Can I Survive A Mathieu Van Der Poel Training Session?

[@gcn]

Would you give this session a go? 🥵

[@davidwalker98]

Creating. Zwift copy as we speak

[@edudutra]

Seems a nice training.

[@bobfrode]

ill probably die trying 😧

[@ScottyCycles]

Of course

[@prestachuck2867]

Absolutely!

[@jimbrittain2617]

These focused and detailed training-based videos (with Si as the host and discussant) are absolutely brilliant. PLEASE keep these coming. They are great!!!!

[@whatwelearned]

Second

[@gcn]

Awesome, thanks so much! For something similar, you should check out our new film on GCN+ 'How to climb like a pro' 👉 gcn.eu/Climbing

[@lexcollier9487]

Third 😊

[@MrAyorath]

Agree, these are awesome!

[@shepshape2585]

For those of us who have Strava, I think it's important to make notes after these types of rides (or all rides), noting how it felt. Then when you do that same session again, you can compare how you felt on the previous attempts and see if you're making progress. Also, note sleep, food and water as well. Those are really important.

[@gcn]

Great point! Noting how you feel and taking account for sleep, fuel and day to day life is a super important training tool!

[@markhoward1573]

I came straight to the comments as soon as Simon mentioned "Shimano" and "accuracy" in the same sentence and I wasn't disappointed 😂😂😂😂

[@bradrogers2427]

Yeah it's a shame Shimano's power meters are so rubbish, and I say that as a big Shamano fan.

[@andrewmcalister3462]

​@@bradrogers2427Yeah, 1st time round, I could understand. The details of power meters are really hard. But for Shimano not to nail it in the 2nd generation is unforgivable. ☹️

[@markhoward1573]

@@WilfShadow yeah I thought that was a bit odd haha

[@bradrogers2427]

@@andrewmcalister3462 - what's really unforgivable is Shimano bought Pioneer's power meter group, which had a great power meter already.

[@jreitsma]

Comment of the week goes to @markhoward1573. I love GCN.. but to call the Shimano power meter "accurate" is a total sellout.

[@damegan123]

"accurate" & "Shimano Power Meter" were two things I never thought I would see put together in a sentence 😬

[@adambrickley1119]

Is that issues not sorted yet?

[@jeskli11]

“Shimano Power Meters are not accurate.” - there you go.

[@Robin_Hood381]

VDP what a machine, when he pedals off the saddle he reminds me of the t-1000 from Terminator 2.

[@shepshape2585]

Those intervals that simulate answering attacks are really tough. Short sprint effort followed by a sustained effort slightly above ftp, when doing several in a row, can really take it out of your legs.

[@gcn]

Leg busters! Great race practice too though 👀

[@mopedvieh]

"Shimano powermeter" and "accurate readings" in one sentence are somehow strange 😂

[@matthewblue7839]

I understand but think it all relative, 100% accuracy is not the most critical thing: doing the workout is. Out on the road with natural environmental variation, we can never maintain a specific watt target 100% of the time anyway . Using two average watt readings , like 3 second snd 10 second, provide a real time range of watts, you can try to stay within, still hard to do

[@klausbinn777]

@@matthewblue7839 Yeah, ok... 🙄

[@peterdieleman303]

@@matthewblue7839pro teams are definitely annoyed by the inaccuracies and troubles of the shimano powermeter offering

[@aarondcmedia9585]

@@matthewblue7839 lol nope. wtf are you on about. If the power meter is not accurate you are not training anywhere near where you need to.

[@chrisdavidson911]

are there any which actually are accurate?

[@gwhite7011]

Also in the UK, as witnessed by this video, it doesn't matter how quiet and tiny the road is, there is always an irate motorist behind you

[@2011hwalker]

the roads are laughably narrow, so glad I left the UK-far too dense an island and pathetic wages that keep everyone but landowners poor.

[@willbaren]

Training makes you better and talent makes you who you are. This was a fascinating insight into MVDP’s training load. Cheers.

