The Weekly Periodization of Top 5 Tour de France General Classification Finishers: A Multiple Case Study

in International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

Click name to view affiliation

Gabriele Gallo Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Centro Polifunzionale di Scienze Motorie, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

Search for other papers by Gabriele Gallo in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5481-7003 *
,
Manuel Mateo-March Sport Science Department, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Madrid, Spain
Faculty of Sport Sciences, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Search for other papers by Manuel Mateo-March in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Daniel Gotti Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

Search for other papers by Daniel Gotti in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Ed Maunder Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

Search for other papers by Ed Maunder in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2329-959X
,
Roberto Codella Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
Department of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy

Search for other papers by Roberto Codella in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1608-1899
,
Piero Ruggeri Centro Polifunzionale di Scienze Motorie, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

Search for other papers by Piero Ruggeri in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5939-1489
,
Emanuela Faelli Centro Polifunzionale di Scienze Motorie, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

Search for other papers by Emanuela Faelli in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Luca Filipas Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
Department of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy

Search for other papers by Luca Filipas in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3828-9626
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2023-0142
Keywords:
road cycling; elite cyclists; endurance training: grand tour
First Published Online:
14 Sep 2023
In Print:
Ahead of Print
Page Range:
1–8
Restricted access

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe individual training characteristics, racing strategies, and periodization in preparation for the Tour de France in 2 world-class road cyclists finishing in the top 5 of the general classification. Methods: Week‐by‐week power meter training and racing data of 2 (A and B) road cyclists (age: 29 and 23 y; maximum oxygen consumption: 83 and 81 mL·min−1·kg−1; and relative 20‐min record power output: 6.9 and 6.5 W·kg−1) in the preparation phase (December–July/August) leading up to the Tour de France were retrospectively analyzed. Weekly volume and intensity distribution in power zones were considered. Results: Cyclists A and B completed 46 and 19 races, 22.5 (6.3) and 18.2 (5.1) h·wk−1, with a pyramidal intensity distribution of 81.0%–13.3%–5.7%, and 88.8%–7.9%–3.3% in zone 1–zone 2–zone 3. Cyclist B spent 14 days at altitude. Increased high-intensity volume and polarization index occurred during race weeks. During periods without racing, training intensity progressively increased. Strength training was performed during November and December but not during the following months. During tapering, total exercise volume and time at high intensity decreased. Conclusion: These data provide novel insights into the periodization of world-class road cyclists in advance of a top 5 placing in the Tour de France general classification.

  • Collapse
  • Expand

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

Cover International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
  • 1.

    Gallo G, Leo P, March MM, et al. Differences in training characteristics between junior, under 23 and professional cyclists. Int J Sports Med. 2022;43(14):1183–1189. PubMed ID: 35533684 doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 2.

    Svendsen IS, Tønnesen E, Tjelta LI, Ørn S. Training, performance, and physiological predictors of a successful elite senior career in junior competitive road cyclists. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2018:13(10):1287–1292. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 3.

    Gallo G, Bosio A, Martin M, et al. Relationships between training dose and record power outputs in professional road cyclists: insights and threats to validity. Biol Sport. 2023;40(2):485–495. PubMed ID: 37077803 doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 4.

    Van Erp T, Sanders D, De Koning JJ. Training characteristics of male and female professional road cyclists: a 4-year retrospective analysis. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2020;15(4):534–540. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 5.

    Gallo G, Mateo-March M, Gotti D, et al. How do world class top 5 Giro d’Italia finishers train? A qualitative multiple case study. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2022;32(12):1738–1746. PubMed ID: 35686390 doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 6.

    Maier T, Schmid L, Müller B, Steiner T, Wehrlin JP. Accuracy of cycling power meters against a mathematical model of treadmill cycling. Int J Sports Med. 2017;38(6):456–461. PubMed ID: 28482367 doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 7.

    Allen H, Coggan A. Training and Racing Using a Power Meter. 3rd ed. Velopress; 2019.

  • 8.

    Valenzuela PL, Morales JS, Foster C, Lucia A, De La Villa P. Is the functional threshold power a valid surrogate of the lactate threshold? Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2018;13(10):1293–1298. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 9.

    Lucia A, Hoyos J, Pérez M, Santalla A, Earnest CP, Chicharro JL. Which laboratory variable is related with time trial performance time in the Tour de France? Br J Sports Med. 2004;38(5):636–640. PubMed ID: 15388555 doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 10.

