"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Wattage of Backstedt

A recent interview of Magnus Backstedt at interbike led to a few revelations on a pro's wattage...

Referring to sprinting

VN: What kind of wattage are you putting out when you do that?

MB: Full sprint? After a 200k ride about 1900 watts. Fresh, basically going out training and ten minutes into a ride doing a full kick when I'm going well over 2000.

VN: Wow, is that for one reading or is that for a couple seconds?

MB: We're talking probably the best part of two seconds at least.

VN: Wow, no wonder they have to stiffen the bottom bracket. That's a lot of torquing right there.

and then later when asked about his longer term power...


VN: Well, thanks for your time, we...

One more question. What's your wattage for like, a half an hour? Our readers want to hear that.

MB: (laughs) A half hour? I generally do...a twenty minute ride, I average about 535.


I have searched the net and he is listed as 6'3" and between 90 and 94 kilos (198 ad 207 lbs). Just thought someone might be interested.

535 is about what I estimated leipheimer averaged for the TOC prologue.

A recent interview of Magnus Backstedt at interbike led to a few revelations on a pro's wattage...

Referring to sprinting


and then later when asked about his longer term power...



I have searched the net and he is listed as 6'3" and between 90 and 94 kilos (198 ad 207 lbs). Just thought someone might be interested.

Its quite a useless stupid answer by him. 2 seconds? What an idiot. His 5 second avg would drop quickly to about 1500 (end of race) and 1600 fresh....his 15-25 second avg would be far further down again (similar to what Zabel was refering too...around 1200-1300 watts tops).

I like Zabel - he speaks in real terms. Only a d$%khead would run around quoting airy fairy 1-2 second wattage to the press.

Doesn't matter. 535 is close to double my watts for twenty minutes. Allen/Coggan's chart is on crack.

I'd hang with him for about 12-13 minutes on a climb...

At least I weigh 25% less. So I might be able to hang for five.

WTF.....the only thing I can say is I bet I could kick his ass in a bar fight.....

Its quite a useless stupid answer by him. 2 seconds? What an idiot. His 5 second avg would drop quickly to about 1500 (end of race) and 1600 fresh....his 15-25 second avg would be far further down again (similar to what Zabel was refering too...around 1200-1300 watts tops).

I like Zabel - he speaks in real terms. Only a d$%khead would run around quoting airy fairy 1-2 second wattage to the press.

I agree. A power reading is probably not going to be accurate over just one or 2 seconds because the crank speed, w (P=T*W) can not be well established within such a small period, especially if there are accelerations when sprinting. Unless his meter has a sample rate >20Hz or so, those numbers mean nothing. does anyone know the sample rates of power meters?

Disregarding the speed component of the power, it does indicate he can produce some ridiculous torque (its measurement is not time dependent). But then again he weighs 95 kilos, and needs every bit of that power to push him toward the finish line.

200 Hz for the SRM and 60-70 Hz for the PT.

I'm surprised that there's so much distaste. It's not like he's quoting "off the chart" numbers for his size. I mean, c'mon - he's 90+ kg. Sheer gravity of that weight is going to push the numbers up. Even if his 5 second power was 1900, @ 90kg we're still talking low domestic pro based on track sprinters. But if it's only 2 seconds, then his 5 second is probably down in the 1700 range at best, pretty far down the chart when we're talking pro riders in w/kg.

I'm more impressed with the 535 watts for his 2x20's. Yeowch. Interestingly it's just shy of the "magic number" of 6 w/kg if he's 90kg.

I agree, those numbers are impressive and believable. Looking at a power chart, if the data is continuous, there's nothing wrong with pulling out a 2-second sample. The crank cadence will also be continuous, and reasonable, over 15s.

According to kreuzotter he would need 535 watts to keep up with me on a climb, I can do 375 watts for 20 minutes on my road bike while fresh up a climb. 8% grade for him to average 11.6 mph like I did he would need 540 watts.

I also weigh 133lbs @ 6'.

200 Hz for the SRM and 60-70 Hz for the PT.

Those are the sample rates for torque. Rotational velocity is sampled once per revolution (reed switch).