[@oumtaha3834]

Yes i do

[@rachelharvey71]

Great content love how Si shows the thrill you can getting from training and pushing yourself thanks GCN

[@CatManDoSocial]

Great video. Si is always excellent to watch. I have to admit that I feel the same about VDP that Si does. I've been watching cycling for over 30 years and he's by far my favorite rider to watch in any discipline. I really miss his presence in the MTB World Cups this year. As others have mentioned here, DC Rainmaker and many others have repeatedly shown that Shimano power meters continue to be inaccurate, so I wonder if the Shimano riders are doing something in addition to them on the sly. I can't imagine that type of inaccuracy would be acceptable to those teams. It's so strange that a precision company like Shimano continues to put out such an inaccurate product for multiple years. I just don't get it. Update: @iMadrid11 below mentioned that DC Rainmaker saw that some Shimano teams will use a 4iiii left crank arm. I had forgotten about that. Makes sense.

[@SR77SR]

Wait Si's FTP is 350W? I know hes a former pro but that's still really a lot. Good for you Si

[@gcn]

Not bad for a 40 year-old 😉

[@rejimol567]

Guys wts FTP

[@SR77SR]

@@gcn that's what they call "old man strength" i guess 😂

[@Daniel-ov5bd]

@@rejimol567 Functional threshold power The Average power that you can hold for an hour. It Gives you a baseline on how strong you are but you also have to account for weight. A 70kg rider with a 250w FTP will generally perform better (all things being equal) than a 100kg rider with a 300w FTP Especially when climbing hills even though the Heavier rider can put out more raw watts

[@philipk4475]

He was at about 390W during his peak years from what I gathered from some of the older videos.

[@matthewpodmore1823]

always a happy day when new content from GCN - especially like this one!!

[@oliverc1293]

Well presented. Impressive to comment on the session during, as Si did. He's good at his job.

[@dhldt1021]

I tried it. I did the warm up, 4 x primers, then 2 sets of 30 on, 2 minutes lower intensity, 30 off. It was great. But I couldn't get through the standing efforts for the 30 seconds on, that was just too much for my legs, so I did those mostly seated. But overall, a great workout. I'll try again later in the week.

[@oceanedetotes]

Hello, Is it just (I'm not sure to well understand what he said) : 30s at 50% sprint FTP 2min at 10% 30s pause 30s at 50% sprint FTP 2min at 10% 30s pause That's not hard isn't it ?

[@dhldt1021]

@@oceanedetotes 30 seconds at 150% FTP, 2 minutes at probably around 120% (maybe in reality 100/110) then 30 seconds off, then repeat. After the repeat, take at least one to two minute recovery and go again.

[@Dramboli]

Did this intervall today, was survivable because of it‘s lenght, but still hard

[@dhldt1021]

Great video Simon, this is a great set. Looking forward to some good weather soon to get outdoors

[@rockmetalpunk96]

LOL the editors forgot to edit the description

[@HonourAmongThieves]

The joys of being early 😂🎉

[@jjbuckets032]

😂😂😂

[@akshayeakki]

😅

[@fritsjacobs8280]

They also forgot to mention Shimano is in a bit of trouble with their power meters being some of the most inconsistent in the industry at the moment.

[@pigupigu]

​@@fritsjacobs8280I'd rather go buy a Magene or Favero with my own money than use a sponsored shimano one if i was a pro hahaha

[@Yuzushuu]

Great video Si! In the dead of winter in Australia, I'd fallen off the bandwagon for structured training, but this has inspired me to pick it up again tomorrow :)

[@matthewblue7839]

Try Training Peaks !!

[@gcn]

That's great to hear! Is there anything you're working towards?

[@alpsalish]

​@@matthewblue7839training peaks. Tell me more about what you use and how it has differed for you. Genuinely curious.

[@Yuzushuu]

@bryanharrison6779 Oof, constant rain is brutal! I'm in Canberra so not too rainy, but gets arctic in the mornings/evenings..

[@Yuzushuu]

​@@gcn hmm not too sure yet, might start with an FTP test today see where I'm at, then work towards my first gravel race in Spring..

[@douglaspate9314]

That was fantastic. Technical and scientific. Not a zip tie in sight

[@Hitzu99]

Simon you are a beast! Great vid, thanks for the insight.

