Originally Posted by
topflightpro
I also think 255 is probably a bit high. Take a look at the cumulative six weeks power curve. At 1 hr, Dunbar is right at 200 watts, substantially below the tested 255. That supports the theory that Dunbar has a good ability to use anaerobic power to maintain a higher power output over a shorter interval effort and helps explain why he is having trouble maintaining a conversation during what he describes as moderate efforts.
I think that's likely a product of his training regimen. He's not doing any longer z2/3 rides where he's sitting at, say, 80% of FTP for 90 or 120 minutes with little to zero breaks. I seem to remember he posted that he doesn't ride where he can go non-stop for more than a few minutes at a time, making it really hard to both develop and measure the ability to actually generate steady long-term aerobic power.
Also, and this needs to be said, FTP is nothing more than a point for individual measurement. I have a rather low FTP, but it has not held me back in racing.
I'm pretty much the exact opposite - good power numbers, crappy results.
