{"id":2047407,"date":"2026-07-16T11:53:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T08:53:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2047407"},"modified":"2026-07-16T11:53:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T08:53:46","slug":"what-kind-of-sprinter-are-you-understanding-the-key-strengths-of-tour-de-france-fastmen-and-how-to-beat-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2047407","title":{"rendered":"What kind of sprinter are you? Understanding the key strengths of Tour de France fastmen \u2013 and how to beat them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-2000-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J6Q2Xhyw4tnatsz4rBNvHd-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/J6Q2Xhyw4tnatsz4rBNvHd-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Another bunch sprint decides stage 8 of the 2026 Tour de France after breakaway rider caught in final 2km\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Flat stage 7 of the Tour de France finishes in a bunch sprint\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHznLBDLdWJWt3ABy4iJwY-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NHznLBDLdWJWt3ABy4iJwY-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Surprise winner in the bunch sprint at stage 11 of the Tour de France\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nCycling Culture\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTraining\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>What kind of sprinter are you? Understanding the key strengths of Tour de France fastmen \u2013 and how to beat them<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJim van den Berg <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-16T11:53:46Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">From muscle fibres and aerodynamics to peak power and aerobic capacity, knowing where your sprint strengths lie will help shape the finish in your favour, explains training expert Jim van den Berg<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<aside>\n<p class=\"article-body__disclaimer\"><em>This is a Cyclingnews advertisement feature with JOIN. As a Cyclingnews subscriber, you get access to one month of free cycling training.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Have your say<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1644-8106-11f1-bad3-7f8cb7f3f1f7\">Sprinting: one cyclist sees it as a necessary evil, while another treats it almost as an art form. There may be no facet of cycling that divides the cycling world quite like sprinting. But whatever you think of it, sprinting is an important part of cycling performance. And we&#8217;re not just talking about sprinting for the competitive rider, such as those fastmen currently competing at the 2026 Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p>The non-racing cyclist is rarely averse to a cheeky sprint for the next landmark either \u2014 the town sign, the caf\u00e9, the top of a rise. (In much of Europe, it&#8217;s practically a ritual: the dash for the town-name sign at the edge of each village. But wherever you ride, every group has its own unofficial finish line.) If you&#8217;re tired of always finishing last in those, you really ought to find out what kind of sprinter you are. Because with that knowledge, you can try to bend the sprint to your will and, for once, be first across it.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1644-8106-11f1-bad3-7f8cb7f3f1f7-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Before we run through the different types of sprinters, first, a quick word on what sprinting actually involves \u2013 sprinting is about speed, not power. Power is a means to achieve high speed, but so are low weight, low rolling resistance, and good aerodynamics. On top of that, the power you can produce depends not only on strength but also on the speed at which you turn the pedals. Still being able to deliver your force at a very high cadence requires excellent coordination.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Power, strength, lower weight, and coordination can all, of course, be influenced by training. But the extent to which is unfortunately limited. As the saying goes among exercise physiologists, you can turn a sprinter into a decent climber, but you can never turn a climber into a sprinter. (I&#8217;d also advise you to steer well clear of drinks with exercise physiologists, but that&#8217;s beside the point.)<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-member-exclusive-offer\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Member Exclusive offer<\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"slice-container-person-QVCTc9uJXXdcgtp4AnZmxf-gEkEaZNytWHg1z6F4FrcTaDqFHv35BN9\" class=\"slice-container person-wrapper person-QVCTc9uJXXdcgtp4AnZmxf-gEkEaZNytWHg1z6F4FrcTaDqFHv35BN9 slice-container-person\">\n<div class=\"person person--separator person--strapline\"><span class=\"person__strapline\">Member Exclusive offer<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X5x9t25bwQTwDUKVouyC7i-140-80.png.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X5x9t25bwQTwDUKVouyC7i.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X5x9t25bwQTwDUKVouyC7i.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X5x9t25bwQTwDUKVouyC7i.png\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__heading\"><span class=\"person__strapline-inline\">Member Exclusive offer<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__name-socials\"><span class=\"person__name\">Get one month of JOIN.cc training for free<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__bio\">\n<p>Cyclingnews and JOIN have teamed up to provide our subscribers with one month of free access to their cycling training platform, with AI-insight and training plans to fit in around your busy life. <strong>Redeem your free month here<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-1b7a293e-8107-11f1-bd93-85f23bd729b3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is because a true sprinter needs to be born with a substantial amount of fast-twitch muscle fibres (type 2). If you have them, you&#8217;ll still need to train them. It&#8217;s worth knowing, though, that &#8216;type 2&#8217; isn&#8217;t one single thing but a spectrum: the intermediate type 2a fibres are more fatigue-resistant and sit close to the endurance fibres, while the pure fast-twitch type 2x (or 2b) fibres are the most explosive but also the quickest to tire. Where a rider sits on that spectrum shapes what kind of sprinter they are \u2014 as we&#8217;ll see. And it&#8217;s not as if a track sprinter isn&#8217;t working hard at their sport. But if a climber type were to follow the same training regime, with lots of strength training and specific sprint work, the improvement would be very limited.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">How hard is the Tour de France?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head \u2013 Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I always love watching the sprints&#8217; &#8211; Caleb Ewan analyses the Tour de France sprint in Bordeaux<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">To win a sprint, you above all need to know what type of sprinter you are \u2013 and to size up the competition. You need to know who you&#8217;re up against. That way, you can try to shape the circumstances in your favour. Should you open the sprint very early at high speed, or wait as long as possible and preferably start from a low speed? Sprinting is, to a very large degree, tactics. So here are five types of sprinters \u2013 plus the non-sprinter.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-power-sprinter-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The power sprinter<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a17d4-8106-11f1-bee3-f1e259f9ae28\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is the purest form of sprinter. This rider has a very large share of fast-twitch fibres and isn&#8217;t necessarily the lightest in the peloton.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-8f5d6956-8107-11f1-a8a5-53281d1461cd\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Read more premium features like this&#8230;<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images\/Illustration by Michael Rawley)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>The magic zone \u2013 A deep dive into zone 2 and how taking it steady has become the WorldTour&#8217;s go-to training strategy<\/li>\n<li>Taper less, ride more? Why pro cyclists are training harder than science often suggests<\/li>\n<li>Is heat training playing with fire? There are hidden risks, but here&#8217;s how to do it safely<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-bef5bb8c-8107-11f1-bdc2-35badf0ac150\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As a result, this sprinter hits a very high absolute peak power in the first 3\u20136 seconds of a sprint, after which the main task is limiting the drop-off. For this type, a sprint shouldn&#8217;t last longer than 12-15 seconds. Although this type isn&#8217;t the lightest, a sprint on a 2-3% uphill drag is ideal. Speeds are slightly lower there, so the larger frontal area isn&#8217;t a problem. Moreover, a slightly rising road is perfect for putting down all that power.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the 2026 Tour de France, <strong>Tim Merlier<\/strong> (Soudal QuickStep), who has already won two bunch sprints, is the archetype: often called the world&#8217;s best pure sprinter, big and powerful, and devastating over a short, explosive kick \u2013 exactly the type of rider you don&#8217;t want to give a clean, short drag race to.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-79e34f34-810a-11f1-b953-b55923d899bd\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Merlier storms ahead on stage 8 of the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"the-aero-sprinter-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The aero sprinter<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a18c4-8106-11f1-a61d-4141be07c92e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This type of sprinter doesn&#8217;t have the highest absolute peak power, but thanks to a low body weight, they have a very high relative peak power. With less weight to accelerate, this sprinter is at least as fast \u2014 or even faster \u2014 than the power sprinter over the first metres. But where this sprinter really makes the difference is at very high speeds, once out of the draft. Compared to the power sprinter, their aerodynamics are better, so they fade less at very high speeds. Because of their small stature, this sprinter is often mistaken for a climber in the early years of their career. As a result, some of these sprinters never surface in the pro peloton.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;You have to take every opportunity you get&#8217; &#8211; After four days of suffering Tim Merlier is ready for first sprint of 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Tadej keeps on surprising us&#8217; \u2013 The inside view on how UAE Team Emirates-XRG have constructed Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s assault on a fifth Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Who can beat Jonathan Milan? Analysing the sprinters of the Giro d&#8217;Italia<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Jasper Philipsen<\/strong> (Alpecin-Premier Tech) leans this way: the master of the high-speed slingshot who comes past out of the slipstream just as everyone else is topping out. The classic small-and-light version of this rider \u2014 so often mistaken for a climber early on \u2014 is best remembered in the likes of Caleb Ewan or Mark Cavendish.