I don't have the books handy at work, but here's a reference:


"Also known as an anaerobic threshold (AT) run or lactate-threshold run, the tempo run was popularized by Jack Daniels, Ph.D., about a decade ago. Here’s his definition, taken from Daniels’ Running Formula (Human Kinetics): "A tempo run is nothing more than 20 minutes of steady running at threshold pace." (He goes on to say that 20 minutes is ideal, but may be varied to suit the needs of a particular course.) Without getting too technical, threshold pace is the effort level just below which the body’s ability to clear lactate, a by-product of carbohydrate metabolism, can no longer keep up with lactate production"

http://www.runnersworld.com/workouts...ctly-tempo-run

I can cite the specific lines from Jack Daniels when I get home tonight, if you'd like. However, the point would be the same, tempo means the same as threshold. This applies for both running and cycling. Just a workout at or barely below lactate threshold.