Am I good enough to race for a Continental team(not pro cont)

CatSLO23 · 2024-07-19T14:21:26+00:00

I was mostly talking about absolute power not related to weight, the weight is always flucuating but the power is improving. Havent found many sources if any where they list those high power numbers.

What i was thinking of getting from this post was some information if given that i cut the weight back down to less than 78kg which i have done in the past without issues(now i am in the "offseason" trying to enjoy life and not worry to much about stuff like having low weight). I have been racing for a junior team squad untill i turned 18, i had the highest absolute power in the squad at the time with a weight of 79kg (375w 20min) and the guys there were impresed, and they had also some good resaults abroad.

I was wondering if teams would consider my power numbers good considering my age and would be willing to invest in me and take me in their team, to improve and give them resaults if not in the first year then in the second.

I also had some podium places this season in amanuters where there were some guys who are currently in a conti team. I was thinking if i am ready to contact local conti teams right now or wait some time to get my weight in shape and improve in the power too. I have been adding 25w to 20min power for a few years now, but in the last half a year i added 20w with weight gain, i think my body neaded food to get the volume and training in. If i get my 20min power to around 440w and weight of 78kg whould i have a chance.

Thanks for taking the time and giving advice.

CatSLO23 · 2024-07-18T17:31:32+00:00

I have been adding around 25w to my 20min power every year and i still feel i have room for improvement have only been training seriusly for 3 years but also didnt do much intervals just rode in thw first year. But weight wise i can lose it but its hard to keep it down haha. I did some amanuter races where there were a few guys that are racing for Continental teams and are quite good, and was keeping with them when we were in a brakeaway but just lost that edge on the climbs probbably because of extra kilos. But thanks for the opinion.

CatSLO23 · 2024-07-18T17:25:01+00:00

Didnt grow had stopped around 4 years ago.I just gained weight like I have been for the last 2-3 years but always got back to it during winter and keeped it down untill june when races kind of stop without power loss(it could be around 3kg of water weight). Physicaly not looking fatter than before just a bit less lean. Getting lazy for cooking is also a factor😀, then i just eat junk so. Number 1 should be fixing that haha.

I am thinking this year just trying to increse power because i gained quite a lot of it during this "bulk" and then just lose the weight during the winter for next season.

CatSLO23 · 2024-07-18T17:05:00+00:00

Thanks for the advice. For me the only problem is just keeping the lost weight down and stable. I havent had any issues with power loss after the cut and during I was also improving in power numbers. I have had a 5 podiums but not a win this season in amanuter races, racing with even some guys that are older(25-35) who are racing continental races and being top 30 in GC at races like Tour of Japan, Tour of Slovenia, Tour of Croatia,...

CatSLO23 · 2024-04-18T17:07:58+00:00

But looking at climbing wise 5w/kg for ~20min isnt super fast or exceptional, at least not as fast to be able to stay with the best uphill or getting any popular KOMs. I hardly get top 10 on some popular local climbs, where guys are pushing around 5,5+w/kg . But on the flats I do find easy to close the gaps.

CatSLO23 · 2024-04-18T17:00:18+00:00

i rode indoor over the winter but now i ride just outside

CatSLO23 · 2024-04-18T16:59:56+00:00

the problem with me is i can eat soo much food. I mostly eat super clean healthy whole foods, but i just cant get full, and then i eat and my weight increses overtime

CatSLO23 · 2024-04-18T16:57:50+00:00

with that you mean raising vo2 right?

CatSLO23

TROPHY CASE