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-deceptively-slow-sprinter-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The deceptively slow sprinter<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a19b4-8106-11f1-8c62-9b97aea63488\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is a type of sprinter you wouldn&#8217;t expect to lose to at first glance. This rider isn&#8217;t all that explosive: peak power and acceleration over the first metres are nowhere near those of the power sprinter or the aero sprinter. But this sprinter has very little drop-off and can sustain a sprint for a very long time. This type, therefore, wants to make the sprint as long as possible because in a short sprint, they will always lose to the more explosive types. These sprinters often have a relatively large share of intermediate type 2a muscle fibres \u2013 those in-between fibres we met earlier, sitting somewhere between pure endurance fibres (type 1) and pure fast-twitch (type 2x) fibres.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Mads Pedersen<\/strong> is a fine modern example: rarely the quickest off the wheel, but with a huge, low-fading engine forged in the cobbled Classics, he thrives when the sprint is long and grinding, and the pure fastmen are already emptying.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-79e34fca-810a-11f1-bc78-dbfff818cdea\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Pedersen punches the air after clinching stage 4 of the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"the-speed-sprinter-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The speed sprinter<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1a9a-8106-11f1-8d41-0119ff6908ee\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is a sprinter who relies above all on coordination. Track riders in the endurance disciplines, such as the omnium or points race, tend to be very good at this. Like no one else, they can keep accelerating in the same gear simply by spinning a very high leg speed. Even when everyone in a sprint is at top speed in their biggest gear, this sprinter can raise the cadence once more and keep accelerating.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Olav Kooij<\/strong>&#8216;s smooth, high-cadence style typifies it. The purest expression historically comes from the track endurance riders \u2013 the omnium and points-race specialists like Elia Viviani or Mark Cavendish in his prime \u2013 who could always find one more notch of cadence when everyone around them was spun out.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em>The five types above, in their own ways, are all trying to win the sprint. The final two are different \u2013 they&#8217;re really about why you keep losing it, and what your race should look like instead.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-puncheur-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The puncheur<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1b8a-8106-11f1-a0b9-e916a000523c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This sprinter is really more of a climber \u2013 but a climber for short, steep efforts of up to roughly 5 minutes. For that, this rider has a high relative power output (W\/kg) and fierce acceleration uphill. On the flat, sprinting against the types above, they don&#8217;t stand a chance \u2013 even a long overpass won&#8217;t be enough.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Julian Alaphilippe<\/strong> is the textbook puncheur: electric on a short, sharp climb, a former world champion on exactly that kind of terrain \u2013 but line him up in a flat bunch sprint against the fastmen, and he&#8217;s nowhere. The answer, if this is you, isn&#8217;t to sprint better; it&#8217;s to pick a finish that suits you and race away from the flat kick entirely.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-diesel-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The diesel<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1c7a-8106-11f1-81b5-31b986f58f68\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The anti-sprinter \u2013 the one we might affectionately call the diesel. The rider who has almost exclusively type 1 fibres and completely neglects training their type 2 fibres will be hopeless in every sprint: no top-end punch at all, just a big, tireless engine. The purest diesel at the 2026 Tour is a GC climber like <strong>Jonas Vingegaard<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-d55a1ce8-8106-11f1-bac1-b99fe4c3602c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Have you read this yet?<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-2560-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images\/Illustration by Michael Rawley)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\"><strong>Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head \u2013 Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1d4c-8106-11f1-81e0-d161a5e284be\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The only option this cyclist has against genuine sprinting firepower is, first of all, to make sure the race is hard enough before the finale. The competition needs to be thoroughly worn down first. The sprinters with lots of type 2 fibres, who depend heavily on their carbohydrate stores, must already have burned deep into those reserves. And if that works, the next task is to arrive solo. No easy assignment, in other words.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Put Vingegaard in a bunch kick, and he&#8217;s toast \u2013 but give him three weeks to grind everyone into the ground and arrive alone at the top of a mountain, and he&#8217;s very nearly unbeatable. Which is, of course, precisely the diesel&#8217;s playbook: make the race unbearably hard, empty the fast men&#8217;s tanks, and finish on your own.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-forgotten-factor-turning-up-fresh-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The forgotten factor: turning up fresh<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1e14-8106-11f1-a9f6-dfb28ebf3529\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Here&#8217;s the piece most sprint discussions leave out. A sprint is never contested in a lab \u2013 it comes at the end of a long, hard race, and the rider who wins is very often simply the one who arrives freshest. A huge peak power on rested legs counts for little if you&#8217;ve spent the whole day burning matches just to stay in the wheels.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is where the aerobic engine quietly decides on sprints. A rider blessed with both genuine finishing speed <em>and<\/em> a big aerobic engine can sit in the bunch all day at a far lower relative effort \u2013 sparing their precious type 2 fibres and, crucially, their limited glycogen stores. Everyone lines up in the final kilometre with the fast-twitch fibres they were born with, but not with the same amount left in the tank. The rider who&#8217;s been floating along at 60% of their ceiling all day will beat the equally fast rider who&#8217;s been clinging on at 85%, almost every time.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s also why the biggest engines tend to win the hardest sprints. <strong>Mathieu van der Poel<\/strong> is the clearest example: an enormous aerobic capacity paired with a real sprint, so that on a brutal, selective day he simply arrives fresher than the pure fastmen and out-drags whatever is left of them, or holds off the bunch completely like on stage 9. Wout van Aert is cut from the same cloth (injury keeps him out of this year&#8217;s Tour), and Mads Pedersen wins many of his finishes the same way, such as stage 4 into Foix. The lesson for the rest of us: a bigger aerobic base doesn&#8217;t only help you finish the ride \u2013 on any hard day, it&#8217;s the difference between contesting the sprint and being a passenger to it.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-bbde7698-810a-11f1-a142-1f980ad13db0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van der Poel powers to the line on stage 9 of the Tour, doing just enough to hold off the peloton <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"so-which-one-are-you-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So \u2013 which one are you?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1ed2-8106-11f1-9887-1be5e9925086\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A rough field guide, based on how your own sprints tend to feel:<\/p>\n<ul id=\"elk-d55a1f2c-8106-11f1-b84c-294347d384fc\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<li>You explode off the wheel, and you&#8217;re gone in the first few seconds, but you fade if it drags on past 10 or 12 seconds? You&#8217;re a <strong>power sprinter<\/strong> \u2013 or, if you&#8217;re light and keep pulling at very high speed, an <strong>aero sprinter<\/strong>. Keep your sprint short and ideally slightly uphill.<\/li>\n<li>You&#8217;re never the fastest to react, but somehow you&#8217;re still there at the line while the quick starters come back to you? You lean towards the <strong>deceptively slow sprinter<\/strong> \u2013 make the sprint as long and honest as you can.<\/li>\n<li>When everyone else is maxed out in their biggest gear, can you find another notch just by spinning faster? That&#8217;s the <strong>speed sprinter&#8217;s<\/strong> coordination \u2013 don&#8217;t be afraid to keep the gear rolling.<\/li>\n<li>You only ever win when the road kicks up for a minute or two? You&#8217;re a <strong>puncheur<\/strong> \u2013 choose your finish and forget the bunch kicks.<\/li>\n<li>You get shelled the moment things go fast, but you can ride almost anyone off your wheel over a long, hard day? Embrace the <strong>diesel<\/strong> \u2013 make it brutal and go alone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1f86-8106-11f1-b0a3-8734424a5ed3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And whatever your type: the fresher you arrive, the better every one of these plays out.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As explained, how good you can become at sprinting \u2013 and what type of sprinter you are \u2013 ultimately comes down largely to natural talent. That said, with plenty of talent but zero sprint training, you&#8217;ll never become a sprinter. And even without much natural gift, training your sprint is still worthwhile. You&#8217;ll become a better sprinter regardless, but you&#8217;ll also train all your muscle fibres with a maximal effort, improve the coordination of your pedal stroke, and your bike handling will improve by leaps and bounds. Sprint training brings far more benefits than just being first to that town sign \u2013 or whatever your group&#8217;s unofficial finish line happens to be. Make the most of it!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-have-your-say\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Have your say<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Premium Training<\/p>\n<p>Premium In-Depth Racing<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">CATEGORIES<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Pro Cycling<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-QVCTc9uJXXdcgtp4AnZmxf\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-QVCTc9uJXXdcgtp4AnZmxf slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3UvAfuJdWNEdtCyyFuLUBg-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3UvAfuJdWNEdtCyyFuLUBg.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3UvAfuJdWNEdtCyyFuLUBg.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3UvAfuJdWNEdtCyyFuLUBg.