According to kreuzotter he would need 535 watts to keep up with me on a climb, I can do 375 watts for 20 minutes on my road bike while fresh up a climb. 8% grade for him to average 11.6 mph like I did he would need 540 watts.

I also weigh 133lbs @ 6'.


Is that according to kreuzotter, or according to your PT/SRM?

According to kreuzotter he would need 535 watts to keep up with me on a climb, I can do 375 watts for 20 minutes on my road bike while fresh up a climb. 8% grade for him to average 11.6 mph like I did he would need 540 watts.

I also weigh 133lbs @ 6'.

You're a stick. Or Rasmussen...

Is that according to kreuzotter, or according to your PT/SRM?

PT gave me the power average.

You're a stick. Or Rasmussen...

Nah, I'm not a skinny as Rasmussen.

PT gave me the power average.


You need to start doing mountainous stage races. ASAP.

You will blow the doors off of everyone in the 3s if you are putting out 6w/kg for 20min...

According to kreuzotter he would need 535 watts to keep up with me on a climb, I can do 375 watts for 20 minutes on my road bike while fresh up a climb. 8% grade for him to average 11.6 mph like I did he would need 540 watts.

I also weigh 133lbs @ 6'.

If that is accurate (and true) than those are pro level numbers and you will be 2 then 1 in no time if you know how to race and race frequently.

Nah, I'm not a skinny as Rasmussen.

You sound like a poster-child for an eating disorder ;)

133 lbs @ 6': "I'm not as skinny as..."

If that is accurate (and true) than those are pro level numbers and you will be 2 then 1 in no time if you know how to race and race frequently.


Or, just go for a ride with a local Pro or Cat1, show them what you're made of, and they can upgrade you to the 2s.

Its quite a useless stupid answer by him. 2 seconds? What an idiot. His 5 second avg would drop quickly to about 1500 (end of race) and 1600 fresh....his 15-25 second avg would be far further down again (similar to what Zabel was refering too...around 1200-1300 watts tops).

How is 2s meaningless? 2s power is the difference between getting on a wheel as it comes by and fighting to catch it.

Or are you saying that it's not an accurate measure? I don't see how you need a 40 samples of the crank to get a usable number. Every time it comes around you know how far it's moved in how long. If you have tourque at 200hz you can get average power for that rotation pretty easily. Taking 4 points above 1900 then seems pretty reasonable.

Only a d$%khead would run around quoting airy fairy 1-2 second wattage to the press.

True Dat :rolleyes:

Or, just go for a ride with a local Pro or Cat1, show them what you're made of, and they can upgrade you to the 2s.

**** they'll be recruiting him for their team to be their climbing specialist!

You need to start doing mountainous stage races. ASAP.

You will blow the doors off of everyone in the 3s if you are putting out 6w/kg for 20min...

I do well in mountains stage races, but that ride only gave me 7th in the uphill TT, Thad Dulin(jittery joes) beat me by over 3 minutes. IDK they guy who's powertap it was hasn't been having any trouble with it I know of but maybe the number was off, its only the second time i've ridden a powertap.

I read somewhere that Boonens 5sec power was ~1600 at the end of a race.

I read somewhere that Boonens 5sec power was ~1600 at the end of a race.

I would have to guess that Boonens 5 sec power is higher than that even if he is totally dead tired.

You need to start doing mountainous stage races. ASAP.

You will blow the doors off of everyone in the 3s if you are putting out 6w/kg for 20min...

Does this mean I should aim for 600 watts for 20 minutes?:)

Does this mean I should aim for 600 watts for 20 minutes?:)

Yes, if you have an Ergomo.

Yes, if you have an Ergomo.

the iBike will let you do 700 watts....tru' dat

I do well in mountains stage races, but that ride only gave me 7th in the uphill TT, Thad Dulin(jittery joes) beat me by over 3 minutes. IDK they guy who's powertap it was hasn't been having any trouble with it I know of but maybe the number was off, its only the second time i've ridden a powertap.

I read somewhere that Boonens 5sec power was ~1600 at the end of a race.

I heard about 1800 W for Robbie.

I would have though Magnus would have been well over 2000. Considering his weight he'd need 2400 to sprint with Robbie-and Magnus is a good enough sprinter that he occaisionally betters Robbie so I'd have expected at least 2200 W.

