It is easy to spot intensity in the pros’ training. But what about their base? How intense do they ride it? I’m quite interested in this question.
An interesting comparision can be made with input from this paper:
San-Millan is a consultant for UAE team. I do not know if the pros in this study were from this team. However, still worthwile looking at T Pogocar. In comparision to all the other pros I “follow” he does more “base riding”. Which is pretty much in line with what San-Millan is preaching.
Let’s compare this week (typical for his training) with the fatox curve from the study:
With the exception of some shorter excursions into tempo or slightly above threshold, most of his riding is Zone 2. And this at the outer edge, not at fatoxmax.
Of course, we can’t be certain if this comparision of an individual with a population mean holds up, but it is still interesting to note. And it is in line with most/all of the other pros I follow. Their base riding appears to be at the outer edge of this curve above, not at fatoxmax. The only exception are clear recovery days.