Purpose The aim of this study was to describe the day-by-day training and racing characteristics in preparation for the Giro d`Italia of 1 world-class road cyclist who achieved a place on the podium in the final general classification of the Giro d`Italia. Methods Day-by-day power meter training and racing data of 1 study subject (road cyclist; age 25 y; relative maximum oxygen consumption 81 mL·min-1·kg-1; relative 20-min record power output 6.6 W·kg-1) covering the 152 days leading up to the podium in the Giro d`Italia final general classification were retrospectively analyzed. Daily load, daily volume, and intensity distribution were considered. Results During training a pattern alternating "hard days" versus "easy days" was observed, as significant amounts of medium or high intensity, or load, were not performed for more than 2 consecutive days This pattern was achieved combining high volume (>4 h) with a significant amount of medium and high intensity within the same training sessions. During training, when training load and intensity increased, the density of "easy days" augmented. In 1-week stage races and the Giro d`Italia, 3 to 8 consecutive days with significant amounts of medium and high intensity were performed. A high number of training sessions with small amounts of medium- and high-intensity volume was observed: 38 days accumulating 3 to 10 minutes at medium intensity and 29 days spending 1 to 9 minutes at high intensity. Conclusion These data provide novel insights about the day-by-day periodization strategies leading to a top 3 in the Giro d`Italia general classification.
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