[@gcn]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it

[@jodaefauser2911]

Brilliant video - DANKE and regards from Germany

[@KetzalSterling]

Accurate power from a Shimano power meter... "If paid, we will shill any lies" GCN the home of honest equipment discussion.

[@hzunasdfgbciw]

It's weird that no Shimano sponsored WC team uses the Dura Ace crank. Their PM seems to be the same tech as 4iii or stages, which are both quite accurate.

[@ollierrides]

This is cool, I think next time try and incorporate some kind of Watt display to see what the rider is doing for viewers.

[@Whistler4u]

MvdP did this in the TdF stage up the Tourmalet. Drove the grupetto crazy.

[@ANONyme-xt4vb]

Shimano power meters are notoriously inaccurate.

[@jorjoebank8620]

Accurate enough to be used by Pogacar and Mvdp....

[@krisbowditch827]

The Little chain ring power data is scewed in testing

[@markairey1986]

@@jorjoebank8620 I would speculate that isn't through choice and due to sponsorship! They are well known to be horrifically inaccurate!

[@iMadrid11]

@@markairey1986DC Rainmaker shown some teams buy a left crank arm power meter from Stages or 4iiii. In order to be sponsorship complaint with Shimano. They just disable the Shimano power meter and use the left crank arm to get power data.

[@CatManDoSocial]

@@iMadrid11 That's right. I forgot that Ray said that.

[@kevina8187]

Great video. I want to give a shout-out to my coach at CINCH Coaching here in CO, US. They do an amazing job of implementing adaptation methodology to their programs and it’s done wonders for me this season. One of the best points Si made was about how your workouts don’t need to leave you feeling destroyed at the end. They can be controlled to optimize adaptation but leave you ready to repeat your exertion level for the entire week or month-long block.

[@Stue007]

Si, always the best.- super presented, thanks a lot!!

[@alexflorance1111]

Si wheezing his lungs off after each effort- what a trooper

[@TonInter]

Great video as usual, but that music, wow. Pity it's midnight, otherwise it got me so pumped that I want to go for a spin!

[@gcn]

We claim no responsibility for making you want to ride... Ok we take some responsibility! 😉

[@alinapopescu872]

The state of those roads gives me hope.

[@criptoniite7852]

They use Shimano powermeter ? You perhaps meant power estimators :/

[@DiabloManiacz]

The interval training is bit like running then. Push for extreme power (140% ftp) for periods to get used to higher power levels and slowly rise the ftp. 500W is crazy power for an older lightweight guy.

[@zootykins]

Really good video! Coach Tom Verhaegen mentioned balancing 3 main components - training, recovery and nutrition. Would be good to get more information on Recovery/Rests and Nutrition!!

[@Joseph-ns2pl]

Love the roads by Tintern!

[@mjokffsgfjs]

Shimano Powermeters, are accurately inaccurate.

[@lexcollier9487]

World champion good work man

[@snowscoutcycling9536]

Love the automatic subtitles @04:44 ... "Vietnam X"-Training. Fits good to the session. 😂

[@JSC131]

Great video Si again and the Wye Valley is beautiful place to ride your bike.

[@gcn]

We love the Wye! Very lucky to have it our doorstep 🗺

[@Sai-tb1xt]

a new GCN video in my feed is a instaclick! heard si say "shimano" "accurate power meter" , had to stop the video and go straight to the comments XD

[@Sai-tb1xt]

damn.. si is still a machine! and even more impressive: after 2 of those sets he is still making jokes , he had me laughing at his "BOOM"

[@MrYorrik]

Brilliant video and very motivational, thank you. Great to show that the principals behind training and some specific training sessions can work all the way from the lofty heights of MVP, down a little bit to Si, and all the way down to someone a bit older and slower like me :D

[@gcn]

The numbers change but the ideas remain the same. Great to hear you are enjoying some structured training, do you fancy giving this one a try?

