STRATEGY
What speed will you need to do to complete the Etape within the time limits?
The analysis below is for a rider starting at the back, and stopping at each food/drink station for 10 minutes.
This year uphill gradients are of three main types:
2% - 2.5% : First part of Isoard, Lauteret
4.5%: Top part of Lautaret
7% to 10%: Top part of Izoard, most of Alpe d’Huez.
There gradients are averaged over several miles. There are steeper bits (11% to 14.5%) where your speed will be lower, and there are gentler bits (there are even down hill sections on most climbs!)
The analysis shows that suitable speeds to just finish in time are:
Flat: 19mph
1%: 15 mph
2% - 2.5%: 11mph – 12 mph
4.5%: 8.3 mph
7% to 10%: 4.7mph – 5 mph
This is a “skin of the teeth” ride!
The figures are based on a 75 kg (12 stone) rider producing 150W of mechanical power.
To finish with a decent margin (nearly 2 hours) starting at the back and stopping for 10 minutes at each food/drink station, speeds would be:
Flat: 21mph
1%: 18 mph
2% - 2.5%: 13mph – 14.5 mph
4.5%: 9 mph
7% to 10%: 6.5 mph (average)
The figures are based on a 75 kg (12 stone) rider producing 200W of mechanical power.
DISCLAIMER: these figures are only estimated, though they are based on scientifically derived data tested out on the road. They may contain inaccuracies, but should give you a quite good idea of the sort of speeds needed to complete the course.
DETAILED ANALYSIS
|
Section |
Length |
Gradient |
150W |
T |
200W |
T |
|
|
|
|
|
7:30am |
|
7:30am |
|
Gap – Embrun
|
21 miles |
flat |
19 mph |
1.1hr |
21 mph |
1 hr |
|
Embrun - Guillestre |
12.7 miles |
0.8% |
15 mph |
0.84 hrs |
18 mph |
0.7 hrs |
|
Guillestre |
|
|
|
9:27am |
|
9:12 |
|
Guillestre |
|
|
|
9:37am |
|
9:22 |
|
Izoard 1st part |
13.4 miles |
2.6% |
11 mph |
1.23 hrs |
13 mph |
1.03 hrs |
|
Izoard 2nd part |
6.6 miles |
7.73% |
5 mph |
1.32 |
6.5 mph |
1.015 hrs |
|
Izoard descent |
12.75 miles |
|
25.5 mph |
0.5 hrs |
25.5 |
0.5 hrs |
|
Briancon |
|
|
|
12:40 am |
|
11:55 am |
|
Briancon |
|
|
|
12:50 am |
|
12:05 am |
|
Lautaret 1st part |
11.3 miles |
2.1% |
12 mph |
0.94 hrs |
14.5 mph |
0.78 hrs |
|
Lautaret 2nd part |
6.5 miles |
4.5% |
8.3 mph |
0.78 hrs |
9 mph |
0.73hrs |
|
Lautaret – Bourg d’Oisans |
24 miles |
|
20 mph |
1.2 hrs |
24 mph |
1 hr |
|
Bourg d’Oissans |
|
|
|
15:45 |
|
14:36 |
|
Bourg d’Oissans |
|
|
|
15:50 |
|
14:46 |
|
Alpe d’huez |
9 miles |
7.6% |
4.7 mph |
1.92 hrs |
6.4 mph |
1.4 hrs |
|
Finish |
|
|
|
17:45 |
|
16:10 |
|
Closes |
|
|
|
18:00 |
|
|
Good luck! Enjoy!