Updated Goals and Plan for UCI Gran Fondo 2027
Introduction
As I sit down to reflect on my journey towards the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2027, I realize how important it is to set realistic and sustainable goals. When I first started this journey, my aim was to finish in the top 100 at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2027. However, as I’ve progressed and learned more about my body and the demands of training, I’ve come to understand that my focus needs to shift. The new objective is not just about elite placement but about qualification readiness and completion. This shift is about more than just the finish line; it’s about the journey, the consistency, and the balance between training and life.
Main Objective
Before: “Finish top 100 at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2027.”
Now: “Qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2027.”
This change in focus from elite placement to qualification readiness is significant. It’s not about lowering my ambitions but about ensuring that my goals are achievable within the constraints of my training schedule and lifestyle. The emphasis now is on durability, consistency, and aerodynamics, ensuring that I can maintain a sustainable training volume of 6–8 hours per week.
Power & Performance Targets
Here’s a breakdown of my updated power and performance targets:
| Metric | Old Target | Updated Target | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTP (2027) | 305 W (4.2–4.3 W/kg) | 280–290 W (3.8–4.0 W/kg) | More achievable given training time |
| 20 min Power | 330 W | 305–320 W | Matches new FTP trajectory |
| 3–5 min VO₂max | 380–400 W | 350–370 W | Sustainable aerobic ceiling |
| TTE @ FTP | 60 min | 45–55 min | Focus on fatigue resistance |
| Peak CTL | 85–90 | 80–85 | Balances performance & recovery |
These adjustments reflect a more realistic approach to my training, ensuring that I can maintain consistency and avoid burnout.
Running Goals
My running goals have also evolved to support my overall fitness and recovery:
| Year | Old Goal | New Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 km ≤ 25 min | Unchanged |
| 2026 | 10 km ≤ 45 min | 10 km ≤ 50 min |
| 2027 | Maintain running fitness | Maintenance only (durability & HRV) |
Running is now more about supporting my aerobic balance and recovery rather than pushing for performance progression.
Event Goals
For my event goals, I’ve made the following adjustments:
| Year | Event | Old Goal | New Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Vätternrundan | Sub-9 h | Sub-11 h |
| 2027 | UCI GF Worlds | Top-100 finish | Qualification goal only |
These changes align better with my available training time and ensure that I can maintain a sustainable pace without overloading my schedule.
Training Focus Shift
My training focus has shifted from maximizing absolute FTP to building durability and repeatability. Here’s a summary of the key changes:
| From | To |
|---|---|
| Maximizing absolute FTP | Building durability and repeatability |
| High-intensity elite build | Time-efficient, structured progression |
| Short-term power spikes | Long-term aerobic efficiency |
| “Hero days” | Consistent load & quality execution |
This shift is about ensuring that I can maintain a consistent training load and quality execution, rather than pushing for short-term gains that might lead to burnout.
Training Plan for the Rest of 2025
As I head into the final months of 2025, my training plan is designed to build a strong foundation for the upcoming year. The focus is on balancing endurance, strength, and recovery, ensuring that I can maintain consistency and avoid burnout.
Cycling Workouts
- Zone 2 (Z2) Rides: I’ll be gradually increasing the duration of my Zone 2 rides, starting from 45 minutes and progressing up to 120 minutes. These rides are essential for building aerobic endurance and efficiency, forming the backbone of my cycling fitness.
- Sweet Spot Intervals: Each week, I’ll incorporate Sweet Spot intervals (88%-92% FTP) to improve sustainable power and fatigue resistance. The intervals will progress in duration, helping me build the ability to maintain higher intensities for longer periods.
Strength Training
- Zone 1 (Z1) Strength Sessions: Strength training will remain a consistent part of my routine, with two sessions per week. These sessions are focused on maintaining strength and mobility, all performed at a Zone 1 heart rate to support recovery and overall durability.
Running Workouts
- Zone 2 (Z2) and Zone 3 (Z3) Runs: My running workouts will start with easy Zone 2 runs to support aerobic fitness and gradually introduce Zone 3 runs to build running efficiency and durability. The progression in intensity will help me maintain a balanced approach to running while supporting my cycling goals.
This plan is designed to be time-efficient and sustainable, fitting within my 6–8 hours per week training schedule. The goal is to build durability and repeatability, ensuring that I can maintain progress without overloading my system.
Conclusion
In summary, my updated plan maintains ambition but now fully matches my realistic training volume and long-term lifestyle balance. The focus is on durability, recovery, and qualification-level readiness over elite competition pacing. This approach ensures that I can enjoy the journey while still aiming for a significant achievement.
As I move forward, I’m excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The key is to stay consistent, listen to my body, and enjoy the process. After all, the journey is just as important as the destination.