1. What is Functional Threshold Power (FTP, FTHR) in Cycling?
Functional Threshold Power is the maximum average power you can hold for one hour. FTP in cycling is the most important number where everything begins!
Actually, it is very hard to do this kind of workout, it can be done just by well-trained athletes. Instead, you can do a 20 min test described below.
1.1 Why FTP is so important?
Base on Functional Threshold Power we can build our training plans, set up training zones, work on specific energy systems and easier achieve our goals.
1.2 How long you can hold your FTP?
Very well train athlete can spend even 2 hours around his FTP level. It is good if you can handle 2 x 20 minutes intervals at your Functional Threshold Power. Remember that you can spend just minutes being over your threshold and much longer being below it. That is the way it is so important to increase as high as possible.
1.3 What tells you if someone’s threshold is 250 Watts?
Not much, I would ask what is his/her weight it gives me much more information if I can count his power to weight ratio. Example: Rider 1, FTP 250 Watts weight 63 kg and Rider 2, FTP 290 Watts weight 85 kg.
Rider 1: 3.96 Watts/kilo
Rider 2: 3.41 Watts/kilo
Conclusion: Rider 1 is a good climber but would have a lot of problems with Rider 2 on flat courses, criteriums and at the track.
Don’t always try to get the best power to weight ratio!
It is a very important aspect but not always valuable, depends on the type of cycling you are doing.