Rider Type · Data-Derived
Diesel / Rouleur
Consistent across the ride. Aerobic engine that keeps firing late in the day.
Over 20 rides and 193 segment results in 2026, Jim Palmer averaged in the top 57% of the field, with a +8 percentile points (improves!) from the opening segments to the late-ride segments.
Over 20 rides and 193 segment results in 2026, Jim Palmer averaged in the top 57% of the field, with a +8 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 63% avg →
Late (S07+): top 55% avg ·
Swing: +8 percentile points (improves!)
Performance by Segment Type
By Distance
<0.4km (n=69 · 355W avg)
Top 60%
0.4–0.8km (n=76 · 315W avg)
Top 55%
>0.8km (n=48 · 279W avg)
Top 55%
By Gradient
<6% flat (n=40 · 314W avg)
Top 57%
6–10% mod (n=80 · 314W avg)
Top 57%
10–13% steep (n=55 · 332W avg)
Top 56%
>13% wall (n=17 · 321W avg)
Top 57%
Effort Profile
Punchy <0.45km ≥9% (n=50)
Top 59%
Threshold ≥0.7km ≥5% (n=47)
Top 54%
Peak Performances — Best 5 Segments
| Rank | Segment | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/53 | Vista Verde (Egan Official) Ramona to Old Spanish | 0.41 km | 13.5% |
| 11/68 | Briones climb | 0.39 km | 8.1% |
| 11/58 | Arastradero 280 Steep Sprint | 0.42 km | 7.4% |
| 12/61 | Deerfield Drive up | 0.24 km | 9.1% |
| 26/90 | Prospect hill repeat | 0.59 km | 5.8% |
Toughest Moments — Worst 5 Segments
| Rank | Segment | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60/60 | Deerfield Drive up | 0.24 km | 9.1% |
| 57/60 | Valley View from Border | 0.31 km | 8.1% |
| 33/37 | Golden Hills-Fawn-Cervantes peak | 1.7 km | 5.9% |
| 54/62 | La Cresta - full length | 1.64 km | 5.0% |
| 47/56 | Morro Vista | 0.25 km | 8.1% |
What the Data Suggests
💪
Strengths to Protect
Exceptional repeatability — the engine keeps firing deep into the ride. Late-ride performance (top 55%) is actually stronger to the opening. Thrives on rides with high segment counts where rivals are already fading. The aerobic base is the asset — protect it.
🎯
Development Area
Peak power and short-burst acceleration. The punch/threshold gap (top 59% vs top 54%) shows where the ceiling is on explosive efforts. Sprint intervals and over-under VO2max work would add a new gear without eroding the aerobic base. The diesel engine is built — adding a turbo is the next step.
📊
The Real Enemy
Absolute peak power output, not endurance. The engine runs clean all day but the rev ceiling is the constraint. Watts from early to late: 364W → 300W (-18%) — barely any drop, which is the signature. The rival who fades less than everyone else still loses to a rider who never needed to fade.