6’4" 88kg, FTP currently 315ish (3.6W/kg). Got to 345W FTP (3.9W/kg) last season, but still got dropped going up any steep or sustained hill.
I’m of the opinion that heavier riders are at a disadvantage as it is easier for a lighter rider to sit in a bunch on the flat at 45kph, than it is for a heavier rider to have to put out 400W+ for 8+mins up any half-decent climb, or repeatedly hitting 1000W+ up the short sharp rises.
Even for a lighter rider to break-away on the flat, they are typically smaller and therefore it is easier for them to have a lower CdA. At the high speeds required to successfully break away, this reduces the advantage of the heavier riders’ higher W/kg. Yet, as soon as it gets to the hills, W/kg becomes the primary concern again and the lighter riders can ride away.
From my local racing experience, 300-320W FTP seems to be attainable by any reasonably-trained cyclist (almost irrespective of height) - leading to FTP’s of 4.5W/kg for a 70kg rider, but ‘only’ 3.8W/kg for an 85kg rider. Even 60kg climbers I know can push around 280W FTP (4.7W/kg).
However, from what i’ve seen, only a select few of the top local guys can push 360-380W+ FTP to hit the same 4.5W/kg. Yes, those guys are typically around the 80-85kg mark and can destroy people in a flat crit, but that and flat TT’s are about the only place they really expect to be able to get a result.
Is there a physical limit to the power output that is possible from the human body? I’d guess that there is, and it may be a hint as to why most worldtour riders are <75kg…
Not to say you can’t have fun in most races, just don’t expect to win any hill climbs!