Elite versus non-elite cyclist - Stepping up to the international/elite ranks from U23 cycling.

This study investigated the physiological, performance and training characteristics of U23 cyclists and assessed the requirements of stepping up to the elite/international ranks. Twenty highly trained U23 cyclists (age, 22.1 ± 0.8 years; body mass, 69.1 ± 6.8 kg; VO, 76.1 ± 3.9 ml·kg·min) participated in this study. The cyclists were divided into two groups based on whether or not they stepped up to elite/international level cycling (U23 vs. U23). Physiological, performance and training and racing characteristics were determined and compared between groups. U23 demonstrated higher absolute peak power output (p = .016), 2 min (p = .026) 5 min (p = .042) and 12 min (p ≤ .001) power output as well as higher absolute critical power (p = .002). Further, U23 recorded more accumulated hours (p ≤ .001), covered distance (p ≤ .001), climbing metres (p ≤ .001), total sessions (p ≤ .001), total work (p ≤ .001) and scored more UCI points (p ≤ .001). These findings indicate that U23 substantially differed from U23 regarding physiological, performance and training and racing characteristics derived from laboratory and field. These variables should be considered by practitioners supporting young cyclists throughout their development towards the elite/international ranks.