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Jim van den Berg<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">CEO and founder of JOIN Cycling<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Jim van den Berg is the CEO and co-founder of JOIN.cc, an AI-powered cycling training platform. Prior to launching JOIN in 2019, Jim raced as a semi-professional for two Dutch UCI continental teams, before turning his attention to coaching cyclists, including WorldTour pro Taco van der Hoorn, and supporting the World Hour Record attempts of Thomas Dekker and Dion Beukeboom. Jim also has a degree in Human Performance Science and a master&#8217;s degree in Sports &amp; Exercise Psychology.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">How hard is the Tour de France?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head \u2013 Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I always love watching the sprints&#8217; &#8211; Caleb Ewan analyses the Tour de France sprint in Bordeaux<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;You have to take every opportunity you get&#8217; &#8211; After four days of suffering Tim Merlier is ready for first sprint of 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Tadej keeps on surprising us&#8217; \u2013 The inside view on how UAE Team Emirates-XRG have constructed Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s assault on a fifth Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who can beat Jonathan Milan? Analysing the sprinters of the Giro d&#8217;Italia<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CR37rojAgVRbGjSjLkmE7G-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CR37rojAgVRbGjSjLkmE7G-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CR37rojAgVRbGjSjLkmE7G-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CR37rojAgVRbGjSjLkmE7G-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CR37rojAgVRbGjSjLkmE7G-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It absolutely is a game-changer&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s performance coach reveals more about his preparation, training tools and motivators ahead of the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: First bunch sprint of Tour de France ends with a dominant win after chaotic run-in<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yUmEXDp6R3F4EyPnogzKtR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yUmEXDp6R3F4EyPnogzKtR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yUmEXDp6R3F4EyPnogzKtR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yUmEXDp6R3F4EyPnogzKtR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yUmEXDp6R3F4EyPnogzKtR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Another bunch sprint despite a late flurry of attacks at stage 12 of the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Taper less, ride more? Why pro cyclists are training harder than science often suggests<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Flat stage 7 of the Tour de France finishes in a bunch sprint<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Training<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What is Urolithin A? New recovery-boosting supplement spotted at the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCjESWYkcb72EwT3kcjjiH-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCjESWYkcb72EwT3kcjjiH-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCjESWYkcb72EwT3kcjjiH-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCjESWYkcb72EwT3kcjjiH-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCjESWYkcb72EwT3kcjjiH-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Is heat training playing with fire? There are hidden risks, but here&#8217;s how to do it safely<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYuMPxP5T8JcKDQY3vkQ2c-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYuMPxP5T8JcKDQY3vkQ2c-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYuMPxP5T8JcKDQY3vkQ2c-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYuMPxP5T8JcKDQY3vkQ2c-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYuMPxP5T8JcKDQY3vkQ2c-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">My RED-S experience felt like a constant battle of trying to understand my body and failing, now I know less is more and that life isn&#8217;t all about cycling<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Taper less, ride more? Why pro cyclists are training harder than science often suggests<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nzyms38B5JYoedxhBm7Lnn-840-80.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nzyms38B5JYoedxhBm7Lnn-650-80.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nzyms38B5JYoedxhBm7Lnn-500-80.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nzyms38B5JYoedxhBm7Lnn-450-80.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nzyms38B5JYoedxhBm7Lnn-320-80.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Zwift goes outdoors with new Recommendation feature, plus &#8216;Level 100&#8217; limit removed in latest round of updates<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The magic zone \u2013 A deep dive into zone 2 and how taking it steady has become the WorldTour&#8217;s go-to training strategy<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kcxDsSdxPXbxvM92xGaD8f-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kcxDsSdxPXbxvM92xGaD8f-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kcxDsSdxPXbxvM92xGaD8f-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kcxDsSdxPXbxvM92xGaD8f-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kcxDsSdxPXbxvM92xGaD8f-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s historically embraced practices that have put riders&#8217; bone health at risk&#8217; &#8211; How pro cycling is tackling its awkward relationship with low bone density<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4eQ3bN4cm6WgfiCEhgeC6k-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4eQ3bN4cm6WgfiCEhgeC6k-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4eQ3bN4cm6WgfiCEhgeC6k-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4eQ3bN4cm6WgfiCEhgeC6k-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4eQ3bN4cm6WgfiCEhgeC6k-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">How tracking your period, heart rate and vital stats can help female cyclists with performance \u2013 and where should we still &#8216;use our feeling first&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UAjrag4hFSzzRqEup7zAqH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UAjrag4hFSzzRqEup7zAqH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UAjrag4hFSzzRqEup7zAqH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UAjrag4hFSzzRqEup7zAqH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UAjrag4hFSzzRqEup7zAqH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">I tried nasal strips for cycling to find out if they&#8217;re just the latest trend, or a real performance enhancer \u2013 here&#8217;s how they stack up to the marketing claims<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALiiRzXnNjz3Jxgb4SAGkh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALiiRzXnNjz3Jxgb4SAGkh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALiiRzXnNjz3Jxgb4SAGkh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALiiRzXnNjz3Jxgb4SAGkh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALiiRzXnNjz3Jxgb4SAGkh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ergogenic edge or empty promise: How do we know what&#8217;s really inside cycling supplements?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cWB8xA9byCtgUAuADVBSR7-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cWB8xA9byCtgUAuADVBSR7-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cWB8xA9byCtgUAuADVBSR7-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cWB8xA9byCtgUAuADVBSR7-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cWB8xA9byCtgUAuADVBSR7-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Cycling&#8217;s blood flow restriction boom \u2013 what&#8217;s proven, and what isn&#8217;t<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2UzuPgpnWUNxamv9wB8ix5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2UzuPgpnWUNxamv9wB8ix5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2UzuPgpnWUNxamv9wB8ix5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2UzuPgpnWUNxamv9wB8ix5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2UzuPgpnWUNxamv9wB8ix5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From pistolets to performance gains: Inside Remco Evenepoel and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe&#8217;s fuelling strategy<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Right now the fight is for the podium&#8217; &#8211; Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare for two-handed GC game in Tour de France&#8217;s long weekend of mountain stages<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Tour de France tour of revenge is almost complete \u2013 Which demons are still left to slay?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar surpasses Chris Froome&#8217;s yellow jersey haul \u2013 who is next to beat in the Tour de France record books?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Peerless Poga\u010dar drains tension out of the Tour de France as Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s losing battle brings podium scramble into focus \u2013 GC analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Subscribe and watch our Seka Spear video review before anyone else<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vive la France: Lapierre rolls out Bastille Day frameset at the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">I can&#8217;t understand why UAE Team Emirates-XRG are riding so much, but Poga\u010dar is so good that he will correct any mistakes in the Alps &#8211; Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGLnf6uKyzpK5mjrkUCdH4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGLnf6uKyzpK5mjrkUCdH4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGLnf6uKyzpK5mjrkUCdH4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGLnf6uKyzpK5mjrkUCdH4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGLnf6uKyzpK5mjrkUCdH4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">In this extreme heat there&#8217;s less room to hide, it&#8217;s like you&#8217;re at altitude and some riders adapt better than others &#8211; Matej Mohori\u010d&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mvcXYcNijBaZm5khzjireP-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mvcXYcNijBaZm5khzjireP-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mvcXYcNijBaZm5khzjireP-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mvcXYcNijBaZm5khzjireP-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mvcXYcNijBaZm5khzjireP-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Fuelling the Tour de France: We compare the calorie burn to a Wimbledon final, a World Cup game, and a Big Mac<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BVGG6sVKFKsyDezoKNnjHJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BVGG6sVKFKsyDezoKNnjHJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BVGG6sVKFKsyDezoKNnjHJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BVGG6sVKFKsyDezoKNnjHJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BVGG6sVKFKsyDezoKNnjHJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Pained, exhausted, and doused with water \u2013 Faces of the first week of the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XaSzbLtJSjes3crkVqCWFY-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XaSzbLtJSjes3crkVqCWFY-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XaSzbLtJSjes3crkVqCWFY-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XaSzbLtJSjes3crkVqCWFY-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XaSzbLtJSjes3crkVqCWFY-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance will open up the race and give us more opportunities &#8211; Luke Plapp&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Right now the fight is for the podium&#8217; &#8211; Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare for two-handed GC game in Tour de France&#8217;s long weekend of mountain stages<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">How long will US riders&#8217; Tour de France stage win drought continue? Dubious streak reaches 100 stages<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in race<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;We go bananas&#8217; \u2013 Lidl-Trek honour fair play code but throw cat among pigeons with barrage of attacks on the Tour de France sprinters&#8217; teams<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;He was our big hope for the win&#8217; &#8211; Former Tour de France leader Fern\u00e1ndo Gaviria exits with broken collarbone<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nCycling Culture\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTraining\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>What kind of sprinter are you? Understanding the key strengths of Tour de France fastmen \u2013 and how to beat them<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJim van den Berg <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-16T11:53:46Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">From muscle fibres and aerodynamics to peak power and aerobic capacity, knowing where your sprint strengths lie will help shape the finish in your favour, explains training expert Jim van den Berg<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<aside>\n<p class=\"article-body__disclaimer\"><em>This is a Cyclingnews advertisement feature with JOIN. As a Cyclingnews subscriber, you get access to one month of free cycling training.