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This study investigated the correlation between cycling economy (CE) and gross efficiency (GE) in Olympic cross-country mountain biking (XCO-MTB) race performance. Also was examined the correlation between CE, GE, and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Sixteen male XCO-MTB athletes (30.9 ± 5.2 years, 68.7 ± 5.6 kg, 175.0 ± 5.7 cm, and VO2peak: 65.4 ± 4.9 mL·kg-1 min-1) completed two experimental sessions. On the first, anthropometric assessments and a maximal incremental test were performed. The maximal incremental test was performed in the cycle ergometer to determine VO2peak, CE, and GE. A week later, an XCO-MTB race was performed in the second visit, where the official race time was used as a performance indicator. An inverse, significant moderate correlation was found between race time (8318.3 ± 459.0 s) and both CE (r = -0.53; CI95% = -0.84 to -0.10; p = 0.0008), and GE (r = -0.67; CI95% = -0.89 to -0.22; p = 0.0001). However, the moderate correlation between CE and race time showed low power. No significant correlation was found between VO2peak and either CE (r = -0.45; CI95% = -0.77-0.06; p = 0.08) or GE (r = -0.47; CI95% = -0.78-0.04; p = 0.07). In conclusion, gross efficiency is an important component of XCO-MTB race performance. The VO2peak was not related to CE and GE. The evaluation of GE may be a useful addition to the battery of physiological tests in mountain bikers.

The aim was to compare the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), duration and session-RPE (S-RPE) prescribed by the coaches to those perceived by the cyclists in training sessions. The classification...

The aim of this study is to analyse the influence of performance level, age and gender on pacing during a 100-km ultramarathon. Results of a 100-km race incorporating the World Masters Championships were used to identify differences in relative speeds in each 10-km segment between participants finishing in the first, second, third and fourth quartiles of overall positions (Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively). Similar analyses were performed between the top and bottom 50% of finishers in each age category, as well as within male and female categories. Pacing varied between athletes achieving different absolute performance levels. Group 1 ran at significantly lower relative speeds than all other groups in the first three 10-km segments (all P < 0.01), and significantly higher relative speeds than Group 4 in the 6th and 10th (both P < 0.01), and Group 2 in the 8th (P = 0.04). Group 4 displayed significantly higher relative speeds than Group 2 and 3 in the first three segments (all P < 0.01). Overall strategies remained consistent across age categories, although a similar phenomenon was observed within each category whereby ‘top’ competitors displayed lower relative speeds than ‘bottom’ competitors in the early stages, but higher relative speeds in the later stages. Females showed lower relative starting speeds and higher finishing speeds than males. ‘Top’ and ‘bottom’ finishing males displayed differing strategies, but this was not the case within females. Although pacing remained consistent across age categories, it differed with level of performance within each, possibly suggesting strategies are anchored on direct competitors. Strategy differs between genders and differs depending on performance level achieved in males but not females.