How Important Is FTP To A Professional Cyclist?

Does a high FTP really matter when you are a professional cyclist? GCN investigates

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Ex-Professional cyclists Dan Lloyd and Matt Stephens discuss the different types of cyclists and whether a high FTP really matters to win a bike race.

Climbers such as Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and Nairo Quintana go under the spotlight
As well as Time Trial specialists such as Tony Martin and Fabian Cancellara. Does their extra muscle bulk really put them at a disadvantage?

Can an amateur with a very good FTP make it as a professional cyclist, based on numbers alone?

How about sprinters like Marcel Kittel and Mark Cavendish? Is FTP important to them? or is it all about just having amazing explosive sprinting power? or being able to read a race?

What about riders such as Philippe Gilbert and Greg Van Avermaet, the "puncheurs" of the peloton. Is their ability to push themselves well into the red more than just an FTP number?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below 👇

Watch more on GCN...
How To Improve Your FTP (Functional Threshold Power) 📹 http://gcn.eu/1TaEGDQ
How To Sprint Like Mark Cavendish – Cav's Top 5 Sprinting Tips 📹 http://gcn.eu/sprintlikecav

Photos: © Bettiniphoto / http://www.bettiniphoto.net/ & ©Tim De Waele / http://www.tdwsport.com

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