[@MrYorrik]

@@gcn Been adding some structure to my training and noticed the benefits but still in the realm of structured-ish, so will try to add a few more disciplined sessions That one looks great but feels like it’s a mental challenge to commit to it.👍

[@jorismak]

Someone forgot the description template :)

[@johncastle5342]

Thanks Si and GCN for this one. I was lying in the recovery position watching this after a boy's weekend in Spain and it inspired me to go and do a Zwift session. Even though it was more of an out of body experience I now feel a million times better 👍🏻

[@gcn]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@damu6678]

I know GCN needs to make money but it's disappointing that you're selling a power meter (Shimano) to your viewers without covering that the power meter is one of the most inaccurate and unstable on the market (see DCRainmaker or GPLama who are very respected in the industry)

[@peterleffler2062]

Well I'd guess that if DCrainmaker or GPlama offer GCN the use of their shiny goodies then GCN will make a video with their kit. Obvs really, and it's not like there's a shortage of comments on the downside of Shimano power meters so no one is being duped. Caveat emptor applies to all purchases.

[@EnricoBertot93]

Are the following intervals the correct ones? 🙋‍♂️ Warm up: 4x 30" 140% FTP 30" 60% FTP Intervals 4x: 30" 150% FTP 2' 110% FTP 30" recovery 30" 150% FTP 2' 110% FTP 5/10' recovery before next interval

[@dylanrobertson5010]

simon loves a bit of sharp training pain. thats why he went pro.

[@oranjetoeters1]

Tried doing the intervals described here on zwift. Was gone after 3 reps 😂

[@XavierHipolito]

It would be great showing the numbers of the training session!

[@michaelc1280]

First time I did this I thought it was pretty easy. However, as my FTP increases, it has gotten much harder and I use it weekly as part of my interval training. Great workout.

[@koenvanhamme]

Some very important takeaways regarding training sessions for all of us endurance athletes.

[@iMadrid11]

😂 everyone knows Shimano power meters are the worst. DC Rainmaker and GP Lama have proven Shimano as highly inaccurate. 4iiii and Stages offering of the same Shimano crank power meters is more accurate than Shimano made power meter. GCN as always shilling for the sponsors.

[@mattwood2612]

Simons 30 second recovery is amazing between each interval, hardly out of breath and can really speak normally or there is so much video editing going on. I'd rather see Si breathing out of his arse and not be able to speak in the 30 second recovery to get a true reflection of his effort. 🤣

[@richardmiddleton7770]

That's only after the first half of the interval. It's also nowhere near a full sprint and settling to only 105% for only 2 more minutes. It's hard but you shouldn't be fully 'gassed'.

[@aye-up4324]

The same white van, at the start of intervals 2,3 and 4 😉😅

[@cruzanbum3108]

Can’t train like a pro unless you can recover like one but interesting nonetheless…

[@gcn]

Why not learn more about training with our new film on GCN+ 'How to climb like a pro' 👉 gcn.eu/Climbing

[@rebinu]

excuses....

[@shanewilson8795]

I'm brand new to cycling, how good are these guys that run this channel? I'm rehabbing from an ankle injury in ultimate frisbee and was told to cycle, so here I am!

[@joshschrader4732]

You look awesome Si! Slim and trim - great work dude

[@michaeloneill5824]

you're a character mate. Love your vids

[@jw3638]

I thought the Shimano power meters weren't as accurate

[@marcvb3364]

They aren't, it's just an Ad

[@ronaldvb3663]

Apparently accurate enough to become world champion.

[@marcvb3364]

Most teams, even the ones sponsored by Shimano, don't use them, if you look colsely at the bikes. @@ronaldvb3663

[@ChrisCapoccia]

The only reason they're using Shimano power meter is sponsorship. Otherwise they would pick a power meter for accuracy instead of picking a notoriously inaccurate one

[@jdwyer2685]

Great insight into MvDP's training, I'd love to know his 140% FTP 📈I'm going to watch the Poggi again now. 👌

[@philipb.1950]

600-650

[@derx6666]

Too bad that those Shimano crank powermeters are quite inaccurate.

[@caskinfg]

08:05 I winced when you said, "4 more seconds of recovery" while breathing like that

[@djbayr9516]

I'm loving the music choice of late.

[@XhristinaMacey]

Come on guys too many adverts

[@iancollins6104]

Nice work training with hairy legs for extra drag. Good plan chap.

[@UFloridaGator]

What was the time rest between the 4 sessions, and before entéricos those 4 sessions? And how much was the riding before starting that workout?

