiUy 3.8% ± 1.7% v flat 3.5% ± 1.4%) and SD in power
output (criterium 250 v hilly 165 v flat 169 W). Approximately 67%. 80%, and
85% of total race time was spent below 5 W/kg for criterium, hilly and flat races,
respectively. About 70,40. and 20 sprints above maximum aerobic-power output
occurred during criterium, hilly, and flat races, respectively, with most sprints being 6 to
10 s. Conclusions: These data extend previous research documenting the demands of
men's road cycling. Despite the relatively low mean power output, races were
characterized by multiple high-intensity surges above maximum aerobic-power
output. These data can be used to develop sport-specific interval-training programs
that replicate the demands of competition.
Key Words: SRM power meter, terrain, criterium