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Have your say<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1644-8106-11f1-bad3-7f8cb7f3f1f7\">Sprinting: one cyclist sees it as a necessary evil, while another treats it almost as an art form. There may be no facet of cycling that divides the cycling world quite like sprinting. But whatever you think of it, sprinting is an important part of cycling performance. And we&#8217;re not just talking about sprinting for the competitive rider, such as those fastmen currently competing at the 2026 Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p>The non-racing cyclist is rarely averse to a cheeky sprint for the next landmark either \u2014 the town sign, the caf\u00e9, the top of a rise. (In much of Europe, it&#8217;s practically a ritual: the dash for the town-name sign at the edge of each village. But wherever you ride, every group has its own unofficial finish line.) If you&#8217;re tired of always finishing last in those, you really ought to find out what kind of sprinter you are. Because with that knowledge, you can try to bend the sprint to your will and, for once, be first across it.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1644-8106-11f1-bad3-7f8cb7f3f1f7-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Before we run through the different types of sprinters, first, a quick word on what sprinting actually involves \u2013 sprinting is about speed, not power. Power is a means to achieve high speed, but so are low weight, low rolling resistance, and good aerodynamics. On top of that, the power you can produce depends not only on strength but also on the speed at which you turn the pedals. Still being able to deliver your force at a very high cadence requires excellent coordination.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Power, strength, lower weight, and coordination can all, of course, be influenced by training. But the extent to which is unfortunately limited. As the saying goes among exercise physiologists, you can turn a sprinter into a decent climber, but you can never turn a climber into a sprinter. (I&#8217;d also advise you to steer well clear of drinks with exercise physiologists, but that&#8217;s beside the point.)<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-member-exclusive-offer\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Member Exclusive offer<\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"slice-container-person-QVCTc9uJXXdcgtp4AnZmxf-gEkEaZNytWHg1z6F4FrcTaDqFHv35BN9\" class=\"slice-container person-wrapper person-QVCTc9uJXXdcgtp4AnZmxf-gEkEaZNytWHg1z6F4FrcTaDqFHv35BN9 slice-container-person\">\n<div class=\"person person--separator person--strapline\"><span class=\"person__strapline\">Member Exclusive offer<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X5x9t25bwQTwDUKVouyC7i-140-80.png.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X5x9t25bwQTwDUKVouyC7i.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X5x9t25bwQTwDUKVouyC7i.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X5x9t25bwQTwDUKVouyC7i.png\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__heading\"><span class=\"person__strapline-inline\">Member Exclusive offer<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__name-socials\"><span class=\"person__name\">Get one month of JOIN.cc training for free<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__bio\">\n<p>Cyclingnews and JOIN have teamed up to provide our subscribers with one month of free access to their cycling training platform, with AI-insight and training plans to fit in around your busy life. <strong>Redeem your free month here<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-1b7a293e-8107-11f1-bd93-85f23bd729b3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is because a true sprinter needs to be born with a substantial amount of fast-twitch muscle fibres (type 2). If you have them, you&#8217;ll still need to train them. It&#8217;s worth knowing, though, that &#8216;type 2&#8217; isn&#8217;t one single thing but a spectrum: the intermediate type 2a fibres are more fatigue-resistant and sit close to the endurance fibres, while the pure fast-twitch type 2x (or 2b) fibres are the most explosive but also the quickest to tire. Where a rider sits on that spectrum shapes what kind of sprinter they are \u2014 as we&#8217;ll see. And it&#8217;s not as if a track sprinter isn&#8217;t working hard at their sport. But if a climber type were to follow the same training regime, with lots of strength training and specific sprint work, the improvement would be very limited.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">How hard is the Tour de France?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head \u2013 Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I always love watching the sprints&#8217; &#8211; Caleb Ewan analyses the Tour de France sprint in Bordeaux<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">To win a sprint, you above all need to know what type of sprinter you are \u2013 and to size up the competition. You need to know who you&#8217;re up against. That way, you can try to shape the circumstances in your favour. Should you open the sprint very early at high speed, or wait as long as possible and preferably start from a low speed? Sprinting is, to a very large degree, tactics. So here are five types of sprinters \u2013 plus the non-sprinter.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-power-sprinter-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The power sprinter<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a17d4-8106-11f1-bee3-f1e259f9ae28\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is the purest form of sprinter. This rider has a very large share of fast-twitch fibres and isn&#8217;t necessarily the lightest in the peloton.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-8f5d6956-8107-11f1-a8a5-53281d1461cd\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Read more premium features like this&#8230;<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images\/Illustration by Michael Rawley)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>The magic zone \u2013 A deep dive into zone 2 and how taking it steady has become the WorldTour&#8217;s go-to training strategy<\/li>\n<li>Taper less, ride more? Why pro cyclists are training harder than science often suggests<\/li>\n<li>Is heat training playing with fire? There are hidden risks, but here&#8217;s how to do it safely<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-bef5bb8c-8107-11f1-bdc2-35badf0ac150\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As a result, this sprinter hits a very high absolute peak power in the first 3\u20136 seconds of a sprint, after which the main task is limiting the drop-off. For this type, a sprint shouldn&#8217;t last longer than 12-15 seconds. Although this type isn&#8217;t the lightest, a sprint on a 2-3% uphill drag is ideal. Speeds are slightly lower there, so the larger frontal area isn&#8217;t a problem. Moreover, a slightly rising road is perfect for putting down all that power.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the 2026 Tour de France, <strong>Tim Merlier<\/strong> (Soudal QuickStep), who has already won two bunch sprints, is the archetype: often called the world&#8217;s best pure sprinter, big and powerful, and devastating over a short, explosive kick \u2013 exactly the type of rider you don&#8217;t want to give a clean, short drag race to.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-79e34f34-810a-11f1-b953-b55923d899bd\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Merlier storms ahead on stage 8 of the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"the-aero-sprinter-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The aero sprinter<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a18c4-8106-11f1-a61d-4141be07c92e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This type of sprinter doesn&#8217;t have the highest absolute peak power, but thanks to a low body weight, they have a very high relative peak power. With less weight to accelerate, this sprinter is at least as fast \u2014 or even faster \u2014 than the power sprinter over the first metres. But where this sprinter really makes the difference is at very high speeds, once out of the draft. Compared to the power sprinter, their aerodynamics are better, so they fade less at very high speeds. Because of their small stature, this sprinter is often mistaken for a climber in the early years of their career. As a result, some of these sprinters never surface in the pro peloton.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;You have to take every opportunity you get&#8217; &#8211; After four days of suffering Tim Merlier is ready for first sprint of 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Tadej keeps on surprising us&#8217; \u2013 The inside view on how UAE Team Emirates-XRG have constructed Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s assault on a fifth Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Who can beat Jonathan Milan? Analysing the sprinters of the Giro d&#8217;Italia<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Jasper Philipsen<\/strong> (Alpecin-Premier Tech) leans this way: the master of the high-speed slingshot who comes past out of the slipstream just as everyone else is topping out. The classic small-and-light version of this rider \u2014 so often mistaken for a climber early on \u2014 is best remembered in the likes of Caleb Ewan or Mark Cavendish.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-deceptively-slow-sprinter-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The deceptively slow sprinter<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a19b4-8106-11f1-8c62-9b97aea63488\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is a type of sprinter you wouldn&#8217;t expect to lose to at first glance. This rider isn&#8217;t all that explosive: peak power and acceleration over the first metres are nowhere near those of the power sprinter or the aero sprinter. But this sprinter has very little drop-off and can sustain a sprint for a very long time. This type, therefore, wants to make the sprint as long as possible because in a short sprint, they will always lose to the more explosive types. These sprinters often have a relatively large share of intermediate type 2a muscle fibres \u2013 those in-between fibres we met earlier, sitting somewhere between pure endurance fibres (type 1) and pure fast-twitch (type 2x) fibres.