In this episode of the Cycling Science Podcast, Professor Richard Davison speaks with Dr. Fran Oficial Casado of the Universidad de Valencia about pacing in long, mountainous Gran Fondo events. Using data from the Quebrantahuesos race, they discuss why starting too hard early can damage performance later, why lower pacing variability is linked with better results, and what recreational cyclists can learn from endurance research.
Fran shares how his background as a swimmer, triathlete, coach, and researcher led him to study pacing, and he offers practical advice for riders and coaches: start very conservatively, trust perceived effort, and make smarter decisions about when to push and when to hold back.
If you race Gran Fondos or long climbs, this conversation will help you think differently about pacing, fatigue, and strategy.
Reference: Sánchez-Jiménez, J.L., Priego-Quesada, J.I. and Oficial-Casado, F. (2026) ‘Pacing strategies in Gran Fondo cycling: a large-scale analysis of the Quebrantahuesos race’, Sport Sciences for Health, 22(3), p. 236. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-026-01828-0.
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