Abstract

The influence of cycling assessment on peak power output and road-based cycling performance prediction was evaluated in twelve well-trained amateur cyclists (mean  SD; age, 35  8 yr; body mass, 74.1  6.7 kg; stature: 181  6 cm). Determining peak power output, cyclists completed a graded i) ramp assessment on a Kingcycle air-braked ergometer (PPOKING), ii) continuous assessment on a SRM electromagnetically-braked ergometer (PPOSRM), and iii) discontinuous assessment on a Monark friction-braked ergometer (PPOMON). Furthermore, a 40-km road-based individual cycle race was completed. Throughout each, power was measured using an SRM Training System. Despite no differences (P > 0.05) in O2peak across graded assessments, PPOKING (387  49W) was 3.6% higher (P < 0.05) than PPOSRM (373  38W) and 9% higher (P < 0.05) than PPOMON (352  41W). Relating assessment-derived peak power output with road-based performance (mean power: 288  36W; mean time: 62:00  3:13 min:sec), PPOKING (r = 0.94: P < 0.001), PPOSRM (r = 0.87; P < 0.001) and PPOMON (r = 0.90; P < 0.001) were strongly correlated to mean power but not time (PPOKING; r = -0.41; P > 0.05: PPOSRM; r = -0.42; P > 0.05: PPOMON; r = -0.41: P > 0.05). Independent of determination, peak power output was strongly related to performance power and may provide effective means of obtained training and racing intensities.