pro training speeds in season

KOGAN
KOGAN Posts: 1,048
edited June 2007 in Pro race
hi

just out of interest what sort of average speed would a typical pro average training say for 4 hours in season?

something tells me my 21mph average for 4 hours is not close!

cheers

KOGAN

check out my new site
www.freewebs.com/danielkogan
check out my new site
www.freewebs.com/danielkogan

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    All I remember reading was that Freddie Rodriguez's coach said his base training was just riding until he could do 4 hours at 25mph under level 3 heart rate and nothing else no intervals hills or sprints. It was somwhere in the fitness article on cycling news but i can't find it now.

    Jocksyboy
  • Slimtim
    Slimtim Posts: 1,042
    Hey, don't beat yourself up. If you're doing 21mph for four hours on your own then that's worth at least 25mph in a training group (this assumes that you are drafting approx 75% of the time).

    Do you want to be a pro?
  • PhilBixby
    PhilBixby Posts: 697
    The Fast Freddie quote is from Bike Racing 101, which FF's coach wrote. From memory he had him working up to 6-7hr rides at Level 2 and he was averaging 25mph (lucky s*d).

    It was interesting during the Giro following the riders whose HR was being beamed live to the Polar website. Wonder if they'll do the same during the Tour?

    Phil B
    Clifton CC York
  • KOGAN
    KOGAN Posts: 1,048
    haha i'd love to be a pro just dont think im good enough. 25 for 6 or 7 hours [:0]

    check out my new site
    www.freewebs.com/danielkogan
    check out my new site
    www.freewebs.com/danielkogan
  • K Blackwell
    K Blackwell Posts: 1,539
    Read an article with Max Sciandri a few years ago; their training group included a few top pro's and they said the average was 35 kph.
  • Radsman
    Radsman Posts: 122
    is that base training speed?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by KOGAN</i>

    haha i'd love to be a pro just dont think im good enough. 25 for 6 or 7 hours [:0]
    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">That's racing though, not training. Most, if not all, pro races have road closures and motorcycle outriders in front of the riders clearing the way. Most teams have riders whose job is solely to make the pace, i.e. when leading the race, closing down a break, preparing for a sprint etc. That's why they get high speeds.

    When training I'd imagine most pros just roll along in normal traffic, seeking out quieter roads, i.e. like you and me. In the racing season most of them are also recovering between races so just maintaining a base level of fitness not doing specific race workouts.

    I'd not get hung up on average speeds as they don't tell much. Most new pros when asked about the difference between the amateur ranks and the pro ranks say the racing isn't much faster it's just much more disciplined, i.e. not eyeballs out from the gun.
  • K Blackwell
    K Blackwell Posts: 1,539
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Radsman</i>

    is that base training speed?
    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">I think it was run of the mill stuff early season 4 to 5 hours. The writer said how pro's who had done a few grand tours seemed to have a slightly different and easier way of pedalling to us mortals. It would seem a reasonable speed, 23 mph, not too easy and not to hard. Some of them did some strength training on climbs using big gears.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0
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  • angrynortherner
    angrynortherner Posts: 530
    According to his website Armstrong's Endurance rides (circa 124-128bpm) were between 5-6 hours covering 100-130 miles in Texas. I guess this would mean that they were fairly rolling courses at between 20-22mph.
  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    25 mph in a group on flat roads maybe - I can't believe even pros routinely average 25mph on 100mile solo rides - when you account for traffic, junctions, stopping for a wee or whatever they'd be riding on the flat at 26mph plus - that seems a bit fast even for them.
    Warning about well known bike shop removed at request of moderators.
    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • brad68
    brad68 Posts: 883
    I read a piece on Robbie Mccewan, he said that on his 5 hr rides he would average about 20mph, thing is the pro's are out doing that everyday, when not racing.

    Bc
    Bc
  • K Blackwell
    K Blackwell Posts: 1,539
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by KingstonWheeler</i>

    It depends on the terrain too, Sciandri's training rides around Tuscany were probably very hilly.

    Not to contradict AndyP, as it's true that many pros just fit in a spin between races but other times in the season, on a long ride many will do 3-4 hours and then hook up with a coach or friend for an hour's motorpacing, to simulate a race. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
    On the training run with Sciandri there were quite a few hills. Also, remember speaking to Barry Hoban once. He told me of the training done by Roger de Vlaeminck. 200k rides after which everyone was stuffed. Then RdV would meet up with a derny and do another 50 or 60k's at a murderous pace. No wonder he was such a brilliant rider.

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