A comparison of cycling performance between cyclists and triathletes

• Published in: Journal of science and medicine in sport 2002-12, Vol.5 (4), p.40-40
• Main Authors: Laursen, P B, Shing, C M, Tennant, S C, Prentice, C M, Jenkins, D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1440-2440; 1878-1861
• DOI: 10.1016/S1440-2440(02)80115-3

The purpose of this study was to compare the cycling performance of cyclists versus triathletes. Each week for three weeks, and on different days, 25 highly trained male cyclists and 18 highly trained male triathletes performed: 1) a progressive exercise test on a cycle ergometer for the determination of peak oxygen consumption (VO sub(2peak)), peak power output (PPO), as well as the first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT sub(1) and VT sub(2)), followed, 15 minutes later by a sprint to fatigue at 150% of PPO (TF sub(150)), 2) a cycle to exhaustion test at VO sub(2peak) power output (T sub(max)), and 3) a 40-km cycle time-trial (TT sub(40)). There were no differences found between the groups in VO sub(2peak), PPO, T sub(max), and TF sub(150). However, cyclists had a significantly faster time to complete TT sub(40) (56:18 plus or minus 2:31; min:s) compared with the triathletes (58:57 plus or minus 3:06 min:s; P