The Day-by-Day Periodization Strategies of a Giro d'Italia Podium Finisher.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the day-by-day training and racing characteristics in preparation for the Giro d'Italia of 1 world-class road cyclist who achieved a place on the podium in the final general classification of the Giro d'Italia. Day-by-day power meter training and racing data of 1 study subject (road cyclist; age 25y; relative maximum oxygen consumption 81mL·min-1·kg-1; relative 20-min record power output 6.6W·kg-1) covering the 152days leading up to the podium in the Giro d'Italia final general classification were retrospectively analyzed. Daily load, daily volume, and intensity distribution were considered. During training a pattern alternating "hard days" versus "easy days" was observed, as significant amounts of medium or high intensity, or load, were not performed for more than 2 consecutive days This pattern was achieved combining high volume (>4h) with a significant amount of medium and high intensity within the same training sessions. During training, when training load and intensity increased, the density of "easy days" augmented. In 1-week stage races and the Giro d'Italia, 3 to 8 consecutive days with significant amounts of medium and high intensity were performed. A high number of training sessions with small amounts of medium- and high-intensity volume was observed: 38days accumulating 3 to 10minutes at medium intensity and 29days spending 1 to 9minutes at high intensity. These data provide novel insights about the day-by-day periodization strategies leading to a top 3 in the Giro d'Italia general classification.