    Mujika I, Padilla S. Physiological and performance characteristics of male professional road cyclists. Sports Med. 2001;31(7):479–487. PubMed ID: 11428685 doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 11.

    Treff G, Winkert K, Sareban M, Steinacker JM, Sperlich B. The polarization-index: a simple calculation to distinguish polarized from non-polarized training intensity distributions. Front Physiol. 2019;10:707. doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 12.

    Emig T, Peltonen J. Human running performance from real-world big data. Nat Commun. 2020;11(1):1–9. doi:

  • 13.

    Burnley M, Bearden SE, Jones AM. Polarized training is not optimal for endurance athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2022;54(6):1032–1034. PubMed ID: 35135998 doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 14.

    Hawley JA. Specificity of training adaptation: time for a rethink? J Physiol. 2008;586(1):1. doi:

  • 15.

    Hettinga FJ, Konings MJ, Pepping GJ. The science of racing against opponents: affordance competition and the regulation of exercise intensity in head-to-head competition. Front Physiol. 2017;8:118. doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 16.

    Billat VL, Flechet B, Petit B, Muriaux G, Koralsztein JP. Interval training at VO2max: effects on aerobic performance and overtraining markers./L’entrainement par intervalles a VO2max: effets sur la performance aerobie et les marqueurs du surentrainement. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;31(1):156–163. PubMed ID: 9927024 doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 17.

    Gallo G, Mateo-March M, Leo P, et al. Power road-derived physical performance parameters in junior, under-23, and professional road cycling climbers. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2022;17(7):1094–1102. PubMed ID: 35483700 doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 18.

    Van Erp T, Sanders D, Lamberts RP. Maintaining power output with accumulating levels of work done is a key determinant for success in professional cycling. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2021;53(9):1903–1910. PubMed ID: 33731651 doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 19.

    Rønnestad BR, Ellefsen S, Nygaard H, et al. Effects of 12 weeks of block periodization on performance and performance indices in well-trained cyclists. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2014;24(2):327–335. PubMed ID: 23134196 doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 20.

    Rønnestad BR, Hansen J, Ellefsen S. Block periodization of high-intensity aerobic intervals provides superior training effects in trained cyclists. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2014;24(1):34–42. PubMed ID: 22646668 doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 21.

    Rønnestad BR, Hansen J. A scientific approach to improve physiological capacity of an elite cyclist. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2018;13(3):390–393. doi:

  • 22.

    Almquist NW, Eriksen HB, Wilhelmsen M, et al. No differences between 12 weeks of block- vs. traditional-periodized training in performance adaptations in trained cyclists. Front Physiol. 2022;13:236. doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 23.

    Solli GS, Tønnessen E, Sandbakk Ø. Block vs. traditional periodization of HIT: two different paths to success for the world’s best cross-country skier. Front Physiol. 2019;10:375. doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 24.

    Filipas L, Bonato M, Gallo G, Codella R. Effects of 16 weeks of pyramidal and polarized training intensity distributions in well-trained endurance runners. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2022;32(3):498–511. PubMed ID: 34792817 doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 25.

    Nybo L, Rønnestad B, Lundby C. High or hot—perspectives on altitude camps and heat-acclimation training as preparation for prolonged stage races. Scand J Med Sci Sports. Published online November 9, 2022. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 26.

    Mateo-March M, Muriel X, Valenzuela PL, et al. Altitude and endurance performance in altitude natives versus lowlanders: insights from professional cycling. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2022;54(7):1218–1224. PubMed ID: 35142712 doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 27.

    Rønnestad BR, Mujika I. Optimizing strength training for running and cycling endurance performance: a review. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2014;24(4):603–612. PubMed ID: 23914932 doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 28.

    Rønnestad BR, Hansen J, Hollan I, Spencer M, Ellefsen S. Impairment of performance variables after in-season strength-training cessation in elite cyclists. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2016;11(6):727–735. PubMed ID: 26641569 doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 29.

    Bosquet L, Montpetit J, Arvisais D, Mujika I. Effects of tapering on performance: a meta-analysis. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;39(8):1358–1365. PubMed ID: 17762369 doi:

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 1956 1956 1956
Full Text Views 50 50 50
PDF Downloads 82 82 82