Power Output and Pacing During International Cross-Country Mountain Bike Cycling

Purpose:To characterize the physiological profiles of elite cross-country mountain bike (XCO-MTB) cyclists, and to examine their pacing and power output (PO) distribution during international races.Methods:Over two competitive seasons, eight elite male XCO-MTB cyclists (VO2max: 79.9 ± 5.2 ml.min-1.kg-1, MAP: 411 ± 18 W and 6.3 ± 0.4 W.kg-1) regularly undertook incremental tests to assess their PO and heart rate (HR) at first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2) and at VO2max. During the same period, their PO, HR, speed and cadence were recorded over 13 international races (total of 30 recorded files).Results:Mean PO, speed, cadence and HR during the races were 283 ± 22 W (4.31 ± 0.32 W.kg-1, 68 ± 5 % MAP), 19.7 ± 2.1 km.h-1, 68 ± 8 rpm and 172 ± 11 bpm (91 ± 2% HRmax), respectively. The average time spent below 10% of MAP, between 10% of MAP and VT1, VT1 and VT2, VT2 and MAP and above MAP was 25 ± 5%, 21 ± 4%, 13 ± 3%, 16 ± 3% and 26 ± 5%, respectively. Both speed and PO decreased from the star...