Originally Posted by
merlinextraligh
2) VO2 max is not the be all end all for cycling performance. Much more important is power at threshold, and the ability to hold that threshold power for prolonged periods. While your maximum aerobic potential is coming down slightly each year with age, you can still increase your FTP as a percentage of your VO2 max.
That's a good point. Most of us are not needing to bang out a VO2max performance, but lots of activities call for threshold efforts.
One event that's likely pure threshold is the 40km time trial. And, among the best athletes, not that much is lost as age increases.
From Friel, Fast After 50, 2015
Inspirational.