Performance Analysis of a World-Class Sprinter During Cycling Grand Tours

Abstract

This investigation describes the sprint performances of the highest internationally ranked professional male road sprint cyclist during the 2008–2011 Grand Tours. Sprint stages were classified as won, lost, or dropped from the front bunch before the sprint. Thirty-one stages were video-analyzed for average speed of the last km, sprint duration, position in the bunch, and number of teammates at 60, 30, and 15 s remaining. Race distance, total elevation gain (TEG), and average speed of 45 stages were determined. Head-to-head performances against the 2nd–5th most successful professional sprint cyclists were also reviewed. In the 52 Grand Tour sprint stages the subject started, he won 30 (58%), lost 15 (29%), was dropped in 6 (12%), and had 1 crash. Position in the bunch was closer to the front and the number of team members was significantly higher in won than in lost at 60, 30, and 15 s remaining (P < .05). The sprint duration was not different between won and lost (11.3 ± 1.7 and 10.4 ± 3.2 s). TEG was significantly higher in dropped (1089 ± 465 m) than in won and lost (574 ± 394 and 601 ± 423 m, P < .05). The ability to finish the race with the front bunch was lower (77%) than that of other successful sprinters (89%). However, the subject was highly successful, winning over 60% of contested stages, while his competitors won less than 15%. This investigation explores methodology that can be used to describe important aspects of road sprint cycling and supports the concept that tactical aspects of sprinting can relate to performance outcomes.

Pacing Behavior and Tactical Positioning in 1500-m Short-Track Speed Skating

“…winning) compared to middledistance runners. 28 Another interesting finding was the difference in pacing strategy between final and non-final stages of the competition. During the finals, athletes performed a relatively slower start, but faster finish, compared to the non-finals.…”

Maximal Sprint Power in Road Cyclists After Variable and Nonvariable High-Intensity Exercise

“…For instance, it has been previously shown in a world-class road sprinter that the position in the bunch was closer to the front and the number of team members supporting the sprinter was higher in races won than lost (14). Team support may assist sprint performance by allowing a smoother and more even distribution of power output in the lead-up phase of the race.…”

“…The VAR and N-VAR lead-up phases were matched for total work (i.e., mean power output). The 12-second sprint was designed to replicate the sprint duration observed in professional road cycling sprints (11,14).…”

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“…As it comes to cycling, there are multiple real-time factors that interact with the performance. Weather conditions (Hayes, Castle, Ross, & Maxwell, 2014), road surface ( Martin, Milliken, Cobb, McFadden, & Coggan, 1998) and altimetry (Menaspà. Abbiss, & Martin, 2012 are a few examples of variables that can limit performance and endanger the reliability of the parameters recorded.…”