TrainingPeaks CoachCast Season 7 Ep 3 — Inside WorldTour Cycling Camps: The Training, Testing and Nutrition
Mar 26, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Stephen Barrett, head coach of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, shares insights on Functional Reserve Capacity (FRC) and the importance of durability in training. Liam Holohan, performance coach at Israel Premier Tech, reveals innovative concepts like heat training and hypoxic sleeping rooms. Mattia Michelusi from Team Cofidis highlights the distinctions between strength training for sprinters and climbers, along with the role of nutritionists in optimizing athlete performance. This conversation is a treasure trove for anyone interested in elite cycling training methods!
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Episode notes
Functional Reserve Capacity Explained
- Functional Reserve Capacity (FRC) acts like a rider's anaerobic battery, depleting when pushing above threshold and replenishing below threshold.
- This metric helps analyze effort pacing and training impact, showing riders how far they can push their limits.
Use Blind Efforts for Surprise Gains
- Use blind efforts without power data occasionally to reveal hidden capacity to riders.
- This approach encourages riders to exceed self-imposed limits by surprising them with their own potential.
Durability Is Key Predictor
- Durability or fatigue resistance measures power output after expending thousands of kilojoules.
- Modern WorldTour races demand riders produce peak power even after 4,000 to 6,000 kJ, changing training focus to build this endurance.