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Mads Pedersen<\/strong> is a fine modern example: rarely the quickest off the wheel, but with a huge, low-fading engine forged in the cobbled Classics, he thrives when the sprint is long and grinding, and the pure fastmen are already emptying.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-79e34fca-810a-11f1-bc78-dbfff818cdea\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Pedersen punches the air after clinching stage 4 of the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"the-speed-sprinter-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The speed sprinter<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1a9a-8106-11f1-8d41-0119ff6908ee\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is a sprinter who relies above all on coordination. Track riders in the endurance disciplines, such as the omnium or points race, tend to be very good at this. Like no one else, they can keep accelerating in the same gear simply by spinning a very high leg speed. Even when everyone in a sprint is at top speed in their biggest gear, this sprinter can raise the cadence once more and keep accelerating.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Olav Kooij<\/strong>&#8216;s smooth, high-cadence style typifies it. The purest expression historically comes from the track endurance riders \u2013 the omnium and points-race specialists like Elia Viviani or Mark Cavendish in his prime \u2013 who could always find one more notch of cadence when everyone around them was spun out.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em>The five types above, in their own ways, are all trying to win the sprint. The final two are different \u2013 they&#8217;re really about why you keep losing it, and what your race should look like instead.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-puncheur-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The puncheur<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1b8a-8106-11f1-a0b9-e916a000523c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This sprinter is really more of a climber \u2013 but a climber for short, steep efforts of up to roughly 5 minutes. For that, this rider has a high relative power output (W\/kg) and fierce acceleration uphill. On the flat, sprinting against the types above, they don&#8217;t stand a chance \u2013 even a long overpass won&#8217;t be enough.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Julian Alaphilippe<\/strong> is the textbook puncheur: electric on a short, sharp climb, a former world champion on exactly that kind of terrain \u2013 but line him up in a flat bunch sprint against the fastmen, and he&#8217;s nowhere. The answer, if this is you, isn&#8217;t to sprint better; it&#8217;s to pick a finish that suits you and race away from the flat kick entirely.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-diesel-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The diesel<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1c7a-8106-11f1-81b5-31b986f58f68\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The anti-sprinter \u2013 the one we might affectionately call the diesel. The rider who has almost exclusively type 1 fibres and completely neglects training their type 2 fibres will be hopeless in every sprint: no top-end punch at all, just a big, tireless engine. The purest diesel at the 2026 Tour is a GC climber like <strong>Jonas Vingegaard<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-d55a1ce8-8106-11f1-bac1-b99fe4c3602c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Have you read this yet?<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-2560-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images\/Illustration by Michael Rawley)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\"><strong>Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head \u2013 Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1d4c-8106-11f1-81e0-d161a5e284be\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The only option this cyclist has against genuine sprinting firepower is, first of all, to make sure the race is hard enough before the finale. The competition needs to be thoroughly worn down first. The sprinters with lots of type 2 fibres, who depend heavily on their carbohydrate stores, must already have burned deep into those reserves. And if that works, the next task is to arrive solo. No easy assignment, in other words.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Put Vingegaard in a bunch kick, and he&#8217;s toast \u2013 but give him three weeks to grind everyone into the ground and arrive alone at the top of a mountain, and he&#8217;s very nearly unbeatable. Which is, of course, precisely the diesel&#8217;s playbook: make the race unbearably hard, empty the fast men&#8217;s tanks, and finish on your own.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-forgotten-factor-turning-up-fresh-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The forgotten factor: turning up fresh<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1e14-8106-11f1-a9f6-dfb28ebf3529\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Here&#8217;s the piece most sprint discussions leave out. A sprint is never contested in a lab \u2013 it comes at the end of a long, hard race, and the rider who wins is very often simply the one who arrives freshest. A huge peak power on rested legs counts for little if you&#8217;ve spent the whole day burning matches just to stay in the wheels.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is where the aerobic engine quietly decides on sprints. A rider blessed with both genuine finishing speed <em>and<\/em> a big aerobic engine can sit in the bunch all day at a far lower relative effort \u2013 sparing their precious type 2 fibres and, crucially, their limited glycogen stores. Everyone lines up in the final kilometre with the fast-twitch fibres they were born with, but not with the same amount left in the tank. The rider who&#8217;s been floating along at 60% of their ceiling all day will beat the equally fast rider who&#8217;s been clinging on at 85%, almost every time.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s also why the biggest engines tend to win the hardest sprints. <strong>Mathieu van der Poel<\/strong> is the clearest example: an enormous aerobic capacity paired with a real sprint, so that on a brutal, selective day he simply arrives fresher than the pure fastmen and out-drags whatever is left of them, or holds off the bunch completely like on stage 9. Wout van Aert is cut from the same cloth (injury keeps him out of this year&#8217;s Tour), and Mads Pedersen wins many of his finishes the same way, such as stage 4 into Foix. The lesson for the rest of us: a bigger aerobic base doesn&#8217;t only help you finish the ride \u2013 on any hard day, it&#8217;s the difference between contesting the sprint and being a passenger to it.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-bbde7698-810a-11f1-a142-1f980ad13db0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van der Poel powers to the line on stage 9 of the Tour, doing just enough to hold off the peloton <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"so-which-one-are-you-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So \u2013 which one are you?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1ed2-8106-11f1-9887-1be5e9925086\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A rough field guide, based on how your own sprints tend to feel:<\/p>\n<ul id=\"elk-d55a1f2c-8106-11f1-b84c-294347d384fc\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<li>You explode off the wheel, and you&#8217;re gone in the first few seconds, but you fade if it drags on past 10 or 12 seconds? You&#8217;re a <strong>power sprinter<\/strong> \u2013 or, if you&#8217;re light and keep pulling at very high speed, an <strong>aero sprinter<\/strong>. Keep your sprint short and ideally slightly uphill.<\/li>\n<li>You&#8217;re never the fastest to react, but somehow you&#8217;re still there at the line while the quick starters come back to you? You lean towards the <strong>deceptively slow sprinter<\/strong> \u2013 make the sprint as long and honest as you can.<\/li>\n<li>When everyone else is maxed out in their biggest gear, can you find another notch just by spinning faster? That&#8217;s the <strong>speed sprinter&#8217;s<\/strong> coordination \u2013 don&#8217;t be afraid to keep the gear rolling.<\/li>\n<li>You only ever win when the road kicks up for a minute or two? You&#8217;re a <strong>puncheur<\/strong> \u2013 choose your finish and forget the bunch kicks.<\/li>\n<li>You get shelled the moment things go fast, but you can ride almost anyone off your wheel over a long, hard day? Embrace the <strong>diesel<\/strong> \u2013 make it brutal and go alone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1f86-8106-11f1-b0a3-8734424a5ed3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And whatever your type: the fresher you arrive, the better every one of these plays out.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As explained, how good you can become at sprinting \u2013 and what type of sprinter you are \u2013 ultimately comes down largely to natural talent. That said, with plenty of talent but zero sprint training, you&#8217;ll never become a sprinter. And even without much natural gift, training your sprint is still worthwhile. You&#8217;ll become a better sprinter regardless, but you&#8217;ll also train all your muscle fibres with a maximal effort, improve the coordination of your pedal stroke, and your bike handling will improve by leaps and bounds. Sprint training brings far more benefits than just being first to that town sign \u2013 or whatever your group&#8217;s unofficial finish line happens to be. Make the most of it!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-have-your-say\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Have your say<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Premium Training<\/p>\n<p>Premium In-Depth Racing<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">CATEGORIES<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Pro Cycling<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-QVCTc9uJXXdcgtp4AnZmxf\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-QVCTc9uJXXdcgtp4AnZmxf slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3UvAfuJdWNEdtCyyFuLUBg-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3UvAfuJdWNEdtCyyFuLUBg.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3UvAfuJdWNEdtCyyFuLUBg.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3UvAfuJdWNEdtCyyFuLUBg.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Jim van den Berg<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">CEO and founder of JOIN Cycling<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Jim van den Berg is the CEO and co-founder of JOIN.cc, an AI-powered cycling training platform. Prior to launching JOIN in 2019, Jim raced as a semi-professional for two Dutch UCI continental teams, before turning his attention to coaching cyclists, including WorldTour pro Taco van der Hoorn, and supporting the World Hour Record attempts of Thomas Dekker and Dion Beukeboom. Jim also has a degree in Human Performance Science and a master&#8217;s degree in Sports &amp; Exercise Psychology.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">How hard is the Tour de France?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head \u2013 Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I always love watching the sprints&#8217; &#8211; Caleb Ewan analyses the Tour de France sprint in Bordeaux<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;You have to take every opportunity you get&#8217; &#8211; After four days of suffering Tim Merlier is ready for first sprint of 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Tadej keeps on surprising us&#8217; \u2013 The inside view on how UAE Team Emirates-XRG have constructed Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s assault on a fifth Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who can beat Jonathan Milan? Analysing the sprinters of the Giro d&#8217;Italia<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CR37rojAgVRbGjSjLkmE7G-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CR37rojAgVRbGjSjLkmE7G-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CR37rojAgVRbGjSjLkmE7G-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CR37rojAgVRbGjSjLkmE7G-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CR37rojAgVRbGjSjLkmE7G-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It absolutely is a game-changer&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s performance coach reveals more about his preparation, training tools and motivators ahead of the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: First bunch sprint of Tour de France ends with a dominant win after chaotic run-in<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yUmEXDp6R3F4EyPnogzKtR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yUmEXDp6R3F4EyPnogzKtR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yUmEXDp6R3F4EyPnogzKtR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yUmEXDp6R3F4EyPnogzKtR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yUmEXDp6R3F4EyPnogzKtR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Another bunch sprint despite a late flurry of attacks at stage 12 of the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Taper less, ride more? Why pro cyclists are training harder than science often suggests<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qEZWTjykHLMAPBfGicedSZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Flat stage 7 of the Tour de France finishes in a bunch sprint<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Training<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What is Urolithin A? New recovery-boosting supplement spotted at the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCjESWYkcb72EwT3kcjjiH-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCjESWYkcb72EwT3kcjjiH-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCjESWYkcb72EwT3kcjjiH-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCjESWYkcb72EwT3kcjjiH-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VCjESWYkcb72EwT3kcjjiH-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Is heat training playing with fire? There are hidden risks, but here&#8217;s how to do it safely<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYuMPxP5T8JcKDQY3vkQ2c-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYuMPxP5T8JcKDQY3vkQ2c-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYuMPxP5T8JcKDQY3vkQ2c-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYuMPxP5T8JcKDQY3vkQ2c-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vYuMPxP5T8JcKDQY3vkQ2c-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">My RED-S experience felt like a constant battle of trying to understand my body and failing, now I know less is more and that life isn&#8217;t all about cycling<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kvx5aiSbFbqXoy7hGMu9Km-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Taper less, ride more? Why pro cyclists are training harder than science often suggests<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nzyms38B5JYoedxhBm7Lnn-840-80.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nzyms38B5JYoedxhBm7Lnn-650-80.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nzyms38B5JYoedxhBm7Lnn-500-80.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nzyms38B5JYoedxhBm7Lnn-450-80.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nzyms38B5JYoedxhBm7Lnn-320-80.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Zwift goes outdoors with new Recommendation feature, plus &#8216;Level 100&#8217; limit removed in latest round of updates<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The magic zone \u2013 A deep dive into zone 2 and how taking it steady has become the WorldTour&#8217;s go-to training strategy<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kcxDsSdxPXbxvM92xGaD8f-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kcxDsSdxPXbxvM92xGaD8f-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kcxDsSdxPXbxvM92xGaD8f-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kcxDsSdxPXbxvM92xGaD8f-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kcxDsSdxPXbxvM92xGaD8f-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s historically embraced practices that have put riders&#8217; bone health at risk&#8217; &#8211; How pro cycling is tackling its awkward relationship with low bone density<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4eQ3bN4cm6WgfiCEhgeC6k-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4eQ3bN4cm6WgfiCEhgeC6k-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4eQ3bN4cm6WgfiCEhgeC6k-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4eQ3bN4cm6WgfiCEhgeC6k-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4eQ3bN4cm6WgfiCEhgeC6k-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">How tracking your period, heart rate and vital stats can help female cyclists with performance \u2013 and where should we still &#8216;use our feeling first&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UAjrag4hFSzzRqEup7zAqH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UAjrag4hFSzzRqEup7zAqH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UAjrag4hFSzzRqEup7zAqH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UAjrag4hFSzzRqEup7zAqH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UAjrag4hFSzzRqEup7zAqH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">I tried nasal strips for cycling to find out if they&#8217;re just the latest trend, or a real performance enhancer \u2013 here&#8217;s how they stack up to the marketing claims<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALiiRzXnNjz3Jxgb4SAGkh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALiiRzXnNjz3Jxgb4SAGkh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALiiRzXnNjz3Jxgb4SAGkh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALiiRzXnNjz3Jxgb4SAGkh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ALiiRzXnNjz3Jxgb4SAGkh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ergogenic edge or empty promise: How do we know what&#8217;s really inside cycling supplements?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cWB8xA9byCtgUAuADVBSR7-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cWB8xA9byCtgUAuADVBSR7-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cWB8xA9byCtgUAuADVBSR7-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cWB8xA9byCtgUAuADVBSR7-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cWB8xA9byCtgUAuADVBSR7-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Cycling&#8217;s blood flow restriction boom \u2013 what&#8217;s proven, and what isn&#8217;t<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2UzuPgpnWUNxamv9wB8ix5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2UzuPgpnWUNxamv9wB8ix5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2UzuPgpnWUNxamv9wB8ix5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2UzuPgpnWUNxamv9wB8ix5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2UzuPgpnWUNxamv9wB8ix5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From pistolets to performance gains: Inside Remco Evenepoel and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe&#8217;s fuelling strategy<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Right now the fight is for the podium&#8217; &#8211; Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare for two-handed GC game in Tour de France&#8217;s long weekend of mountain stages<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YN6WMzxsY6XnwL738UGTp-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Tour de France tour of revenge is almost complete \u2013 Which demons are still left to slay?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/faqaDf9dXE3bxjBmU9iwsD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar surpasses Chris Froome&#8217;s yellow jersey haul \u2013 who is next to beat in the Tour de France record books?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Peerless Poga\u010dar drains tension out of the Tour de France as Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s losing battle brings podium scramble into focus \u2013 GC analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uLikcooH64kFHe8iwkwWXE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Subscribe and watch our Seka Spear video review before anyone else<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XxGmUBPsoiMC89uDiewA46-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Vive la France: Lapierre rolls out Bastille Day frameset at the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wbYcDhxbQvkdFcVyDeQhj-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">I can&#8217;t understand why UAE Team Emirates-XRG are riding so much, but Poga\u010dar is so good that he will correct any mistakes in the Alps &#8211; Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGLnf6uKyzpK5mjrkUCdH4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGLnf6uKyzpK5mjrkUCdH4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGLnf6uKyzpK5mjrkUCdH4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGLnf6uKyzpK5mjrkUCdH4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGLnf6uKyzpK5mjrkUCdH4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">In this extreme heat there&#8217;s less room to hide, it&#8217;s like you&#8217;re at altitude and some riders adapt better than others &#8211; Matej Mohori\u010d&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mvcXYcNijBaZm5khzjireP-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mvcXYcNijBaZm5khzjireP-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mvcXYcNijBaZm5khzjireP-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mvcXYcNijBaZm5khzjireP-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mvcXYcNijBaZm5khzjireP-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Fuelling the Tour de France: We compare the calorie burn to a Wimbledon final, a World Cup game, and a Big Mac<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BVGG6sVKFKsyDezoKNnjHJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BVGG6sVKFKsyDezoKNnjHJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BVGG6sVKFKsyDezoKNnjHJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BVGG6sVKFKsyDezoKNnjHJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BVGG6sVKFKsyDezoKNnjHJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Pained, exhausted, and doused with water \u2013 Faces of the first week of the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XaSzbLtJSjes3crkVqCWFY-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XaSzbLtJSjes3crkVqCWFY-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XaSzbLtJSjes3crkVqCWFY-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XaSzbLtJSjes3crkVqCWFY-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XaSzbLtJSjes3crkVqCWFY-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance will open up the race and give us more opportunities &#8211; Luke Plapp&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pG2ZAN4hpK6gZUCivVcFJ7.