Regardless of he used his 2 second power wattage or his 20 minute measuremnts, the fact is he is a professional cyclist that has won probaly one of the most prestigious classics on earth. Paris Roubaix as we know and as Hincapie knows, is no small feat to win so regardless whatever number he may spout out in a quick interview, no one on this forum has or will beat him in a race remotely resembling a Protour race. Those numbers are impressive and the fact that he has results to back them up prooves that numbers dont necessarily make you a winner. I have a good friend whom got to ride with him alot on the cobbles of Roubaix say that he is the nicest guy you could possibly ever meet and probably one of the smartest/strongest. Im sure he has a coach whom takes care of the numbers while he just goes out to do his prescribed workouts. I think the term idiot is a bit strong for a guy that seems to be so successful in the pro peloton. But you know, what the do I know? Maybe ya'll should cut him some slack?

For the last poster. I race with Thad alot and you shouldnt be too surprised about his wattage or TT times he posts. He is a TT machine. I think he placed in the top 12 for Nats. this past year. My brother rides with him regularly in the Clemson area and told me that he can avg over 425 w for just under an hour. Not quite Lance numbers but not shabby either. Good enough to dominate most regional races.

I heard about 1800 W for Robbie.

I would have though Magnus would have been well over 2000. Considering his weight he'd need 2400 to sprint with Robbie-and Magnus is a good enough sprinter that he occaisionally betters Robbie so I'd have expected at least 2200 W.

:roflmao:

Oh god this thread is killing me!!! This redefines the definition of "clueless in seppoland".

So ... is his FTP like ~500W????

Nah, I'm not a skinny as Rasmussen.

you're skinnier according to cyclingnews.


"Rasmussen himself stands 1.75m tall (5'9") but weighs just 60kg (132lb)."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2007/tour07/tech/probike.php?id=/tech/2007/probikes/tour_rasmussen_rabobank_colnago

ed rader

you're skinnier according to cyclingnews.


"Rasmussen himself stands 1.75m tall (5'9") but weighs just 60kg (132lb)."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2007/tour07/tech/probike.php?id=/tech/2007/probikes/tour_rasmussen_rabobank_colnago

ed rader

I can tell you now he weighs less than that.

ME TTing
http://www.blacksheepcycles.com/Photopost/data/500/8-2.jpg

Ras TTing
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Michael_Rasmussen_2005_TdF_Stage_20_St_Etienne_ITT.jpg/714px-Michael_Rasmussen_2005_TdF_Stage_20_St_Etienne_ITT.jpg

Back on topic, does anyone know where you can find power files of pros?

I can tell you now he weighs less than that.

ME TTing
http://www.blacksheepcycles.com/Photopost/data/500/8-2.jpg

Ras TTing
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Michael_Rasmussen_2005_TdF_Stage_20_St_Etienne_ITT.jpg/714px-Michael_Rasmussen_2005_TdF_Stage_20_St_Etienne_ITT.jpg

Back on topic, does anyone know where you can find power files of pros?

well he's three inches shorter than you so if you guys had the same build that would make RAS about, what, 120 lbs?

and you say he's skinnier so what are we talking 110 lbs :eek:?

ed rader

well he's three inches shorter than you so if you guys had the same build that would make RAS about, what, 120 lbs?

and you say he's skinnier so what are we talking 110 lbs :eek:?

ed rader

I would definatly say ras is in the 120lb range.

If 6'2 215lb Marty Nothstein only put out 2200 watts at his best after less then 1K and training for the sprint was pretty much ALL he did where do you knuckleheads come up with 2400 watts for a road sprinter?


When Boonen gives it full gas in a sprint, he can put out 1600 Watts at 110 rpm. That's typical of a top road sprinter, of which there are very few in the world. "That's huge. Because of that, he has broken several frames. Remember the stage in the Tour de France where his chain came off his cog? That's not magic."
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2005/dec05/dec30news

Good thing Boonen doesn't have to race against some of the people on BF.

I can barely crack 1000 SRM watts which is like 1300 PT watts and 5000 Ergomo watts.