Revealed: The crazy numbers that turned Jonas Abrahamsen into the most exciting rider of the 2024 Tour de France

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.

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!