Valley of the Sun Stage Race – Stage 1: Time Trial – Ask a Cycling Coach 245

TL;DR

US National Champions discuss their strategies and experiences at the Valley of the Sun Stage Race.

Transcript

welcome to a special episode of the only podcast dedicated to making you a faster cyclist ask a cycling coach podcast presented by trainerroad I'm coach Jonathan Lee and to my left we have our CEO Nate Pearson hello we have keegan Swenson US National Champion and rider for Stan's pivot hello how you doing man oh good nice you're having us yeah welc... Read More

Key Insights

• 🐎 The time trial stage is crucial in determining overall race success in stage races.
• 🥳 Power-to-weight ratio plays a significant role in time trial performance.
• 😇 Nutrition strategies for road races include consuming various forms of calories, such as gels and chewable bars.
• 😤 Team composition and breakaway dynamics are crucial factors in determining the success of breakaways in road races.
• 😥 The Valley of the Sun Stage Race only awards points down to ninth place, limiting the motivation for riders outside of the top positions.
• 👀 Keegan and Ryan are looking forward to the criterium stage, as they enjoy the intensity and tactics of criterium racing.
• ✊ Developing a strong position and aerodynamic setup on the time trial bike is crucial for maximizing power output.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the Valley of the Sun Stage Race?

The Valley of the Sun Stage Race is a three-stage road race held in Phoenix, Arizona, featuring a time trial, road race, and criterium.

Q: What is Keegan Swenson's power-to-weight ratio?

Keegan Swenson has an FTP of around 360-370 watts and weighs approximately 146 pounds.

Q: How did Keegan and Ryan perform in the time trial stage?

Keegan finished with a time of 31:35, averaging 345 watts and placing 46th overall. Ryan finished with a time of 33:26, averaging 355 watts and placing 23rd overall.

Q: What are their strategies for the road race?

Keegan and Ryan plan to follow breakaways and take advantage of tailwind sections to gain an advantage. They will be looking for opportunities to join or create breakaways.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Valley of the Sun Stage Race is a three-stage road race in Phoenix, Arizona.

• The time trial stage includes a 15-mile course with gradual climbs.

• Keegan Swenson and Ryan Standish share their power-to-weight ratios and discuss their plans for the upcoming road race.