Publications

The fact that road cycling is an endurance sport is generally not up for discussion. However, new research on endurance provides food for thought. Are we looking at the right parameters to assess the performance level of a road cyclist? Are we selecting young talents the right way? And, are we, as trainer/coaches, emphasizing the right things in their training?

In the junior category, fatigue resistance is less important for success. However, these riders must already be prepared for the next step. In this second part, I aim to define practical guidelines for training and testing fatigue resistance based on four interviews with experts (Mathieu Heijboer, Dajo Sanders, Peter Leo, and James Spragg). How can we ensure that young riders develop well in this area to transition smoothly into the higher age categories?

"This looks like a very good resource for parents and coaches of young cyclists, but also just for young endurance athletes in general" - Stephen Seiler, Professor in Sport Science

"I recommend this book" - Chris Carmichael, Carmichael Training Systems

Do your own Power Speed Profile test and analyze your results on www.powerspeedprofile.com.

In road cycling aerobic efforts are often used as a benchmark for performance. However, road racing is more than just a steady-state aerobic endurance effort. The outcome of a race is often decided during critical periods where there is a significant contribution on the anaerobic system, for example when riders break-away from the group or in a final sprint. It is therefore important to know how well a rider performs during these critical periods.

Bon M.A. van & Vroemen G. (2018). Performance model for road cycling (part 1). Sportgericht, 72 (5), 14-21.

Bon M.A. van & Vroemen G. (2018). Performance model for road cycling (part 2). Sportgericht, 72 (6), 2-8.

Whether you are a sprinter depends on your physical characteristics, such as whether you have more slow-twitch or fast-twitch muscle fibers. However, even as a non-sprinter, you can benefit from sprint training and improve your peak power.

With so much focus on FTP and HIIT training, we almost forget that cycling races are nearly always decided in a sprint. Moreover, the final sprint isn’t the only time in a race when you need to sprint. Think about accelerating out of a corner or closing a gap to the group ahead. Sprint training helps you improve in these kinds of explosive efforts.

When Piotr Havik was able to claim victory in the Ronde van Overijssel after a thrilling, he was happy. More than happy. Because, after a period where things hadn’t been going so well, he was finally able to show what a great rider he is. But man, had he suffered.

The next day, Piotr Havik was enjoying his victory over breakfast with a cup of coffee, watching the race replay on YouTube (RTV Oost). Suddenly, something caught his attention..."

Marco and Leon van Bon are brothers, both passionate about cycling. How is it that Leon was so much more successful than Marco? Can this be explained by his DNA, or do other factors play a role? The brothers decide to have their DNA analyzed at the FitnessGenes laboratory, but Marco has a secret ulterior motive for doing so...

But first, he gets an in-depth briefing from Alex Auld of FitnessGenes.

You can’t open a cycling magazine or read an article online without coming across Functional Threshold Power (FTP). But what is it exactly? And is a 'high' FTP enough to win a race? Most of the time, it is not. In cycling races it is crucial to perform well during the critical moments that decide a race. The Power Speed Profile test provides insight into how well you perform during these key periods.