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Right now the fight is for the podium&#8217; &#8211; Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe prepare for two-handed GC game in Tour de France&#8217;s long weekend of mountain stages<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">How long will US riders&#8217; Tour de France stage win drought continue? Dubious streak reaches 100 stages<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in race<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;We go bananas&#8217; \u2013 Lidl-Trek honour fair play code but throw cat among pigeons with barrage of attacks on the Tour de France sprinters&#8217; teams<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;He was our big hope for the win&#8217; &#8211; Former Tour de France leader Fern\u00e1ndo Gaviria exits with broken collarbone<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nCycling Culture\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTraining\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>What kind of sprinter are you? Understanding the key strengths of Tour de France fastmen \u2013 and how to beat them<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJim van den Berg <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-16T11:53:46Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n16 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">From muscle fibres and aerodynamics to peak power and aerobic capacity, knowing where your sprint strengths lie will help shape the finish in your favour, explains training expert Jim van den Berg<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1644-8106-11f1-bad3-7f8cb7f3f1f7\">Sprinting: one cyclist sees it as a necessary evil, while another treats it almost as an art form. There may be no facet of cycling that divides the cycling world quite like sprinting. But whatever you think of it, sprinting is an important part of cycling performance. And we&#8217;re not just talking about sprinting for the competitive rider, such as those fastmen currently competing at the 2026 Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p>The non-racing cyclist is rarely averse to a cheeky sprint for the next landmark either \u2014 the town sign, the caf\u00e9, the top of a rise. (In much of Europe, it&#8217;s practically a ritual: the dash for the town-name sign at the edge of each village. But wherever you ride, every group has its own unofficial finish line.) If you&#8217;re tired of always finishing last in those, you really ought to find out what kind of sprinter you are. Because with that knowledge, you can try to bend the sprint to your will and, for once, be first across it.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1644-8106-11f1-bad3-7f8cb7f3f1f7-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Before we run through the different types of sprinters, first, a quick word on what sprinting actually involves \u2013 sprinting is about speed, not power. Power is a means to achieve high speed, but so are low weight, low rolling resistance, and good aerodynamics. On top of that, the power you can produce depends not only on strength but also on the speed at which you turn the pedals. Still being able to deliver your force at a very high cadence requires excellent coordination.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Power, strength, lower weight, and coordination can all, of course, be influenced by training. But the extent to which is unfortunately limited. As the saying goes among exercise physiologists, you can turn a sprinter into a decent climber, but you can never turn a climber into a sprinter. (I&#8217;d also advise you to steer well clear of drinks with exercise physiologists, but that&#8217;s beside the point.)<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-member-exclusive-offer\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Member Exclusive offer<\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"slice-container-person-QVCTc9uJXXdcgtp4AnZmxf-gEkEaZNytWHg1z6F4FrcTaDqFHv35BN9\" class=\"slice-container person-wrapper person-QVCTc9uJXXdcgtp4AnZmxf-gEkEaZNytWHg1z6F4FrcTaDqFHv35BN9 slice-container-person\">\n<div class=\"person person--separator person--strapline\"><span class=\"person__strapline\">Member Exclusive offer<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X5x9t25bwQTwDUKVouyC7i-140-80.png.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X5x9t25bwQTwDUKVouyC7i.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X5x9t25bwQTwDUKVouyC7i.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/X5x9t25bwQTwDUKVouyC7i.png\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__heading\"><span class=\"person__strapline-inline\">Member Exclusive offer<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__name-socials\"><span class=\"person__name\">Get one month of JOIN.cc training for free<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__bio\">\n<p>Cyclingnews and JOIN have teamed up to provide our subscribers with one month of free access to their cycling training platform, with AI-insight and training plans to fit in around your busy life. <strong>Redeem your free month here<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-1b7a293e-8107-11f1-bd93-85f23bd729b3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is because a true sprinter needs to be born with a substantial amount of fast-twitch muscle fibres (type 2). If you have them, you&#8217;ll still need to train them. It&#8217;s worth knowing, though, that &#8216;type 2&#8217; isn&#8217;t one single thing but a spectrum: the intermediate type 2a fibres are more fatigue-resistant and sit close to the endurance fibres, while the pure fast-twitch type 2x (or 2b) fibres are the most explosive but also the quickest to tire. Where a rider sits on that spectrum shapes what kind of sprinter they are \u2014 as we&#8217;ll see. And it&#8217;s not as if a track sprinter isn&#8217;t working hard at their sport. But if a climber type were to follow the same training regime, with lots of strength training and specific sprint work, the improvement would be very limited.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HttFtpmfUB8k8T4YwX2NCB-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">How hard is the Tour de France?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head \u2013 Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/959MkazUCwnWPad37jYS87-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I always love watching the sprints&#8217; &#8211; Caleb Ewan analyses the Tour de France sprint in Bordeaux<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">To win a sprint, you above all need to know what type of sprinter you are \u2013 and to size up the competition. You need to know who you&#8217;re up against. That way, you can try to shape the circumstances in your favour. Should you open the sprint very early at high speed, or wait as long as possible and preferably start from a low speed? Sprinting is, to a very large degree, tactics. So here are five types of sprinters \u2013 plus the non-sprinter.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-power-sprinter-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The power sprinter<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a17d4-8106-11f1-bee3-f1e259f9ae28\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is the purest form of sprinter. This rider has a very large share of fast-twitch fibres and isn&#8217;t necessarily the lightest in the peloton.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-8f5d6956-8107-11f1-a8a5-53281d1461cd\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Read more premium features like this&#8230;<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images\/Illustration by Michael Rawley)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>The magic zone \u2013 A deep dive into zone 2 and how taking it steady has become the WorldTour&#8217;s go-to training strategy<\/li>\n<li>Taper less, ride more? Why pro cyclists are training harder than science often suggests<\/li>\n<li>Is heat training playing with fire? There are hidden risks, but here&#8217;s how to do it safely<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-bef5bb8c-8107-11f1-bdc2-35badf0ac150\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As a result, this sprinter hits a very high absolute peak power in the first 3\u20136 seconds of a sprint, after which the main task is limiting the drop-off. For this type, a sprint shouldn&#8217;t last longer than 12-15 seconds. Although this type isn&#8217;t the lightest, a sprint on a 2-3% uphill drag is ideal. Speeds are slightly lower there, so the larger frontal area isn&#8217;t a problem. Moreover, a slightly rising road is perfect for putting down all that power.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In the 2026 Tour de France, <strong>Tim Merlier<\/strong> (Soudal QuickStep), who has already won two bunch sprints, is the archetype: often called the world&#8217;s best pure sprinter, big and powerful, and devastating over a short, explosive kick \u2013 exactly the type of rider you don&#8217;t want to give a clean, short drag race to.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-79e34f34-810a-11f1-b953-b55923d899bd\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FXijsJvFYK2w3Pahoihbt5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Merlier storms ahead on stage 8 of the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"the-aero-sprinter-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The aero sprinter<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a18c4-8106-11f1-a61d-4141be07c92e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This type of sprinter doesn&#8217;t have the highest absolute peak power, but thanks to a low body weight, they have a very high relative peak power. With less weight to accelerate, this sprinter is at least as fast \u2014 or even faster \u2014 than the power sprinter over the first metres. But where this sprinter really makes the difference is at very high speeds, once out of the draft. Compared to the power sprinter, their aerodynamics are better, so they fade less at very high speeds. Because of their small stature, this sprinter is often mistaken for a climber in the early years of their career. As a result, some of these sprinters never surface in the pro peloton.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cUiBWi6XKDEBM5QmoDuaxR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;You have to take every opportunity you get&#8217; &#8211; After four days of suffering Tim Merlier is ready for first sprint of 2026 Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/s2mu99cSc9cQb8sSAxSoJR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Tadej keeps on surprising us&#8217; \u2013 The inside view on how UAE Team Emirates-XRG have constructed Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s assault on a fifth Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rJfRvneuq3c2jetavQNFHY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Who can beat Jonathan Milan? Analysing the sprinters of the Giro d&#8217;Italia<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Jasper Philipsen<\/strong> (Alpecin-Premier Tech) leans this way: the master of the high-speed slingshot who comes past out of the slipstream just as everyone else is topping out. The classic small-and-light version of this rider \u2014 so often mistaken for a climber early on \u2014 is best remembered in the likes of Caleb Ewan or Mark Cavendish.