Earnest, C. P.Foster, CarlHoyos, J.Muniesa Ferrero, Carlos AlbertoSantalla Hernández, AlfredoLucía Mulas, Alejandro2013-11-272013-11-272009Earnest, C. P., Foster, C., Hoyos, J., Muniesa, C. A., Santalla, A., & Lucía-Mulas, A. (2009). Time trial exertion traits of cycling's grand tours. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 30(4), 240-244.14393964http://hdl.handle.net/11268/181We examined 26 professional riders during time trial (TT) competitions of the Grand Tours of cycling (Tour de France and Vuelta Espana; 1997-2003) for the exertional characteristics of contending vs. non-contending (i.e., support) riders. We categorized HR time during TT into training impulse (TRIMP) defined from seasonal VO2max testing [Phase I (RCP]. Races were: Short TT (15 km; 48.12+/-8.7 km); Uphill TT (20.0+/-8.7 km) and Team TT (44.1+/-20.9 km). We observed statistically significant event-by-contender interactions for all TT (all, P<0.0001) except the short TT. During uphill TT, contenders exerted fewer total TRIMP (P<0.01), more Zone 3 TRIMP (P<0.05), and fewer Zone 2 TRIMP (P<0.01) vs. non-contenders. For individual TT, contenders accumulated more Total and Zone 3 TRIMP vs. non-contenders (all, P<0.05). Interestingly, during the team TT, contenders accumulated more Zone 3, and fewer Zone 2 TRIMP (all, P<0.05), despite having the opportunity to draft behind other riders while in paceline race formation. During TT events, contending riders compete at a level of exertion corresponding to a higher metabolic demand during the uphill TT, individual TT and team TT.engBicycling/*PhysiologyOxygen Consumption/*PhysiologyPhysical Exertion/*PhysiologyCompetitive BehaviorEnergy Metabolism/PhysiologyHeart Rate/PhysiologyHumansTime Factorsjournal article10.1055/s-0028-1105948restricted accessAtletaFisiología humanaDeporte