Updated June 11, 2026 04:45AM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Remco Evenepoel<\/a> just shared his functional threshold power, and it\u2019s huge. It\u2019s also remarkably similar to that of his Tour de France<\/a> foe Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/a>.<\/p>\n Functional threshold power, or FTP, is the output a rider can theoretically hold for an hour. It\u2019s used to set power zones for training and gives easily comparable bragging rights over buddies.<\/p>\n Evenepoel leaked his \u201cmagic number\u201d on Wednesday \u2013 it\u2019s around 425 watts. At an estimated 64kg, that\u2019s 6.6W\/kg.<\/p>\n According to our recent analysis<\/a>, Poga\u010dar\u2019s FTP is in the range of 420-440W \u2013 for King Pog, that calculates to around 6.7W\/kg.<\/p>\n To point out the obvious \u2013 that\u2019s a lot of watts. Try to pedal that hard on your indoor trainer for a few seconds, we dare you.<\/p>\n But what does that mean in the context of the Tour de France?<\/p>\n Is Remco on par with Pogi ahead of the Big Show?<\/p>\n Can the Belgian top the Tour\u2019s Big 4<\/a> and bring Red-Bull Bora-Hansgrohe its much-wanted maillot jaune<\/em>?<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what we can learn from Evenepoel\u2019s rare data reveal \u2013 and if we can really learn anything at all.<\/p>\n Evenepoel shared his data during a\u00a0YouTube video<\/a> he shared to his channel Wednesday.<\/p>\n The 23-minute film was recorded during a trip to the Teide volcano and provides a rare glimpse into a pro altitude camp.<\/p>\n It features all the expected vlogging fluff \u2013 caf\u00e9 stops, gratuitous bike shots, wholesome \u201cbanter\u201d with staff, and a bad soundtrack.<\/p>\n The juicy part is the workout.<\/p>\n Evenepoel takes us behind the scenes of a 4.5-hour training ride punctuated by an onslaught of threshold intervals.<\/p>\n For those who want to know, the protocol is 1 x 15\u2019, 2 x 12\u2019, 1 x 10\u2019, 2 x 8\u2019. Ouch.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a key climbing workout designed to harden Evenepoel\u2019s legs for the long climbs of the Tour de France, an area where he\u2019s repeatedly shown weakness.<\/p>\n Evenepoel\u2019s outgoing trainer Dan Lorang \u2013 who is set to leave Red Bull for Lidl-Trek<\/a> \u2013 makes a cameo role in the segment.<\/p>\n Lorang takes lactate readings with a portable pinprick analyzer while Evenepoel gasps for air after various intervals. The trainer explains after two of Evenepoel\u2019s efforts that his blood lactate is around 3.5-3.6mmol.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s perfect,\u201d Lorang says after one of the readings. \u201c420 watts would be under threshold, at 425 we are somewhere there when we\u2019re talk about these longer efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n FTP, revealed.<\/p>\n Lactate testing is the gold-standard method for calculating power zones and dialing in workout intensity.<\/a><\/p>\n The 20-minute tests or ramp protocol you\u2019re fed by at-home training apps are only approximations.<\/p>\n The correlation between power output and lactate levels is slightly different for all athletes. Repeat testing and expert interpretation is typically needed for an athlete to understand their unique power-lactate curve.<\/p>\n However for all athletes, LT2 \u2013 or approximately FTP \u2013 typically sits at a blood lactate concentration of around 3.5-4.5mmol.<\/p>\n This allows us to assume Evenepoel\u2019s second lactate threshold is around 425W.<\/p>\n For comparison, our data sleuth Zach Nehr has repeatedly estimated<\/a> Poga\u010dar\u2019s FTP to be around 420-440W.<\/p>\n We can also derive Evenepoel\u2019s Zone 2 power from what\u2019s shared in the video.<\/p>\n Standard FTP-based training models put Zone 2 at between 60-75% of functional threshold output. In which case, we can theorize Evenepoel\u2019s all-day Z2 pace is between 255-320W.<\/p>\n And what\u2019s Poga\u010dar\u2019s Zone 2 power?<\/p>\n He explicitly said in a podcast with Peter Attia<\/a> in autumn 2024 that his top-end Z2 is 320-340W.<\/p>\n So, some rudimentary analysis suggests Poga\u010dar and Evenepoel have similar power outputs.<\/p>\n But in reality, the comparison is futile, and extrapolating a meaning to the 2026 Tour de France is pointless.<\/p>\n What we understand of Poga\u010dar\u2019s wild wattages is based on a now-outdated interview and a single Strava upload from February.<\/p>\n Likewise, Evenepoel\u2019s video was filmed several months ago \u2013 the last time he was known to be on Teide was March. And more to the point, it\u2019s possible to pick many holes in the assumptions made about his thresholds.<\/p>\n Even if the estimates of FTP and zone 2 are valid, they don\u2019t mean masses in the wider context of a race.<\/p>\n The Tour de France is now defined by the repeatability of peak outputs \u2013 aka durability. Basic training zones don\u2019t reflect an athlete\u2019s ability after four hours of racing and 4,000m of climbing.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, Evenepoel has previously cited his ability to hold Poga\u010dar\u2019s explosive 3-5 minute power as his ultimate kryptonite<\/a>. A similar FTP does not guarantee similar performances across shorter efforts.<\/p>\n What\u2019s maybe more interesting is why Evenepoel chose to share his data.<\/p>\n It\u2019s increasingly rare for WorldTour pros to publish their numbers. Athletes seldom post their rides to Strava, and the majority who do keep their wattages on lock.<\/p>\n A data reveal is sometimes due to user error.<\/p>\n However, these rare insights are sometimes considered to be an athlete purposefully broadcasting a message.<\/p>\n Mathieu van der Poel said he broke silence on his power numbers this spring after the E3 Saxo Classic to prove his efforts to doubters.<\/p>\n Poga\u010dar\u2019s power \u201cleak\u201d to Strava this February will also have been made with some intention.<\/p>\n Was there a message behind Evenepoel\u2019s very open discussion of his FTP?<\/p>\nEvenepoel\u2019s Tour de France threshold session<\/h2>\n
Evenepoel vs. Poga\u010dar<\/h2>\n
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Context is key<\/h2>\n
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Why share the data, anyway?<\/h2>\n
![\"Evenepoel\"](\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2269011418.jpg?width=2048&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover\"\/)