Is pro cycling the hardest sport? Pro cycling is undoubtedly one of the most physically demanding sports, requiring exceptional endurance, strength, and mental fortitude. The gruelling climbs, long distances, and challenging terrains make it incredibly tough.
Sports like marathon running, triathlon, ultra-endurance events, MMA and boxing are also among the most physically demanding sports. Also, fighting sports have additional problems of pain and the psychological problems dealing with losses.
Whether pro cycling is the “hardest” sport is in part a matter of opinion, so here is the information to help you decide:
How many miles do pro cyclist ride a day?
Professional cyclists typically ride a significant number of miles or kilometers each day during their training and competitive seasons.
The exact distance can vary depending on the phase of their training, their specific goals, and the type of race or event they are preparing for.
Here are some general guidelines:
- Base Training: During the off-season or base training phase, professional cyclists may ride around 20 to 25 hours per week, covering approximately 300 to 400 miles (480 to 640 kilometers) per week. These rides are often longer and at a moderate intensity to build a strong aerobic base.
- Build and Specialty Phases: As they progress through their training plan, cyclists may increase their weekly mileage and intensity. Some weeks may include rides of 100 miles (160 kilometers) or more to build endurance and simulate race conditions.
- Race Preparation: In the weeks leading up to a specific race or event, professional cyclists may do race-specific training that includes intervals and efforts at race pace. During this phase, they might ride fewer miles but focus on high-intensity efforts.
- Stage Races: In multi-day stage races like the Tour de France, professional cyclists can cover anywhere from 100 to 150 miles (160 to 240 kilometers) per stage. Over the course of a multi-day race, they may ride several hundred miles.
- Recovery Days: Even professional cyclists need recovery days to allow their bodies to rest and adapt. On recovery days, they might do short, easy rides or even take complete rest.
- Rest and Taper: Before important races, cyclists go through a tapering period, where they reduce their training volume and intensity to ensure they are fresh and fully recovered for competition.
How many hours a day do pro cyclists ride?
“The cyclist is a man half made of flesh and half of steel that only our century of science and iron could have spawned.” -Louis Baudry de Saunier
