Revealed: The crazy numbers that turned Jonas Abrahamsen into the most exciting rider of the 2024 Tour de France
Cycling
Jonas Abrahamsen emerged as one of the standout riders during the 2024 Tour de France, captivating fans with his relentless attacking style. Over the first two weeks of the race, he was a near-constant presence in the breakaways and even claimed the polka-dot jersey for a period, highlighting his exceptional climbing efforts. During the off-season, Velo caught up with the Norwegian rider to delve into the details of his intense training regime.
In the first two weeks of December, Abrahamsen and his Uno-X teammates dedicated over 60 hours to training on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria. Each day involved more than four hours of activity, including cycling, gym exercises, and running. While such a workload is standard for WorldTour professionals during the winter months, Abrahamsen’s volume of training went beyond what most riders typically undertake in December.
After returning to Norway, he wasted no time in resuming his training. Over the course of December, his commitment to maintaining high volume was evident. During the first week in Gran Canaria, he accumulated 33 hours and 7 minutes of training. The second week added another 27 hours and 26 minutes. Back in Norway, his indoor training sessions during the third week totalled 22 hours and 23 minutes, followed by 26 hours and 32 minutes in the final week.
A key aspect of Abrahamsen’s approach involved heat training, a method he emphasised even while training indoors. In just 21 days of indoor sessions, he managed to complete 15 heat-focused workouts. Heat training involves exercising in higher temperatures to improve the body’s ability to regulate heat, enhancing endurance and performance in warmer conditions, and this form of preparation is crucial for riders aiming to excel in hot climates or during challenging summer races.
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Strength training also played an important role in Abrahamsen’s winter routine, with exercises such as lunges and squats featuring prominently in his gym sessions. Even during interval training, his performance metrics demonstrated his remarkable fitness level. In one session, he spent 2 hours and 29 minutes on the bike, maintaining an average power of 325 watts (equating to 4.2 watts per kilogram) and a normalised power of 348 watts (4.5 watts per kilogram), with an average heart rate of 132 beats per minute. These eye watering numbers certainly show just what it takes to compete in the Tour de France!
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- I much prefer a race where the riders are less like puppets whose movements are orchestrated by a puppetmaster in a Team Car watching the overall race. I like it when each rider has to figure out what to do on his or her own. Yes, opportunities will be missed as a result, but I rather like to see the results of individual's road racing intelligence as much as their physical prowess. Having all these communications and such between the puppetmasters and the riders eliminates all but the physical prowess.
WheelWoman12-01-2025 - Unfortunately his wish for 2025 is wishful thinking, I think (actually, I’m far more certain than of any cycling results) it will, maybe has to get worse before things can get better. Too many people still think they’ll be ok as long as they keep their head in the sand, it will take a few more big pushes before they realise they too need to make themselves heard. Frankly, a part from rich people probably getting richer, I cannot think of one thing that might improve for anyone in the next few years, those who do will probably look back in disappointment soon.Mistermaumau12-01-2025
- yeah you're 100% correct. Pogacar isn't that far away, on the starting grid. that is the only time this guy will be close to him. they are miles apart. at his age, Pogi was already winning big.mij12-01-2025
- "On the one hand it is a different world, but Pogacar is not that far away either." My not so bold prediction is that he will not beat Pogacar in a single race where Pogi actually tries winningvappaxbipmv11-01-2025
- i get upset by the narrow-mindedness of people, too, mathieu. living in the united states (for a little while longer) i thought we had cornered the market on harsh, judgmental narrow mindedness. mathieu needs a little hug. me, too…OCexile11-01-2025
- so far, the only things i’ve heard about van der poel’s private life are that he appears to like his girlfriend, golf, and sports cars. if the lamborghini isn’t his then i hope one day he gets one all his own if that’s what he wants. i won’t like him any less.OCexile11-01-2025
- exactly... Holm's comment it's just cheap demagoguery.
maria2024202411-01-2025 - the first two commentators got at this already, but the above article has such a sneering tone i think it’s annoying a bunch of us… Living in WARM, SUNNY PLACES is kinda part of being a competitive cyclist. you know, training in winter and stuff? but even if it WASN’T, sheesh… I like and respect wout, too, but not because (let’s imagine) he drives a 1974 chevy vega and lives in belgium year ‘round.OCexile11-01-2025
- I get him completely, you can be great already but still far from what you could (have) achieve(d). Surprises aside, I think resultswise she’ll do just fine in the new team, after all she never really had to rely on one to get them.Mistermaumau11-01-2025
- Surely, Mikel Landa can speak purely will be a good DS in the future after retirement.
James2631811-01-2025