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Fast and furious - Gustav Larsson's power profile for Stage 7 of the Amgen Tour of California
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Gustav Larsson survived another fast-paced stage and finished safely ensconced in the peloton, which finished about two minutes behind the day’s winning break. Saxo Bank was represented in the break by Frank Schleck who put in a very strong attack with two laps to go on the Rose Bowl circuit in Pasadena, but came up short, taking eighth place. The action among the leading group of ten was similar to a Belgian kermesse: one attack after another.
Larsson wasn’t a part of the final winning breakaway, but he did cover moves in the first hour of racing. The first part of the race was so fast that he set his highest 30-minute output of 416 watts (471 normalized power).
Total Time: 3.27:02
Stage placing: 63rd at 2:19
GC placing after Stage 6: 22 at 6:25
Body Weight: 80kg
Average speed: 25.2
Average heart rate: 131
Max heart rate: 170
Average cadence: 91
Average watts: 306w (387 normalized power)
Max watts: 1224w
Training Stress Score: 234 (based on a threshold of 470w)
See Gustav’s File Viewer at Trainingpeaks.com.
Saxo Bank’s rider development manager, Bobby Julich, offered his thoughts on Larsson's stage 7 performance.
“After a great time trial yesterday, Larsson deserved a nice easy day, but that was not in the cards,” Julich said. “The attacks lasted for about an hour and Larsson covered a few attacks himself. Once the break was established, things calmed down and it turned out to be a nicely controlled stage for him.”
The Tour of California is certainly not getting any easier as the riders race their way south. Stage 7 was a tough day and, according to Julich, Larsson said he felt good and under control, so that must mean he is racing his way into some good from.
To prove just how hard Saturday’s stage was Larsson set both his highest CP4 value at 521w, and his highest CP30 value at 471w for any of the road stages this week. His TSS value of 243 was also his highest workload for any single day of racing yet.
Julich has high hopes for Larsson as the Tour of California wraps up on Sunday, with the race’s highest peak yet to be conquered.
“He is really happy with how his form is coming around and that he is feeling stronger every day,” said Julich. “Tomorrow could present him the chance to go on the attack, but the goal is more to help Jens (Voigt) stay in the front.”
Dirk Friel raced professionally on the roads of Europe, Asia and the Americas and is a co-founder of TrainingPeaks.com. He may be reached by e-mail at Dirk@Peaksware.com.
Hunter Allen who is widely respected as an expert in coaching and training athletes with a power meter and co-author of “Training and Racing with a Power Meter”. He may be reached at Hunter@peakscoachinggroup.com.
