Barranco Gil, DavidMateo March, ManuelMuriel, XabierPallarés, Jesús G.Lucía Mulas, AlejandroValenzuela Tallón, Pedro Luis2025-08-042025-08-042025Barranco‐Gil, D., Mateo‐March, M., Muriel, X., Pallarés, J. G., Lucia, A., & Valenzuela, P. L. (2025). What does it take to reach the podium? Power output and heart rate‐derived racing demands of top cyclists during grand tours. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 35(5), e70074. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.700741600-08380905-7188https://hdl.handle.net/11268/16078Scarce evidence exists on the demands needed to attain the highest positions during Grand Tours (Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a España). Using power output (PO) and heart rate (HR) data, we aimed to compare the racing demands of successful (at least top-5) and less successful (at least top-15) cyclists during Grand Tours. Different race-derived measures of physical demands (e.g., PO, kJ spent, training stress score, durability and repeatability measures, time in different PO/HR zones) were analyzed. Data from 9 Grand Tours, including 9 Top (average position 3rd, range 1st–5th) and 9 Non-Top cyclists (average position 9th, range 4th–12th) were available. We identified Grand Tours in which we could compare cyclists who had attained a top-5 position (Top) with riders who also competed for the General Classification but attained a worse position (Non-Top, at least top 15). Different race-derived measures of physical demands (e.g., PO, kJ spent, training stress score, durability and repeatability measures, time in different PO/HR zones) were analyzed. Data from 9 Grand Tours, including 9 Top (average position 3rd, range 1st–5th) and 9 Non-Top cyclists (average position 9th, range 4th–12th) were available. Despite significant between-group differences in finishing time (86.2 ± 6.3 vs. 86.3 ± 6.3 h, p < 0.001), no differences were found for any of the analyzed outcomes, except for a slightly higher proportion of time spent at low PO levels (zone 1 (= 55% of functional threshold power)) in Top compared to Non-Top cyclists (60.9% ± 1.8% vs. 58.4% ± 2.5%, respectively, p = 0.011). In summary, achieving a top position during a Grand Tour does not necessarily imply overall higher physical demands compared to those cases in which cyclists attain a slightly lower position, which suggests that other factors (e.g., individual or team tactics) or metrics might have a greater influence.engjournal article10.1111/sms.70074embargoed accessFisiología humanaMedicina deportivaDeporteGoal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages