Does the conventional wisdom that Diesel intervals should focus on extended efforts at moderate intensity, around 70-80% of FTP, potentially hold back riders who focus on this narrow range, neglecting other aspects of fitness such as high-intensity intervals and neuromuscular training, and are there coaches or trainers who have successfully deviated from this approach with their athletes?
Is it possible that an overemphasis on Diesel intervals can lead to a form of Diesel-induced fatigue where riders become accustomed to a narrow range of effort and struggle to respond to the varying demands of actual racing and group rides, and if so, how do coaches and athletes balance the need for moderate-intensity endurance training with the need for high-intensity training and neuromuscular development?
Can we say that Diesel intervals are truly the most efficient way to build endurance, or are there other, potentially more effective approaches that have been overlooked in favor of this conventional wisdom, and if so, what are the drawbacks to these alternative approaches, and how can they be effectively incorporated into a riders training program?