Looks like Team 5280 Magazine rider Laurel Rathbun broke her recently set record by almost 30 seconds this week at Cherry Creek! Her time went from 30:03.2 to 29:37.2 on the 10-mile rolling out and back course!! Laurel’s stepping up her game for the summer races!

Review of Dan Martin’s Trophée de Grimpeur power performance

Last Sunday, Dan Martin raced the Trophée des Grimpeurs, a one-day race over 17 laps for a total distance of 137.3 km. In the figure below you see on the x-axis the time and on the y-axis in yellow the power output (watt), in green the cadence (rpm) and in blue the speed (k/hr). To make each lap more visible, the background alternates between grey and black. This original data is from the PowerTap trainings system mounted on his bike.

The second graph below compares the average power per lap for 1) the climb (Côte de l’Ermitage, 6.2-13% grade) to the finish (blue dots), and the entire lap (pink dots). On the climb in lap 12, the lead group of 8 riders was chased down by a group of 6 which included Dan. To be able to stay there, Dan’s power output went up to 746 watts for the climb. During the next lap, Dan managed to again deliver an impressive 749 watts during the climb which put him in the lead group of 9 riders including Pineau, Voeckler, Fedrigo, Chavanel and David Le Lay.

During this phase in the race, the average power went up from 240 to eventually 305 watts in lap 16, and 301 watts in the next and last laps. On climb 16, eventual race winner David Le Lay managed to drop Dan by only a gap of 10 meters at the top of the climb. In lap 17, Dan chased Le Lay, but the gap slowly got bigger. Just before the finish, Dan was caught by the peloton.

The special note here is that Le Lay managed to drop Dan on the 16th climb where Dan delivered a power output of 600 watts. Though in the four laps before, Dan was able to deliver over 660 watts. So as a result of his increased workload during the previous laps, Dan was more tired, less explosive and just not able to follow.

What do you think about this? Does Dan need better aerobic power so he is less fatigued at the foot of the climb? Or do you think he needs to train more on his anaerobic power? What is your answer? Dan and I know what to do, but please let us know what you think by leaving a comment.

P.S. For your information, Dan’s 749 watts equals 12.1 watts/kg bodyweight and 10.9 watts/kg bodyweight plus bike (Felt and Zipp 202 wheels).

Day 2 up here was more of a nice long group ride, punctuated by 20 km of attacking at the start and 20 km of video game-esque hauling a– to the finish. The last 20 km in particular was one of those bits of racing where there was just the right setup for a massive stack (fresh-legged field, fast roads with “road furniture” everywhere, and just a touch of wind). Yet, somehow it was avoided.

I’m always amazed at how we manage to do some of the things on bikes we do and today was one of those days. Pretty darn fun, as long as the rubber stays touching the road.

Tomorrow looks to be more of the same - a completely atypical Dunkerque. But no complaints to be heard here.

Slipstream stage 2 results
1. Gert Steegmans 4:46′50″

21. Michael Friedman
25. Martijn Maaskant
35. Christophe Laurent
51. Will Frischkorn
57. Steven Cozza
101. Jason Donald
103. Tom Danielson
116. Blake Caldwell

Slipstream GC
1. Stéphane Augé 9:11′11″

21. Martijn Maaskant +2′54″
36. Michael Friedman +2′54″
47. Christophe Laurent +2′54″
54. Will Frischkorn +2′54″
91. Jason Donald +2′54″
98. Steven Cozza +2′54″
111. Tom Danielson +2′54″
115. Blake Caldwell +2′54″

New Zealand City News features Julian Dean and his participation in the 2008 Giro d’Italia. Dean says that he joined Slipstream/Chipotle H3O to have more opportunities in the sprints.

I have received a number of notes from friends and family wondering why I wasn’t on the Giro roster. Back in November, the Giro was the focus of my early season. My schedule was even changed early February to better prepare for the epic adventure. I was excited, the team was excited. Moreover, everyone around me was more excited than both the team and I combined! But in the end, it wasn’t meant to be this year.

As I have been racing and training harder this year, some nagging pains have become problems on the bike. These pains reared their ugly heads more than ever as I attempted to do 500+ watts in my time trial position. After our first day of Giro team time trial camp, I decided to pull myself out of the rotation. That way the nine guys that were to do the Giro could work together and perfect their TTT skills.

I thought this would be harder to do that it was. After having a successful Tour de Georgia, I had been looking forward to my first Grand Tour. But somehow, it was just the right thing to do. I was the weak link and pulling myself out allowed the guys to have clear heads, ride hard, and better prepare for the challenge at hand.