[@NikolausLim]

Newbie with only 6 years of cycling here. I've been following TdF and other GTs and bike races for years now on Eurosport and TdF official KZbin channel (and of course GCN Racing). Don't understand why there are still some people accusing riders of taking "this and that substances" in the comment section. We don't know that (yet). I think regular viewers of GCN still remember how rubbish Ollie was (sorry Ollie...your word not mine), getting dropped, etc. Then lately he's been such a inspiration. Climbing here and there, trying to break some records, riding TT. He even shared his casually training program a while a go. If Ollie ,who has a day job, traveling here and there to make videos, can improve like that, imagine what pro cyclists with more than 20 hours/week structured training like this, closely monitored nutrition, and jv world class performance coaches, can do. And I've watched TdF Unchained...Nothing but respect to them...

[@jnitros]

MVDP is a beast! Wow!

[@HeibesHealth]

I will always contend that structured training is the way to get faster. My FTP went from 2.8 w/kg to 3.4 w/kg between April 2022 and now by adding structured training. It’s no wonder he’s so quick. LoL.

[@gcn]

Getting fitter is not any easy task! Structured training is a great way to start building yourself up. Put in the hard work and you'll be rewarded!

[@jonmathias6159]

I still don't get why people refer to "structured" training in cycling. ANY training has to be structured. I lift as well as cycle, so I track exercises, weights and reps. If you don't set targets and track progress, are you actually training?

[@HeibesHealth]

@@jonmathias6159 I think the reason for referring to it as “structured” training is because there’s such a thing as “unstructured” training which in the cycling world is going out for a random ride and not trying to hit certain watt targets or RPE for a set amount of time. With structured training, for an example, you’re going to do something like six 6-minute intervals at 120% of your FTP with a 2-minute recovery in between. That’s going to drive more change than not having a plan and just riding your bike with watts all over the place. I agree that it’s not necessarily “training” if you’re not structuring anything. That’s also why you’ll see people weightlifting at the gym aimlessly and don’t make as much progress as they could if they had some structure. It still can do something, but they’re not getting the most bang for their buck, so to speak.

[@endokrin7897]

So, training is the way to get faster? Structured training is even better at making you faster? Can you explain?

[@ElouanGardon]

“Shimano Power-meters” Just use the little ring😂 Love the rest of the Shimano drivetrain though.

[@RK01]

Really enjoying these training videos Si is doing. Shimano power meters don’t have a good rep though!

[@gcn]

Glad you enjoyed it! For some more training content, why not check out our 'How to climb like a pro' film on GCN+ 👉 gcn.eu/Climbing

[@Jsenap1]

Agree- they are universally considered the most inaccurate of all PMs!

[@tymanski1]

great vid, chapeau Si. remember kids to use an accurate pm, so steer clear of Shimano ;)

[@waywardchildcyclist]

No way MVDP passed me on Col de Rates earlier this year it was like a train over taking me and my lungs were dragging in the ground

[@whatwelearned]

I hate to say this but this was another vid BEGGING for Si's mullet and 'tache

[@nikitasapozhnikov2449]

Insightful! Many thanks

[@theodyce]

Great video (ps. You might want to check your description. I think someone forgot to write it)

[@dominicbritt]

Training isn’t always necessarily hard - effective training is specific to your own abilities and this VO2 session is nothing special - but it is effective. If you know your ftp, you can do it as well, and it will feel the same for you as it does for VanderPoel

[@gcn]

Feeling the same pain as VDP ... Love it 🙌

[@dominicbritt]

@@gcn absolutely - it’s all relative to your ftp - at 220W i suffer as much as MVdP doing 470W 😎 That’s what ftp means.

[@philipk4475]

Not entirely true. A rider like VDP will recover faster from these hard intervals than you will, be able to do more of them, and will feel better after the session than you will. Also, VDP is clearly very gifted anaerobically (as opposed to Van Aert, for example, who is better aerobically), and therefore will have less difficulty in producing (and producing repeatedly) efforts above FTP. In summary: FTP by itself is not sufficient to capture a rider's abilities.

[@zwtvchannel]

@@dominicbrittyeah not really.

