The elite and the sub-elite cyclists are assessed physiologically taking the same into consideration. But, almost no attention is being paid to the anaerobic capability of a cyclist.
Anaerobic function is extremely important for a competitive road cyclist. It is very important to know that explosive and sustained anaerobic energy production is essential for a cyclist when he attempts to break away from the pack, climb hills, or compete in sprints throughout the race.
In fact, it is the maximum rate of energy production by an individual cyclist that is taken into account in competitive racing. But, this is applicable only when there is little or no assistance from the team-mates in avoiding wind resistance through stream-lining.
However, riding in a pack reduces the energy cost by as much as 39 per cent at a given speed as compared to riding alone. Thus, it becomes clear that most of the successful cyclists are those who have great anaerobic power and sprinting abilities and not those who are merely considered to be the best owing to their greatest aerobic capacity.
Aerobic capacity, no doubt, still remains to be extremely important but it can not reduce the importance of the role that the anaerobic capabilities play in a closing race.
After all, it is the anaerobic capability that will decide the finishing order ultimately.
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Crazy Sports Fan - Do Not Ignore The Anaerobic Capability
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