AMSTEL VS LIÈ E

Josu Larrazabal, head of performance at Trek-Segafredo, looks over the data of Ardennes rider Tsgabu Grmay to assess the di iculty of the two races Both races are characterised by a long sequence of climbs and hard e forts. Key e forts at Amstel aren’t longer than ive minutes – but at Liège it’s 10. This is the main di ference between cobbled Classics riders who can climb strongly for up to ive minutes, and do well at Amstel, and the climbers. It means riders who succeed at Liège will be stronger, punchier climbers. The longer climbs make the race steadier with less time at peaks of over 7w/kg and high cadence, but more time is spent over 90 per cent of maximum heart rate.