Hi,
how should I categorize races like Ötztaler Marathon (5500m uphill, 227 length)
How would the plan change if I state “Climbing Race” or “Grand Fondo”
Thanks !!!
1 Like
Same question from me, I’m doing the slightly less prestigious Kitzbüheler Radmarathon 
In one of the recent podcasts I recall a comment that Gran Fondo is ideal for flat grinding gravel races with steeper ramps (I’m doing the Wörthersee Gravel), so from that perspective I suppose climbing race would be better for Ötzi. I also use Rouvy so I can simulate the actual climbs, might be interesting for you as well.
IT’s probably mostly going to depend on your goals. Are you approaching it as a race, where you are going to follow attacks etc? Then Climbing Race will be better.
Are you approaching it more as self-paced event with mostly tempo climbing, the Gran Fondo plan (or maybe even an ultra-plan) will be better.
Climbing Race has more focus on VO2max and repeated efforts, Gran Fondo more on steady efforts.
Hey @dikt 
I’ll leave the descriptions of each so you can decide which one to pick.
Gran Fondo: For athletes who are targeting long gravel races, gran fondos, or spirited multi-hour group rides, the Gran Fondo plans are the ideal choice. These specialty blocks primarily focus on muscular endurance, equipping you to pedal powerfully for hours on end over widely-varied terrain. But they also include some higher-intensity VO2 max efforts, so you’ll have the fitness you need to stay at the front when the pace rises.
Climbing Road Race: Races and rides with big climbs require many of the same skills as other terrain—endurance, a strong sprint, and the ability to attack above threshold. But long ascents place a unique focus on sustained power, and the Climbing Road Race plans are specially designed to develop this ability.
These plans include plenty of above-threshold work that benefits every roadie, but add an additional emphasis on the sustained near-threshold power that you’ll need to drop the pack on long climbs, especially after hours of challenging racing. If your goal events include long uphill efforts, this is the plan for you.
So, long rides like Oeztaler, Marmotte, Maratona dles Dolomites, that all have approximately 5000 mt/d+ and are 7-12 hours long, without “competition” in mind, are better suited for Gran Fondo or Climbing ? I thougth Gran Fondo to privilege endurance, but maybe the long climbs requires specialty of Climbing Road Race.
Here is a reply from TrainerRoad, when I asked for my 2 events last year:
“For both of your events, I’d actually recommend changing them to Gran Fondo instead of using Rolling Road Race for Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Here’s why:
-
Both events are long endurance challenges, lasting around 9+ hours, where sustained power output and fatigue resistance are key.
-
While Liège has shorter, steeper climbs, you’ll still need aerobic durability to manage repeated efforts over such a long duration.
-
The Gran Fondo specialty is specifically designed for long, steady efforts with sustained climbing, closely matching the demands of both races.
-
The Rolling Road Race plan is more suited for shorter, punchier races where high-power surges and attacks are the priority.
-
TrainerRoad’s Gran Fondo Training Plan is designed to address the muscular endurance and versatile fitness demands of these events. These events reward riders who can maintain steady power for hours at a time, as well as occasionally drive above threshold at a higher pace.
For a deeper dive into why Gran Fondo training is best for events like these, check out TrainerRoad’s Gran Fondo Training Guide: TrainerRoad Gran Fondo (click here)”
Thank You very much for all your answers and hints.
I am still not absolutely sure, what to chose.
I guess long day-events in the alps are different from other events in other regions. If I would race 8+ hours anywhere else in Europe. I would definitely use Grand Fodo. Same applies to multi day events whether they are in the Alps or anywhere else. But 5000+ meters ascend in less than a day? I tend to “climbing road race”.
But in the end: with my 3.9 W/kg I reckon that I am not remotely good enough to really make a difference by changing between grand Fondo and climbing race. I guess both will give quite similar results 
It’s about the power demands of the events. Not the name of the plan.
You need the Gran Fondo plan. If you do the event right you will hardly do any high intensity work. Gran Fondo plan suits that.
3 Likes
Definitely Gran Fondo
The KOM up Timmelsjoch is an hour. If you are competing at the pointy end up that hill, then you don’t need to ask for training advice on this forum 
I did the event too many years ago. Fantastic stuff. Bevare of the different micro climates. At the start of Timmelsjoch I was boiling in 25 degC, but on the way down (and there is a lot of down ) it rained and was 3 degC.
BTW, met this guy on the way up.
2 Likes