[@sepg5084]

​@@zwtvchannelcan't prove anything anyway, suffering is subjective

[@metpham]

beast mode

[@martintomes8682]

Structured training sessions are for me so fun and moti(watt)ing :-D But hardest things comes with sustaining in that mod for periods. It is soo hard to keep moral strongness and motivation for doing this. I´m not competitting because of steing out of high risc of hurtness. My job and familly life is depanding from my health. In case if I miss some of trainings in row and tryeing to get back to trainig mod, this is for me hardest thing on the globe. Mental setup must be in balance with physical condition should responds to momental level of fitness. Otherways I´m risking of injury. In love wiht cycling!

[@nguyenho9591]

“Shimano power meter to accurately measure”. Bruh…..

[@HristoMitev123]

Are Si’s glasses getting bigger or is his head getting smaller?

[@gcn]

Both

[@username8644]

Pretty much just implementing training methods used in track and field, and swimming, etc. Except that you know exactly how much effort you are putting out compared to running being a lot more guess work as you use time to complete a certain distance instead of power output.

[@tahirsaid6993]

You are super fit. Kudos.

[@stuartsimpson-smith6140]

I used to be heavily into mtb back in the day. I’ve always wanted to try Road ( been watching the TDR since Indurain but have been apprehensive/ not confident in skinny tyres. I’m 42 now, still super fit and want to finally give it a go before it’s too late. Lots of Road riders on here so do any of you have any useful advice? I used to race DH on a GT LTS…..that’s how long it’s been!

[@gcn]

It's never too old to get into road riding, Great to hear that you want to take the plunge and join the correct team 😉 This video on keeping fitness at an older age might be the one for you 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXTJopqkm9SJjbs - Joining a local club might also be a great way of meeting like minded riders 🙌

[@stuartsimpson-smith6140]

@@gcn Thanks for the advice GCN. Keep up the great work 👌

[@stbny4444]

For me wasn’t too bad. Either because I didn’t add enough volume before the ride or I need to do another ftp test.

[@jdes5016]

After watching Si do it, I am too buggered to try it! ;-)

[@jonathanzappala]

Shimano power meters accurately measure power… lol.

[@elliotbain8260]

accurately monitor with a shimano pm lol

[@Yethegains]

Hi Si, you said cadence was really important, but didn't specify much after that. Was there any specific cadence for the 30secs and 2minute bits? Also, was there a rest interval between the primers and then between the 4 primers and the 1st set? Thanks so much!

[@thehandleiwantedwasntavailable]

Keep in mind this training plan is focused on the needs of the cyclist. Train to how you ultimately ride. Sure, intervals help boost your baseline, however don’t wreck yourself when training if you don’t wreck yourself when ‘riding’.

[@pelmers]

sunglasses are distractingly reflective 🤣 what kind are they?

[@stianpollestad754]

LOL "Like a x-mas cracker as supposed to a missile" :D

[@matthewblue7839]

Great job: thx for posting, could you post the profile or its elements in point form ?

[@philipk4475]

Wait, the graphic shows 30s at 140% and then 2 mins at 105%, but the coach says 30s at 150% and 2m at 110%...

[@diver3515]

The coach explains making power reductions at 16:00. Si probably took a reduction so it was easier to commentate during the recoveries.

[@impaledface7694]

Interesting how many keypoints are similar to lifting weights, or I presume training for other sports. Seemed to be a sustainable way of training. it's a balance for sure and going overboard on one session messes you up for the next. Back in the day I remember just the cadence meters, but the power meter is a huge step above.

[@markmitchenall5948]

What a weapon!

[@L333ENG]

Shazam’d the music during the High Intensity: Backseat Rider by Lupus Nocte 🔉🎧 Tune

[@L333ENG]

And Revenant by Heyson for the 2nd track

[@zaahierstanley955]

Come on GCN! Using Shimano power meter to accurately monitor ? You know the Meyer is not accurate and we see some world tour riders using Shimano cranks with asioma pedals for that very reason

[@razorcat1370]

Is it 6min total per set, 5-10min break, then repeat 4 times? How could times be more than 2 hours? More than an hour warmup/cooldown?