Rider Type · Data-Derived
Pure Climber
Thrives on sustained gradient. The steeper and longer, the better.
Over 12 rides and 110 segment results in 2025, Zac Blanco averaged in the top 38% of the field, with a +11 percentile points (improves!) from the opening segments to the late-ride segments.
Over 12 rides and 110 segment results in 2025, Zac Blanco averaged in the top 38% of the field, with a +11 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 47% avg →
Late (S07+): top 36% avg ·
Swing: +11 percentile points (improves!)
Performance by Segment Type
By Distance
<0.4km (n=47 · 412W avg)
Top 45%
0.4–0.8km (n=39 · 369W avg)
Top 35%
>0.8km (n=24 · 314W avg)
Top 32%
By Gradient
<6% flat (n=21 · 352W avg)
Top 43%
6–10% mod (n=47 · 374W avg)
Top 38%
10–13% steep (n=34 · 397W avg)
Top 34%
>13% wall (n=7 · 348W avg)
Top 52%
Effort Profile
Punchy <0.45km ≥9% (n=29)
Top 41%
Threshold ≥0.7km ≥5% (n=23)
Top 29%
Peak Performances — Best 5 Segments
| Rank | Segment | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/53 | Parker Ranch to Star Ridge | 0.46 km | 12.0% |
| 5/55 | H2N: Voss | 0.37 km | 11.0% |
| 7/66 | Andover Way | 0.2 km | 10.4% |
| 6/54 | Edgerton from the bottom | 0.56 km | 10.5% |
| 8/71 | Last climb out of Rancho | 0.33 km | 3.7% |
Toughest Moments — Worst 5 Segments
| Rank | Segment | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52/53 | Valley View from Border | 0.31 km | 8.1% |
| 66/69 | Stonebrook to Prospect | 0.47 km | 5.5% |
| 59/62 | Up Escobar to Westridge | 0.96 km | 4.6% |
| 49/54 | H2N: Maria Ln | 0.38 km | 13.4% |
| 59/67 | Lundy Grind | 0.13 km | 8.0% |
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 — 9 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: 412W — the absolute number may be competitive, but the expression on non-climbing terrain is not translating.