Before Paris-Roubaix: App causes debate
DPA
· 05.04.2023
Only brute force counts at the climax of the cobblestone classics. On the 257 kilometres of Paris-Roubaix on Easter Sunday, the professional cyclists do not have to conquer any steep climbs, but instead ride over 29 brute sectors.
Dealing with watt values on Strava causes discussions
In addition to luck and tactics, what counts most is strength - translated into cycling parlance: Watt. The handling of these values leads to discussions from time to time, including this year of course. It's always about transparency and traceability, nobody should be allowed to hide anything - but of course everyone wants it.
Most recently, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was one of the favourites to win the "Hell of the North" at the centre of the debate. The Dutchman had published his data for a year on the Strava platform, which is accessible to everyone. Something like the Facebook for endurance athletes, if you like. "I kept getting told right and left that nothing was known about my training," says the 28-year-old. To counteract possible suspicions, van der Poel made his values public. Since this year, that has come to an end.
Van Aert & Pogacar share rides on Strava
The move is understandable, after all, the competition shouldn't know what their own form is like. Van der Poel's biggest rival Wout van Aert still shares his rides on Strava, but leaves out data such as heart rate and power in watts. "Then it doesn't really help, because you can't draw any conclusions from it," says van der Poel. Tour of Flanders winner Tadej Pogacar takes the same approach: training yes, key data no.
Former Roubaix winner John Degenkolb (Team DSM) takes a much more relaxed view of the issue. "I don't think the wattage figures are that important," the 34-year-old tells dpa. "Watts don't win races." The veteran sees Strava above all "as a great tool to let people know what effort you're putting in." Anyone who registers on the platform can follow Degenkolb and gain an insight into his performance. For example, you can see that the Thuringian-born cyclist covered over 30,000 kilometres on his bike last year. This year, the figure is already well over 8,000.
Dan Lorang about data on Strava
On the one hand, Strava gives more credibility to endurance sports such as cycling, cross-country skiing, triathlons and marathons. "Of course, the availability of data contributes to transparency. You can certainly estimate where the world's best are and that can also serve as a reference," explains Dan Lorang, Head of Performance at the German team Bora-Hansgrohethe dpa.
On the other hand, the platform creates a closer connection between professional and amateur athletes. You can ride the Paterberg in Flanders or Alpe d'Huez in the Alps, upload your data and compare the figures with those of the pros. In these best times for certain sections of the route - the so-called KOMs - you will often even find the names of ordinary people ahead of stars such as Pogacar or van der Poel. While the pros usually set their best times in passing during a race, amateur riders only concentrate on the respective sections.
Bora-Hansgrohe is looking for young riders via Strava
Team Bora-Hansgrohe even goes so far as to find talented young riders with the help of Strava. In the team's Juniors programme, ambitious teenagers can provide their Strava data and have it analysed by the team. The application phase runs until the end of May. If you then confirm your performance in extensive tests, you will receive an U19 contract with the Bora development team Auto Eder.
Nils PolittBoras captain at Paris-Roubaix and already second there in 2019, uses Strava to plan his training routes. He deliberately does not publish his power data. However, the hunt for best times on certain sections of the route motivates him. "But it's fun to challenge yourself for a KOM from time to time," says Politt. "I also follow a few friends, but not to see what they're training for. It's more to see where they're riding."
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