Young boys and girls take up cycling, and many dream of becoming professionals one day. As in most other sports, the chance of this dream becoming reality is very small. In the junior categories, there is a lot of cycling talent, but how much of their ultimate success is due to physiological differences, and how much is due to their environment and opportunities?
An undeniable characteristic of professional cyclists is the ‘big engine’. Riders in the pro peloton can generate enormous power within their aerobic metabolism—in other words, they have immense endurance. This endurance has been gradually built up over the years.
Different development paths of young cyclists
Looking at the current pro peloton, each rider has followed their own development path, and not every rider’s journey has been a straight line upwards. Some talents, such as Marianne Vos, Egan Bernal, Peter Sagan, and Mathieu van der Poel, are impossible to miss at a young age. Other riders, such as Tom Dumoulin, Simon Yates, and Steven Kruijswijk, develop more slowly.
A scientific study from 2015 provides a good insight into the development of Thibaut Pinot from junior to pro. What stands out in this data is the significant increase in training hours between 2008, when he was 18 years old, and 2010, when he was a first-year pro. In 2008, Pinot spent around 526 hours on the bike, approximately 10.1 hours per week, whereas in 2010, he trained for about 840 hours, roughly 16.1 hours per week. This represents a 60% increase in total training duration. This highlights that a junior rider’s performance does not necessarily predict their future success as a professional.1
The trainability of young athletes
The differences between young athletes can be enormous and do not necessarily impact their future career. These differences are primarily caused by variations in growth and development. Young athletes of the same age and height can be at completely different stages of growth and development at any given time. Therefore, the better rider in junior competitions is not necessarily the one with the most talent.
A recent study from 2019 examined the effect of training on VO2max and total haemoglobin mass in athletes aged 16 to 19. This study followed and compared a group of endurance athletes and a group of non-endurance athletes from age 16 to 19. Interestingly, there was no difference in haemoglobin levels or total haemoglobin increase between endurance and non-endurance athletes. While VO2max was higher at all ages in endurance athletes, the rate of increase was the same in both groups. Since VO2max increased at the same rate in non-endurance athletes, this suggests that the improvement in VO2max could simply be a by-product of growth and development.2
Whether or not a cyclist becomes a pro does not depend solely on VO2max. A high VO2max is of little use if a rider cannot sustain that level for long periods. Elite athletes can handle large workloads, which is a result of training. The example of Thibaut Pinot above demonstrates that he built a solid foundation in his younger years, allowing him to manage the increased training volume when he turned pro.1 In addition, technique, tactics, positioning, and the ability to endure suffering are also crucial aspects that can be developed in young cyclists.
Children are not miniature versions of adults
Young athletes should not be trained in the same way as adults. A strong foundation for later development is crucial. As a coach, I often see young cyclists joining group rides at their club, riding with older boys and girls or an adult leading the group. The impact of such a ride varies for each cyclist—those further along in their development find it relatively easy, while others must ride at near-race intensity just to keep up. Training hard alone does not build a solid foundation, and technical and tactical aspects may be neglected. A relaxed group training session with some playful elements is therefore preferable to a group ride at near-race intensity.
To ensure that talent flows into the professional ranks, it is essential to attract more children to cycling, ensure they enjoy the sport, keep them engaged, and allow the true talents to naturally rise to the top.
The role of environment in reaching the top
Genes undoubtedly play a crucial role in reaching elite levels in sport. Without the right genetic makeup, no amount of support will likely turn a cyclist into a professional. However, a Norwegian study shows that the right level of support can influence whether or not a rider secures a professional contract.
This study followed Norwegian cyclists from age 18 to 23. Based on their level at age 23, riders were categorised into groups (World Tour professionals and national-level riders), and their data at age 18 was analysed. To assess physiological differences, five World Tour riders were compared to eight non-World Tour riders. No differences were found in VO2max, lactate threshold, or VO2max at 300 watts between the groups. The only physiological difference was that World Tour riders had a higher maximal aerobic power (endurance capacity) than non-World Tour riders.3
The study did reveal that, at age 18, the nine World Tour riders had more competitive hours in their legs than the club-level riders or those who had quit cycling. Continental riders were in between. World Tour riders averaged ~92 hours, continental riders ~80 hours, club riders ~63 hours, and those who quit ~62 hours. Not only did the World Tour riders race more, but they also competed in longer races. This suggests that riders who eventually made it to the World Tour raced in different events than those who did not.3
The fact that the riders who reached the World Tour competed in longer races than the other groups highlights the role of the environment. These riders likely challenged themselves by racing further abroad and competing against tougher international competition instead of staying close to home and racing local events. This exposure also likely made them more visible to team managers of stronger international teams.
1. Pinot J, Grappe F (2015) A six-year monitoring case study of a top-10 cycling Grand Tour finisher. J Sports Sci 33:907–914
2. Steiner T, Maier T, Wehrlin JP (2019) Effect of Endurance Training on Hemoglobin Mass and V˙O2max in Male Adolescent Athletes: Med Sci Sports Exerc 51:912–919
3. Svendsen IS, Tønnesen E, Tjelta LI, Ørn S (2018) Training, Performance, and Physiological Predictors of a Successful Elite Senior Career in Junior Competitive Road Cyclists. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 13:1287–1292.
