Reaction from the last post WM2024 in Zurich - the wattage of Tadej Pogačar

This question immediately interested everyone in our blog post from September 27, 2024. Were these values ​​from a race or training session?

Both the scooter rider and Pogačar have the lightness.

Yes, these were Pogačar's training stats. Unimaginable!!!

As a long-time coach from J+S up to the Olympic proposal diploma, Pogačar's values ​​have impressed me and always interested me.

I knew that he trained differently, or let's say that he followed the approaches of the old Italian and German cycling schools. Long rides (DEU), extensive aerobics combined with shorter (ITA) intensive aerobics. This combines all of these in Zone 2.

Pogačar has been training exclusively in Zone 2 since he was 12. Today, he completes training sessions lasting 4, 5, or even 6 hours. His Zone 2 power is currently between 320 and 340 watts. His training volume in Zone 2 is 80%.

We coaches from the Swiss Federation are fixated on the VM2MAX, like most coaches around the world. We believe this is where success lies.
We assume (assumed) that this would increase our FTP and help us survive the high, short intensity phases of the race better.

Philosophy of Pogačar's training strategy

Thanks to the wide and high Z2 volume, he pushes the other zone upwards with short, intense workouts. He also stays in Zone 3 for longer, where he doesn't over-acidify his legs (anaerobic threshold).

Race Strade Bianche and same as WM2024 :

He was able to reach a potential wattage of up to 480-520 watts in the last hour of the race without over-acidifying his legs.

How did he achieve this?

14 years of work in Zone 2.
Proverb 10,000 hours to become a master.
10,000/2.5 hours average / 14 (14 years) = 285 training sessions per year. (It could also be 250 per year).

He has worked himself up over the years until today he trains 6 hours on average at 320-340 watts

That's called progression.

Thanks to the high Z2 training volume, he recovers quite quickly, both in training and in races, as he rides less in the red zone. His Z2 zone is so high that for him, up to 90% of the race is simply his usual training zone.

Resumes:
❶ It takes years to achieve this.

❷ When athletes say this is so boring, it is because they do not understand cycling.

❸ This is not achieved in group rides, but through hard work alone – or behind a motorcycle.

❹ Without headphones and music, but with full concentration on work.