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Int J Sports Med 2007; 28(9): 756-761
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-964982
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Power Output during the Tour de France

S. Vogt1 , Y. O. Schumacher1 , K. Roecker1 , H.-H. Dickhuth1 , U. Schoberer2 , A. Schmid1 , L. Heinrich1
  • 1Department of Preventive and Rehabilitative Sports Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
  • 2SRM GmbH, Schoberer Rad Meßtechnik, Jülich, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision August 12, 2006

Publication Date:
11 May 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the demands of riding a “Grand Tour” by monitoring both heart rate and power output in 15 professional cyclists. SRM power output profiles (SRM Trainingsystem, Jülich, Germany) were collected during 148 mass start stages during the 2005 Tour de France and analyzed to establish average power, heart rate (HR) and cadence produced in different terrain categories (flat [FLT]; semi-mountainous [SMT]; mountainous [MT]). The maximal mean power (MMP) for progressively longer durations was quantified. Average HR was similar between FLT (133 ± 10 bpm) and SMT (134 ± 8 bpm) but higher during MT (140 ± 3 bpm). Average power output revealed a similar trend (FLT 218 ± 21 W [3.1 ± 0.3 W/kg], SMT 228 ± 22 W [3.3 ± 0.3 W/kg], and MT 234 ± 13 W [3.3 ± 0.2 W/kg]). Cadence during MT was approximately 6 - 7 rpm lower (81 ± 15 rpm) compared to FLT or SMT. During MT stages, the MMP for 1800 sec. was highest (394 W vs. 342 W) but the MMP 15 was lower (836 W vs. 895 W) compared to FLT. The data document comprehensively the power output demands during the Tour de France.

Key words

SRM powermeter - competition analysis - professional cycling - Grand Tours

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Dr. MD Stefan Vogt

Department of Preventive and Rehabilitative Sports Medicine
University of Freiburg

Hugstetter Straße 55

79106 Freiburg

Germany

Phone: + 49 76 12 70 74 55

Fax: + 49 76 12 70 74 70

Email: stefan.vogt@uniklinik-freiburg.de

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