Adaptation of pedaling rate of professional cyclist in mountain passes

The aim of this study was to analyze the pedaling rate (PR) adopted by professional cyclists in different mountain passes. PR, heart rate (HR), velocity and power to overcome gravity were monitored during special (HM), 1st (M1), 2nd (M2) and 3rd (M3) category mountain passes. HM and M1 within high-mountain stages were classified into mountain passes before the final mountain pass of the stage (M-BF) and mountain passes placed in the final of the stage (M-F). PR was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in M3 (82 +/- 1 rpm) than that in M2 (75 +/- 3 rpm), M1 (75 +/- 2 rpm) and HM (73 +/- 1 rpm). Velocity and power output decreased in the following order: M3, M2, M1 and HM. Also, greater values (P < 0.05) were observed in M-BF (24.1 +/- 0.8 km h(-1) and 308.5 +/- 10.4 W) and in M-F (17.6 +/- 0.9 km h(-1) and 270.1 +/- 9.9 W). In addition, PR was higher (P < 0.05) in M-BF (79 +/- 2 rpm) than that in M-F (73 +/- 1 rpm). In conclusion, PR was modified according to the characteristics and the race strategies adopted by the cyclists, thus the cyclists chose higher PR to improve their performance.