Top 30 cyclists of all time - Page 2

Originally Posted by sopas

Hello again,

This is what Lemond used to do and recomends in his book:

Training begins in November after a whole week of total rest (4th week of October).

Without getting into details but in general his training gooes as follows:

November: Train 4 days a week during the first 3 weeks. 4th week total rest.
December: Train 4 days a week during the first 3 weeks. 4th week total rest.
From January onwards: Train 6 days a week the whole month. Mondays is always rest day the whole year.

***********************

In the middle of the season (when not participating in a race) his typical week of training was like this:

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 1,5-2 hours (45/60 km). Trains sprints. High intensity day.
Wednesday: 3.5-4.5 hours (105-135 km). Middle intensity with intervals on anaerobic limit.
Thursday: 6-7 hours (180-210 km). Long resistance day. 65-80% max.

Friday: 1,5-2 hours (45/60 km). Trains sprints. High intensity day.
Saturday: 3.5-4.5 hours (105-135 km). Middle intensity with intervals on anaerobic limit.
Sunday: 6-7 hours (180-210 km). Long resistance day. 65-80% max.

Total week Km = between 660-810.

***********************

So basically he only rested for 3 whole weeks during the whole year (and all the Mondays).
Note that he rests all the Mondays because this is usually the day after a race (you don't get on the bike the day after the Tour de France ends!!!)

This is of course his idea of a perfect season without injuries, illness, and other impediments.

Originally Posted by limerickman

Thanks.

Having read the Robert Millar, what becomes apparent is just how much training a top level professional does during a season.
Millar's book says that he trained 5-6 days per week : each week.

Kelly was another very hard worker.
Kelly is alleged to have trained throughout the offseason and while racing he would still train!

Originally Posted by sopas

Hello Limerikman,

Lemond talks about Kelly several times on his book, and refers to him as his main rival. Lemond says that sometimes if he trained too much he would feel mentally burned, and remarked that Kelly would train all the time no matter what. I think Lemond really admired Kelly's will.

Changing subject. Indurain followed a similar schedule than Lemond. That is: training 6 days a week.

High intensity,
middle intensity,
long ride
High intensity,
middle intensity,
long ride

But of course Miguel also raced the whole year (Giro, Tour, World Championship).

I wonder what guys like Contador and Armstrong have been doing since the Tour ended.