Many of the guys offered their condolences. But really, I found solace in the fact that this was better for the team. It was a very tranquil feeling and I think it shows just how unique we have become. Everyone on this team is willing to make sacrifices for the good of the whole. Even if that means not partaking in the one race I have always dreamed about.

It’s really uncanny how comfortable I feel about all this, and I can’t wait to see the guys perform. It was amazing to watch those guys ride as fast and as fluidly as they did, albeit from a distance. It was as if they had been riding together for years. It’s hard to express the beauty of it all, but when you are as deeply passionate about something as I am about cycling, it is easy to find the allure in the humblest of events.

I went to see the team off this morning and everyone is looking great and in good spirits. I wish them the best of luck, knowing very well that all the preparations have been made and the only thing left is to have a little bit of good fortune on their side.

I am working hard on fixing my body issues and will be back racing in the Volta a Catalunya towards the end of the month. A great race all around, especially considering two of the nights we get to stay in our hometown of Girona. Nothing like doing a Pro Tour race in our home away from home! I’ll be sure to check back in a let everyone know how it’s going.

Ciao for now!

Rocky Mountain News features Boulder-based Slipstream/Chipotle H3O and the team’s Tour de France debut this July along with is commitment to a rigorous drug-testing program.

Said Jim Adams, Chipotle’s executive marketing director: “This is a team that’s very vigorous about their drug testing and keeping their bodies clean, and that’s very much our philosophy.”

The VMG/Felt U23 team continues to impress. Today, VMG/Felt rider Daniel Holloway brought home a silver medal in the points race at the 2008 Pan-American road and track cycling champions in Montevideo, Uruguay. Holloway gave the U.S. its third medal and first silver of the championships. Racing will continue through Sunday, May 11.

Location:
Girona, Spain

Overview:
A popular ride that includes some moderate climbing through some great scenery. Starting out in Girona and winding through county roads, the first hour is mostly flat as you make you way by the Girona airport and to Santa Coloma, where the climbing begins. This direction is known as the backside of Sant Hilari. Once outside Santa Coloma, the road narrows and the pavement is rougher, but the constant grade and lack of traffic, make it a great climb to get some intervals in. The kilometer marker signs count down to 0 at Sant Hilari, where its worth stopping at one of the many fountains to fill up on water. A short climb just above town adds a little to the loop and then its a long descent back down to Angles, through Bonmati and back to Girona.

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Distance: 73.60 miles.

Total Elevation Gain: 5,980 ft.

Description:
This ride starts out at the “stone bridge” in old town Girona near Pont de Pedra. Head south along the river to an intersection, where you can go right on a bridge over the river. Go straight through the roundabout, and about a k later turn left at a roundabout and then straight past the University. As the road starts the bend right, take the turn to the left. Continue to the stoplight at a T and turn left. The first small town outside of Girona is Fornells de la Selva. Take a little detour around town following the one way signs and stay on the same road until you reach the c-65 where you turn right and head toward the airport. Right before you reach the airport, turn left on a small road that heads to Santa Coloma. Follow this road through a couple towns, staying mostly straight through the roundabouts. Where the road comes to a T at a big road with a gas station on the right, turn left. This road goes straight into Santa Coloma. Ride all the way through town and when the road forks, follow the bend to the left. This is the small road that goes all the way to Sant Hilari.

Once you’ve reached the town center of Sant Hilari, turn left towards Font Vella. My favorite spot to stop for water is a fountain just to the left after the town center. Continue climbing on this road and take a right at the roundabout. At the top of the climb, turn around where it forks. Backtrack down to Sant Hilari, and on the main road through town, take a left towards Osor. This begins a 25k descent to Angles. At Angles the road will come to a T. Take a left and continue through the roundabout. Just after the roundabout take a right on a small road toward Bonmati. After a few k of rolling hills into the town of Bonmati the road T’s again. Take a left. Continue this way up a 4k climb, followed by a short descent and turn right at the bottom. This road will take you all the way back in to Girona with the kilometer signs counting down to 0. Once in town, follow the road straight until the last roundabout, where you turn right and go over a bridge. Turn right at the next roundabout, then a left at the next roundabout. A right at the next, and this will take you to where the stone bridge road ends. Take a left on Carrer Nou, down the cobbled street with shops lining the sides. It will say no left turn at the stoplight here because cars aren’t allowed. That’s it!

Google Earth:   View on Google Earth

MotionBased:   View on MotionBased

Download Ride Data:   GPS Device   GPX   HST   CRS