Yeah, getting close now.
Must say, the ride i did with @SaSha1103 in the Eifel was a big confidence boost. Even though the climbs are not that similar, i did almost 2,5 hours climbing at an average of 260w (ftp about 300) and after 6 hours of riding i was still feeling like a could go for another hour.
Also tested fueling with SIS Beta fuel gels mostly. One gel and hour and about 40g of carbs per hour of drink mix and had no gut issues what so ever. Was a really good day.
So event tactics for anyone who is thinking about a target time?. I’ve ridden the Maratona dles Dolomites twice and both occasions I went with groups on the early climbs at a pace which was not comfortable and went above threshold quite a bit until I finally let groups off. On both occasions I was happy with my finish time but was really tough for the entire event from start to finish.
Maratona was 7 big climbs with the longest being a 55 min climb. For these climbs I averaged 240-250 for first 5. Last 2 were 55 mins climbs where I averaged 230 & 210 respectively so diminishing power towards latter end. I don’t recall looking at power much as I was just concentrating on staying on wheels and first 2 climbs were definitely not steady.
Marmotte is different with longer steady climbs. My FTP is similar to previous years and when I ride climbs in training I can do 240 with a training partner at conversation pace (albeit the maximum climbs in my area are 25 mins).
So my question is let the groups off on the Glandon and just settle into target watts even if that means no wheel to follow or ride on feel and try stay in a group.
My goal is fastest time possible however but don’t want to be on my knees on the Galibier and spend the entire ride on the rivet 
.
My gut says weather conditions will play a part, eg if there is a headwind on Glandon.
Experience gained from hilly training says if I can keep the watts steady and avoid heart approaching threshold HR then I can actually achieve my target watts, actually enjoy it and not end up half dead by Alpe Duez but that may not be the fastest approach in the real world.
That feels like a lot of intensity tapering for an event like that, I would maybe have a wake up ride 1-2 days before, but keep intensity lower and volume lower in the 4-5 days before…
No need to be 100% fresh, but doing sessions like those feel a bit wasteful!
I think I’m going to basically try and sit at 265-270w for each of the 4 climbs, but obviously change that as time goes on if the heat becomes a big factor.
I’m basically gonna just ride the climbs at my own pace and not worry about anybody else’s but then try find a group for the flatter sections in the valleys. Which may involve waiting before the timing starts after the Glandon neutralised.
Times ticking now, it’ll be here before we know it 
Yep thinking that will mostly be my strategy also. 4 weeks out now and not likely to change anything in terms of weight or watts so the countdown is on 
Exactly my thinking too! Just gotta keep things ticking over now and try freshen up.
I need a break after the marmotte, bit of chill time off the bike 
If you see a British lad with a beard on a Cannondale blowing out his arse, give me a push will you
Pacing plan is a bit like described above. Ftp is around 300 at the moment. Plan is to ride the climbs around 260ish and find groups for the flats. Main thing is to not let myself get carried away at the start and go to hard. Ride the draft to the start of the Gladon and settle into my own thing.
Sure thing but doubt I’ll have the energy to wipe my brow towards the latter part 
I keep following this with both vested interest and vicariously living through you guys.
I had a major setback this weekend. I got crashed in to by a car who was not yielding when I had right of way. Luckily I somehow escaped without a scratch, but my bike is completely wrecked.
Luckily I can use the bike of a mate (a real nice one as well) but I’m so incredibly bummed out that my trusty steed is done for.
Also means that most training will have to resume indoors on the kickr bike, which kinda sucks for the longer Endurance rides. But I just have to approach those sessions as heat acclimatisation sessions, it is getting pretty watm indoors now.
My pacing plan will be 80-83% on the climbs. Especially the Glandon really focus on keeping the watts low and not getting carried away by the excitement and other riders. And then adjust according to the form of the day.
I will test most of the pacing out during the Medio Fondo Trois Ballons next week. Approximately 140km and 3.000m elevation.
Form is really getting there, Endurance and tempo work without much (or any) cardiac drift shows good adaptation on that front.
I am also training for the Marmotte 2023. My goal is to ride it under 7 hrs (top 10 in my CAT M50) if weather conditions are good/ normal. Next week I ride the 3 Ballons as a final test. Last year I did the 3 Ballons in 6:21 so if I can do the same result I will be very satisfied. Then one week of training and then tapermodus and hope for the best form.
After week 11 on Mallorca trainingscamp for 27 hours and 10.000 altimeters, week 18 trainingscamp Limburg/Ardennen and last week around Calpe (Spain) for 26 hours and 10.000 altimeters i think iam ready for GF Schleck and Marmotte. At the moment i have make 6600km and 224 hours.
My FTP is about 295w with 65kg (4.5w/kg). i rode the Coll the Rates with 308w for 18:12. I will pace for about 250w on the climbs. It’s tempting to go faster, but it will be a long day. My goal is for <7 hours.
Ouch, that sucks! I hope you have a mild variant. I had it back in early march and took me a week off the bike and another to get back in the swing of it.
I’m fine btw, thanks for asking. It’s just material damage. I have great alternative bikes thanks to some friends.
This weekend I will be riding the Trois Ballons (Medio-fondo + transfer) in a sort of mini-trainingscamp. 3 days and of approx (2+4+6=) 12 hours with lots of tempo climbing. Eager to see how long climbs will go at temp.
Anyway, I hope you’re better quickly and it doesn’t make too much of a dent in your fitness!
Hopefully a quick recovery!
Thanks both! It kind of timed itself well, as this is my recovery week. Struggled last week with the workouts, so guess it was taking a hold then 
Upside is at least it’s not the week before the marmotte lol
Struggled like Evenepoel I hope 
Hey, not long to go now. How are people tapering with just over 2 weeks to go… 
All the best for big day.
For my part I trained hard until this past weekend, relatively easy week this week doing the Megeve 135k Sunday. After that it’s an easy week followed by a ‘rebuild’ week leading in with some volume and intensity. Over the (many!) years I learned that I just perform much better with a bit of fatigue in the legs, perform worse when super fresh…can’t explain why
Good luck all, Don`t over look the heat- if its like last year 
Galibier was 37c & Alpe was 42c. Also the feed stations was a joke. No energy gels & only crappy bars that was hard to eat. (i will be carrying all mine fuelling next time). But enjoy as it a great event.
