The Cycling World is Buzzing: Is Team Visma's Dominant Training Method Becoming Obsolete?
For years, Team Visma | Lease a Bike has been synonymous with a polarizing training philosophy. Their formula? A heavy dose of long, steady rides paired with short, explosive bursts of intensity. This approach propelled them to the pinnacle of men’s stage racing, leaving competitors in their dust. But here's where it gets controversial: whispers from within the peloton suggest a shift is underway.
UAE Team Emirates' Florian Vermeersch, a direct rival, hints at a change in Visma's strategy. He claims conversations with Visma riders reveal a move away from strict polarization towards more sustained zone 2 training. This, he believes, reflects the evolving demands of modern racing.
And this is the part most people miss: Today's races aren't won by isolated bursts of power, but by the ability to sustain high intensity for hours on end. Vermeersch himself focused on building durability during the off-season, recognizing that the ability to maintain power even after grueling hours in the saddle is the new key to success. This philosophy aligns closely with UAE Team Emirates' long-standing emphasis on extended zone 2 training.
However, Vermeersch is careful not to dismiss Visma's past success. He acknowledges that different riders respond to different training methods, and Visma's VO2max-focused approach has undeniably delivered results. The shift, he suggests, isn't about abandoning polarization entirely, but rather about adapting to the relentless pace of modern racing. Races are now ridden at a blistering speed from the starting gun, leaving little room for riders who can only excel in short, isolated efforts.
Is zone 2 training the new miracle cure? Vermeersch doesn't think so. He argues that the margins between training philosophies are often exaggerated. What truly separates teams, he believes, is the caliber of riders executing those philosophies. "Our biggest advantage," he states, "is that we have the best riders in the world."
Whether Visma's reported shift signifies a fundamental change in philosophy or a natural adaptation to the evolving sport, one thing is clear: even the most successful strategies in the cutthroat world of professional cycling are constantly evolving. So, what do you think? Is zone 2 training the future, or is Visma simply fine-tuning their already dominant approach? Let us know in the comments below!
