Conquering the Mountains - The Science of Climbing

The Knowledge by Wahoo

In this episode of The Knowledge Podcast by Wahoo, host Neal Henderson and Jeff Hoobler dive into the extreme demands of the Giro d'Italia, one of the most grueling grand tours in cycling. With over 51,000 meters of climbing over 21 stages, including three days with over 5,000 meters of climbing each, the Giro is notorious for being brutal and unpredictable. The hosts discuss the science of climbing, including the rate of vertical ascent and how it correlates with watts/kg, as well as the challenges of time trialing in uphill conditions, known as climb trialing. They also explore how the body responds to the demands of the race over a 3-week period, and offer insights into how cyclists can maximize their performance on the climbs. Don't miss this fascinating discussion on the science behind conquering the mountains in the Giro d'Italia.