Strava analysis: How big is the difference between professional and amateur?

How big is the difference in performance between amateur and professional cyclists really? While riders like Tadej Pogačar and Wout van Aert seem to fly effortlessly over the French Alps, a recent Strava analysis provides a revealing perspective on this question. The fitness tracking service has analysed millions of athletes' data on the platform and compared the times of ambitious amateurs directly with those of professionals on some of the most famous and decisive Tour segments. The result shows both impressive differences and surprising convergences between the performance levels.

>> Tour de France 2025: Deep-dive bikes, technology, background information

>> Pro equipment: Racing bikes & equipment of the 2025 Tour de France teams

>> Strava update: Recording function revised

>> Tour de France performance check: How many watts do the pros pedal?

Clear superiority on long climbs

The difference in performance between amateurs and professionals is most evident on the legendary climbs of the Tour de France. On the Mont Ventouxone of the most iconic mountains of the tour, the two groups are worlds apart. While an ambitious amateur reaches the summit after more than two hours of hard work, a professional has often completed the 20.74 kilometre segment with 1,569 metres of altitude difference 40 minutes earlier. The average time difference of 40 minutes and 15 seconds illustrates the impressive level of the world-class athletes. The difference is even greater on the Col du Tourmalet where the time difference is over 42 minutes. On the 18.83 kilometre climb with 1398 metres of elevation gain and an average gradient of 7.65 percent, professionals need an average of 1:08:50 hours, while amateurs need 1:51:01 hours.

Mont Ventoux

• Distance: 20.74 km
• Difference in altitude: +1569 m
• Average gradient: 8.31 %
• KOM: Tadej Pogačar
• Average time pro: 01:23:08
• Average amateur time: 02:03:23
• Average time difference: 40 min, 15 sec

Col du Tourmalet

• Distance: 18.83 km
• Difference in altitude: +1398 m
• Average gradient: 7.65 %
• KOM: Thibaut Pinot
• Average time pro: 01:08:50
• Average amateur time: 01:51:01
• Average time difference: 42 min, 11 sec

Surprising approaches over short distances

But there are also moments when the gap between the pros and ambitious amateurs is surprisingly small. On shorter, steeper climbs, the lead of the pros melts to just over a minute. This is particularly evident on the Côte du Pavé des Gardes, a 690 metre long segment with 63 metres of elevation gain and an average gradient of 7.82 percent. Here, only around 64 seconds separate the everyday cyclist from the pro. The average time for professionals is 2:42 minutes, while amateurs need an average of 3:46 minutes. The situation is similar on the Côte de la Butte Montmartre, where the difference is 1 minute and 21 seconds. Such segments, which are more like an intensive sprint than a long Alpine climb, show that even very well-trained amateurs can come surprisingly close to the top performances for a short time.

Côte du Pavé des Gardes

• Distance: 0.69 km
• Difference in altitude: +63 m
• Average gradient: 7.82%
• KOM: Alexandre Latil
• Average time pro: 00:02:42
• Average amateur time: 00:03:46
• Average time difference: 1 min, 4 sec

Côte de la Butte Montmartre

• Distance: 0.82 km
• Difference in altitude: +50 m
• Average gradient: 6.06%
• KOM: Wout van Aert
• Average time pro: 00:02:21
• Average amateur time: 00:03:42
• Average time difference: 1 min, 21 sec

Insights into the performance of the Tour stars

The Strava analysis not only provides interesting comparative values, but also gives an insight into the exceptional performance of the Tour de France stars. On the Hautacam, a 13.36 kilometre climb with 1,047 metres of elevation gain and an average gradient of 7.68 percent, the difference between pros and amateurs was 23 minutes and 17 seconds on average. While Tadej Pogačar, the current Strava KOM holder, has a time of 54:26 minutes, amateurs need an average of 1:17:43 hours for the same climb. These figures don't just illustrate statistics, but the impressive level and incredible performance achieved at the top of world cycling. Where amateurs fight hard to conquer the mountain, the pros seem to master it almost effortlessly.

Hautacam

• Distance: 13.36 km
• Difference in altitude: +1,047 m
• Average gradient: 7.68%
• KOM: Tadej Pogačar
• Average time pro: 00:54:26
• Average amateur time: 01:17:43
• Average time difference: 23 min, 17 sec

Conclusion: Impressive differences and motivating approaches

The Strava analysis of the Tour de France segments reveals both the impressive superiority of the pros on long, demanding climbs and the surprisingly close finishes on short, intensive routes. While the time differences of 40 minutes and more on the legendary Alpine passes emphasise the extraordinary performance of the Tour stars, the small gaps on short segments show that even ambitious amateurs can produce astonishing performances for a limited time. These findings not only provide fascinating insights into the world of professional cycling, but can also serve as motivation for amateur athletes to test their own limits and continuously work on their performance.