Power is the currency of cycling performance. Unlike speed, which can be heavily influenced by wind or terrain, power reflects the true effort an athlete produces on the bike. Measuring and estimating cycling power is essential for training smarter, pacing races, and comparing performance across conditions.
Cyclists often measure their performance in watts relative to body weight (W/kg). This metric allows fair comparison across riders of different sizes. For example, a climber might excel with a high W/kg ratio, while a time-trialist benefits more from absolute power combined with aerodynamics. Below is a reference chart of typical power outputs.
| Category | FTP (W/kg) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational Rider | 1.5 β 2.5 | Weekend group rides |
| Amateur Racer | 3.0 β 4.0 | Local races & fondos |
| Elite Amateur | 4.0 β 5.0 | National level |
| Professional | 5.0 β 6.5+ | WorldTour riders |
To put these benchmarks in perspective, here are some recorded or reported power numbers from well-known professional cyclists and triathletes. These values showcase the extraordinary outputs required to compete at the top level of endurance sports.
| Athlete | Discipline | Power Output |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Froome | Grand Tour Climbing | ~6.0 W/kg on long climbs |
| Filippo Ganna | Time Trial | ~450 W for 1 hour |
| Tadej PogaΔar | Tour de France | ~6.5 W/kg in decisive climbs |
| Jan Frodeno | Ironman Triathlon | ~300 W for 4+ hours |