After every Life Time Grand Prix race, we get a power debrief from Jim van den Berg from JOIN.cc. He analyses the outcome of the 4iiii power meter (get yours here), explains physiological differences between riders and discusses the technicalities of the parcours.

BIG SUGAR GRAVEL

This sixth and last event of the Life Time Grand Prix series was held in Bentonville Arkansas. Keegan Swenson was going to take the big prize money of $250.000 dollar, by finishing first overall, no matter what this race would bring. Laurens finished 12th overall, not good enough for winning any prize money, but surely a great achievement. But before the final classification was made, there was one last 100 mile gravel race to be ridden.

Once again, Laurens found himself in a part of rural America, where you normally wouldn’t go to. Bentonville, Arkansas is right in the middle of the USA and, given the photo’s, it must be a beautiful place. The parcours consisted mostly of ‘chunky’ gravel, going through forests and crossing river beds. It was one of the few races, not to be held at high altitude, but only at 300 to 500 meters altitude. Still, the amount of climbing was 2500 meters. Nevertheless a great moment to compare Laurens’ power output in this race, to his results at sea level.

Laurens needed 5 hours en 7 minutes to complete this 100-miler. This result was good for a 10th place and he only needed 9 minutes more than winner Russel Finsterwald. On this 5 hour course, he pushed a descent average of 283 Watt and 316 normalized power. Especially in the first hour, the group went full gas with a maximum 5 minute output of 404 Watt and a maximum 20 minute output of 348 Watt. This race wasn't really about extreme power outputs, but more about steady pacing. Almost 40 % of the time, our hero rode between the 270 and 370 Watt and ‘only’ 11 % above 430 Watt.

This race was a real energy comsumer with 5210 kJ and 5182 kCal. You can call this the equivalent of 33 beers, but compared to Unbound (9726 kJ) was this a piece of cake (without actually eating it). Surprising fact:when the field got splattered, Laurens let his power output go down a bit to 255 Watt. A logical choice maybe, but also a sign that the body was getting tired. Another comparison with Unbound: in that race he managed to squeeze out a power of 289 Watt over 9 hours. It has been a long season, is. my conclusion. Big Sugar Gravel was a descent achievement, but not his best one this season.