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-deceptively-slow-sprinter-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The deceptively slow sprinter<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a19b4-8106-11f1-8c62-9b97aea63488\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is a type of sprinter you wouldn&#8217;t expect to lose to at first glance. This rider isn&#8217;t all that explosive: peak power and acceleration over the first metres are nowhere near those of the power sprinter or the aero sprinter. But this sprinter has very little drop-off and can sustain a sprint for a very long time. This type, therefore, wants to make the sprint as long as possible because in a short sprint, they will always lose to the more explosive types. These sprinters often have a relatively large share of intermediate type 2a muscle fibres \u2013 those in-between fibres we met earlier, sitting somewhere between pure endurance fibres (type 1) and pure fast-twitch (type 2x) fibres.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Mads Pedersen<\/strong> is a fine modern example: rarely the quickest off the wheel, but with a huge, low-fading engine forged in the cobbled Classics, he thrives when the sprint is long and grinding, and the pure fastmen are already emptying.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-79e34fca-810a-11f1-bc78-dbfff818cdea\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Pedersen punches the air after clinching stage 4 of the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"the-speed-sprinter-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The speed sprinter<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1a9a-8106-11f1-8d41-0119ff6908ee\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is a sprinter who relies above all on coordination. Track riders in the endurance disciplines, such as the omnium or points race, tend to be very good at this. Like no one else, they can keep accelerating in the same gear simply by spinning a very high leg speed. Even when everyone in a sprint is at top speed in their biggest gear, this sprinter can raise the cadence once more and keep accelerating.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Olav Kooij<\/strong>&#8216;s smooth, high-cadence style typifies it. The purest expression historically comes from the track endurance riders \u2013 the omnium and points-race specialists like Elia Viviani or Mark Cavendish in his prime \u2013 who could always find one more notch of cadence when everyone around them was spun out.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em>The five types above, in their own ways, are all trying to win the sprint. The final two are different \u2013 they&#8217;re really about why you keep losing it, and what your race should look like instead.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-puncheur-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The puncheur<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1b8a-8106-11f1-a0b9-e916a000523c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This sprinter is really more of a climber \u2013 but a climber for short, steep efforts of up to roughly 5 minutes. For that, this rider has a high relative power output (W\/kg) and fierce acceleration uphill. On the flat, sprinting against the types above, they don&#8217;t stand a chance \u2013 even a long overpass won&#8217;t be enough.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Julian Alaphilippe<\/strong> is the textbook puncheur: electric on a short, sharp climb, a former world champion on exactly that kind of terrain \u2013 but line him up in a flat bunch sprint against the fastmen, and he&#8217;s nowhere. The answer, if this is you, isn&#8217;t to sprint better; it&#8217;s to pick a finish that suits you and race away from the flat kick entirely.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-diesel-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The diesel<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1c7a-8106-11f1-81b5-31b986f58f68\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The anti-sprinter \u2013 the one we might affectionately call the diesel. The rider who has almost exclusively type 1 fibres and completely neglects training their type 2 fibres will be hopeless in every sprint: no top-end punch at all, just a big, tireless engine. The purest diesel at the 2026 Tour is a GC climber like <strong>Jonas Vingegaard<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-d55a1ce8-8106-11f1-bac1-b99fe4c3602c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Have you read this yet?<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-2560-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images\/Illustration by Michael Rawley)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"fancy-box__body-text\"><strong>Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head \u2013 Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1d4c-8106-11f1-81e0-d161a5e284be\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The only option this cyclist has against genuine sprinting firepower is, first of all, to make sure the race is hard enough before the finale. The competition needs to be thoroughly worn down first. The sprinters with lots of type 2 fibres, who depend heavily on their carbohydrate stores, must already have burned deep into those reserves. And if that works, the next task is to arrive solo. No easy assignment, in other words.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Put Vingegaard in a bunch kick, and he&#8217;s toast \u2013 but give him three weeks to grind everyone into the ground and arrive alone at the top of a mountain, and he&#8217;s very nearly unbeatable. Which is, of course, precisely the diesel&#8217;s playbook: make the race unbearably hard, empty the fast men&#8217;s tanks, and finish on your own.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-forgotten-factor-turning-up-fresh-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The forgotten factor: turning up fresh<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1e14-8106-11f1-a9f6-dfb28ebf3529\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Here&#8217;s the piece most sprint discussions leave out. A sprint is never contested in a lab \u2013 it comes at the end of a long, hard race, and the rider who wins is very often simply the one who arrives freshest. A huge peak power on rested legs counts for little if you&#8217;ve spent the whole day burning matches just to stay in the wheels.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">This is where the aerobic engine quietly decides on sprints. A rider blessed with both genuine finishing speed <em>and<\/em> a big aerobic engine can sit in the bunch all day at a far lower relative effort \u2013 sparing their precious type 2 fibres and, crucially, their limited glycogen stores. Everyone lines up in the final kilometre with the fast-twitch fibres they were born with, but not with the same amount left in the tank. The rider who&#8217;s been floating along at 60% of their ceiling all day will beat the equally fast rider who&#8217;s been clinging on at 85%, almost every time.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s also why the biggest engines tend to win the hardest sprints. <strong>Mathieu van der Poel<\/strong> is the clearest example: an enormous aerobic capacity paired with a real sprint, so that on a brutal, selective day he simply arrives fresher than the pure fastmen and out-drags whatever is left of them, or holds off the bunch completely like on stage 9. Wout van Aert is cut from the same cloth (injury keeps him out of this year&#8217;s Tour), and Mads Pedersen wins many of his finishes the same way, such as stage 4 into Foix. The lesson for the rest of us: a bigger aerobic base doesn&#8217;t only help you finish the ride \u2013 on any hard day, it&#8217;s the difference between contesting the sprint and being a passenger to it.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-bbde7698-810a-11f1-a142-1f980ad13db0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Van der Poel powers to the line on stage 9 of the Tour, doing just enough to hold off the peloton <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"so-which-one-are-you-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">So \u2013 which one are you?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1ed2-8106-11f1-9887-1be5e9925086\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A rough field guide, based on how your own sprints tend to feel:<\/p>\n<ul id=\"elk-d55a1f2c-8106-11f1-b84c-294347d384fc\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<li>You explode off the wheel, and you&#8217;re gone in the first few seconds, but you fade if it drags on past 10 or 12 seconds? You&#8217;re a <strong>power sprinter<\/strong> \u2013 or, if you&#8217;re light and keep pulling at very high speed, an <strong>aero sprinter<\/strong>. Keep your sprint short and ideally slightly uphill.<\/li>\n<li>You&#8217;re never the fastest to react, but somehow you&#8217;re still there at the line while the quick starters come back to you? You lean towards the <strong>deceptively slow sprinter<\/strong> \u2013 make the sprint as long and honest as you can.<\/li>\n<li>When everyone else is maxed out in their biggest gear, can you find another notch just by spinning faster? That&#8217;s the <strong>speed sprinter&#8217;s<\/strong> coordination \u2013 don&#8217;t be afraid to keep the gear rolling.<\/li>\n<li>You only ever win when the road kicks up for a minute or two? You&#8217;re a <strong>puncheur<\/strong> \u2013 choose your finish and forget the bunch kicks.<\/li>\n<li>You get shelled the moment things go fast, but you can ride almost anyone off your wheel over a long, hard day? Embrace the <strong>diesel<\/strong> \u2013 make it brutal and go alone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p id=\"elk-d55a1f86-8106-11f1-b0a3-8734424a5ed3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And whatever your type: the fresher you arrive, the better every one of these plays out.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As explained, how good you can become at sprinting \u2013 and what type of sprinter you are \u2013 ultimately comes down largely to natural talent. That said, with plenty of talent but zero sprint training, you&#8217;ll never become a sprinter. And even without much natural gift, training your sprint is still worthwhile. You&#8217;ll become a better sprinter regardless, but you&#8217;ll also train all your muscle fibres with a maximal effort, improve the coordination of your pedal stroke, and your bike handling will improve by leaps and bounds. Sprint training brings far more benefits than just being first to that town sign \u2013 or whatever your group&#8217;s unofficial finish line happens to be. Make the most of it!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-have-your-say\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Have your say<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/cycling-culture\/training\/what-kind-of-sprinter-are-you-understanding-the-key-strengths-of-tour-de-france-fastmen-and-how-to-beat-them\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-2000-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: Another bunch sprint decides stage 8 of the 2026 Tour de France after breakaway rider caught in final 2km 2 As it happened: Flat stage 7 of the Tour de France finishes in a bunch sprint 3 As it happened: Surprise winner in the bunch sprint at stage [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2047407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2047407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2047407"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2047407\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2047407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2047407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2047407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}