Pogačar completed a three-hour training session on the coast near Valencia. He recorded the 130-kilometre ride with a power meter and heart rate monitor. UAE Team Emirates - XRG normally keeps the world champion's performance data under wraps. This time, however, the Strava data remained public.
Power zones and threshold value
The Strava app analysed the ride and calculated the Slovenian's seven power zones. His FTP (Functional Threshold Power) - often described as one of the most important performance values in professional cycling - is therefore likely to be around 430 watts. Experts had previously estimated a similar value.
The FTP describes the power in watts that a person can pedal constantly on a bike for 60 minutes without tiring prematurely. With an estimated 430 watts, Pogacar's value is pretty much in the middle of the threshold zone - confirming earlier calculations based on his body weight of 66 kilograms. Anyone who has ever ridden an FTP test knows that 430 watts is a lot - especially with a body weight of 66 kilograms and therefore 6.5 watts per kilo!
Dominate at will
Tadej Pogačar's training data published by Strava provides a conclusive explanation for his dominance in recent years. Last season, he even outsprinted his rivals at times in the Dauphiné Tour, the most important preparatory tour for the Tour de France. Thanks to his exceptionally high performance values, the cycling star did not even have to call up the additional power that is possible in the cradle. This superiority was confirmed once again at the Tour de France: even his greatest rival Jonas Vingegaard was unable to put Pogačar under any serious pressure. Following the publication of the latest data, the impression is therefore growing that hardly any other rider could pose a threat to him this season. But cycling remains unpredictable - and it is precisely this uncertainty that makes surprises possible at any time.
Conclusion
The publicly available Strava data provides a rare, concrete look at Tadej Pogačar's performance - and underlines why he has been setting standards in the peloton for years. An FTP of around 430 watts at just 66 kilograms impressively demonstrates the level at which the world champion operates. At the same time, numbers explain dominance, but do not guarantee victories - because form, tactics, team strength and the course of the race continue to make professional cycling unpredictable.
Leon Weidner
Working student
