Int J Sports Med 2009; 30(4): 240-244
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1105948
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Time Trial Exertion Traits of Cycling's Grand Tours

C. P. Earnest 1 , C. Foster 2 , J. Hoyos 3 , C. A. Muniesa 4 , A. Santalla 5 , A. Lucia 4
  • 1Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Exercise Biology Laboratory, Baton Rouge, United States
  • 2Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin LaCrosse, La Crosee, United States
  • 3Professional Cycling Team, Caísse d’Espargne, Pamplona, Spain
  • 4Exercise Physiology, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
  • 5Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilal, Spain
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision October 16, 2008

Publication Date:
06 February 2009 (online)

Abstract

We examined 26 professional riders during time trial (TT) competitions of the Grand Tours of cycling (Tour de France and Vuelta Espana; 1997–2003) for the exertional characteristics of contending vs. non-contending (i.e., support) riders. We categorized HR time during TT into training impulse (TRIMP) defined from seasonal VO2max testing [Phase I (<ventilatory threshold (VT≈64% VO2max); Phase II (VT - respiratory compensation threshold, ≈83% VO2max); Phase III >RCP]. Races were: Short TT (<15 km; 8.9±2.9 km); Individual TT (>15 km; 48.12±8.7 km); Uphill TT (20.0±8.7 km) and Team TT (44.1±20.9 km). We observed statistically significant event-by-contender interactions for all TT (all, P<0.0001) except the short TT. During uphill TT, contenders exerted fewer total TRIMP (P<0.01), more Zone 3 TRIMP (P<0.05), and fewer Zone 2 TRIMP (P<0.01) vs. non-contenders. For individual TT, contenders accumulated more Total and Zone 3 TRIMP vs. non-contenders (all, P<0.05). Interestingly, during the team TT, contenders accumulated more Zone 3, and fewer Zone 2 TRIMP (all, P<0.05), despite having the opportunity to draft behind other riders while in paceline race formation. During TT events, contending riders compete at a level of exertion corresponding to a higher metabolic demand during the uphill TT, individual TT and team TT.

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Correspondence

Dr. C. P. EarnestPhD 

Exercise Biology Laboratory

Pennington Biomedical Research Center

6400 Perkins Road

70808 Baton Rouge

United States

Phone: +225/763/26 32

Fax: +225/763/26 32

Email: Conrad.Earnest@pbrc.edu