Rider Type · Data-Derived
Pure Climber
Thrives on sustained gradient. The steeper and longer, the better.
Over 20 rides and 200 segment results in 2025, Christoph Zorich averaged in the top 72% of the field, with a +7 percentile points (improves!) from the opening segments to the late-ride segments.
Over 20 rides and 200 segment results in 2025, Christoph Zorich averaged in the top 72% of the field, with a +7 percentile points (improves!) from the opening segments to the late-ride segments.
Fatigue Pattern — Field Percentile by Segment Position
Average field percentile per segment slot (lower = better; bar height = how far back)
Opening (S01–S02): top 79% avg →
Late (S07+): top 72% avg ·
Swing: +7 percentile points (improves!)
Performance by Segment Type
By Distance
<0.4km (n=82 · 307W avg)
Top 76%
0.4–0.8km (n=74 · 284W avg)
Top 70%
>0.8km (n=44 · 266W avg)
Top 68%
By Gradient
<6% flat (n=36 · 283W avg)
Top 74%
6–10% mod (n=87 · 284W avg)
Top 72%
10–13% steep (n=62 · 300W avg)
Top 70%
>13% wall (n=14 · 293W avg)
Top 76%
Effort Profile
Punchy <0.45km ≥9% (n=54)
Top 74%
Threshold ≥0.7km ≥5% (n=43)
Top 68%
Peak Performances — Best 5 Segments
| Rank | Segment | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25/62 | Morro Vista | 0.25 km | 8.1% |
| 23/55 | Mora Climb - Stop to Fence | 0.83 km | 8.1% |
| 40/87 | Camino Hermosa (Egan Official) to Magdalena | 0.62 km | 9.4% |
| 25/51 | Moody - New "Official" | 0.8 km | 11.1% |
| 29/59 | Viscaino West Side | 0.37 km | 12.5% |
Toughest Moments — Worst 5 Segments
| Rank | Segment | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 66/67 | Lundy Grind | 0.13 km | 8.0% |
| 63/66 | Valley View from Border | 0.31 km | 8.1% |
| 70/74 | Anacapa - Sir Francis to La Cresta | 0.92 km | 9.1% |
| 67/72 | De Bell (Egan official) | 0.31 km | 7.9% |
| 78/84 | St. Francis to La Cresta | 0.49 km | 6.9% |
What the Data Suggests
💪
Strengths to Protect
Gradient is your friend — performance holds or improves on steeper pitches. Best on sustained steep climbs. The climbing economy (power-to-weight expression) is the weapon. Protect body weight and VO2max work.
🎯
Development Area
Flat and rolling segments are the weak spot — 3 percentile points behind best-gradient performance. Not about becoming a sprinter, but reducing the gap on terrain where others are pulling away. Cadence work, aero position, and short flat intervals would help neutralize the disadvantage.
📊
The Real Enemy
Flat terrain and short punchy efforts where raw speed matters more than W/kg. Watts on short efforts: 307W — the absolute number may be competitive, but the expression on non-climbing terrain is not translating.