Purpose: To investigate the relationship of field-derived power and physical performance parameters with competition success in road cycling climbing specialists of age-related categories and to explore cross-sectional differences between high-ranked (HIGHR) climbing specialists of each category. Methods: Fifty-three male climbers participated in this study (junior [JUN], n = 15; under 23 [U23], n = 21; professional [PRO], n = 17). Training and racing data collected during the 2016-19 competitive seasons were retrospectively analyzed for record power outputs (RPOs) and RPOs after prior accumulated work. Results: In JUN, body mass, absolute RPOs, and relative RPOs were higher in HIGHR compared with low ranked (d = 0.97-2.20, large; P = .097-.001); in U23 and PRO, the percentage decrease in RPOs after 20, 30, 40, and 50 kJ·kg-1 was less in HIGHR compared with low ranked (d = 0.77-1.74, moderate-large; P = .096-.004). JUN HIGHR presented lower absolute and relative RPO-20 min (np2 = .34 - .38, large; P = .099-.001) and higher percentage decrease in RPOs after prior accumulated work compared with U23 and PRO HIGHR (np2 = .28 - .68, large; P = .060-.001); percentage decrease in RPOs after prior accumulated work was the only parameter differentiating U23 and PRO HIGHR, with PRO declining less in relative RPO-1 min, RPO-5 min, and RPO-20 min after 20 to 50 kJ·kg-1 (np2 = .28 - .68, large; P = .090-.001). Conclusions: Superior absolute and relative RPOs characterize HIGHR JUN climbing specialists. Superior fatigue resistance differentiates HIGHR U23 and PRO climbers compared with low ranked, as well as PRO versus U23 climbers.
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