Racing cyclist power requirements in the 4000-m individual and team pursuits

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is: 1) to present field test data descri bing the power requirements of internationally competitive individual and t eam pursuiters, and 2) to develop a theoretical model for pursuit power bas ed upon on these tests. Methods: In preparing U.S. cycling's pursuit team f or the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, U.S. team scientists measured cycling power o f seven subjects on the Atlanta track using a crank dynamometer (SRM) at sp eeds from 57 to 60 kph. By using these field data and other tests, mathemat ical models were devised which predict both individual and team pursuit per formance. The field data indicate the power within a pace line at 60 kph av erages 607 W in lead position (100%), 430 W in second position (70.8%), 389 W in third position (64.1%), and 389 W in fourth position (64.0%). a team member requires about 75% of the energy necessary for cyclists riding alone at the same speed. These results compare well with field measurements from a British pursuit team; to recent wind tunnel tests, and to earlier bicycl e coast down tests. Results: The theoretical models predict performance wit h reasonable accuracy when the average power potential of an individual or learn is known, or they may be used to estimate the power of pursuit compet itors knowing race times. The model estimates that Christopher Boardman ave raged about 520 W when setting his 1996, 4000-m individual pursuit record o f 4 min 11.114 s and the Italian 4000-m pursuit team averaged about 480 W i n setting their record of 4:00.958. Both used the "Superman" cycling positi on. Conclusions: These records would be very difficult to break using less aerodynamic riding positions, due to the extraordinarily high power require ments.