<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--
  High Torque Training — Zwift workout
  Last updated: 2026-05-23

  Site:      https://high-torque.jelen.dk/
  Calendar:  https://high-torque.jelen.dk/content/workouts.md
  Rationale: https://high-torque.jelen.dk/content/rationale.md
  LLMs:      https://high-torque.jelen.dk/llms.txt
-->
<workout_file>
    <author>Tom Jelen</author>
    <name>Rüegg VO2max Sprint</name>
    <activitySaveName>High Torque: Rüegg - 3x(5min VO2max + sprint) @ 50-60 rpm</activitySaveName>
    <description>From EF Pro Cycling, coach Peter Schep, featuring rider Noemi Rüegg. Three sets of: 5 min at 106-120% FTP (50-60 rpm) followed by a 1-min max sprint in a lighter gear to 'better your ability to transfer torque into power.' 10-min recovery between sets. Seated for the VO2max blocks; sprint cadence is unconstrained. Elevated injury risk.</description>
    <sportType>bike</sportType>
    <tags />
    <workout>
        <Warmup Duration="1200" PowerLow="0.40" PowerHigh="0.75">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" duration="25" message="Source: EF Pro Cycling — coach Peter Schep, rider Noemi Rüegg. A pro team torque workout, not a research study." />
            <textevent timeoffset="75" duration="20" message="All the research behind this program: high-torque.jelen.dk" />
            <textevent timeoffset="120" duration="30" message="Each set: 5 minutes at 106-120% FTP and 50-60 rpm, then shift to a lighter gear for a 1-minute max sprint. 10-minute recovery between sets." />
            <textevent timeoffset="240" duration="25" message="Schep: the sprint at the end is to 'better your ability to transfer torque into power.' The combination trains both force production and explosiveness." />
            <textevent timeoffset="360" duration="25" message="Schep's progression for recreational riders: start at 60 rpm, 80-85% FTP for 15 min. Then threshold. Only then VO2max torque work like this." />
            <textevent timeoffset="510" duration="30" message="MODE NOTE: The sprints reach 150% FTP — ERG mode will not deliver a natural sprint feel at that intensity. Ride this workout in slope/resistance mode and manage gear yourself." />
            <textevent timeoffset="570" duration="25" message="SEATED for the 5-minute VO2max blocks. The sprint can be seated or standing — cadence is unconstrained during the sprint." />
            <textevent timeoffset="690" duration="30" message="KNEE WARNING: This session combines sustained high-torque load with explosive sprint effort. Elevated injury risk. Only attempt if Tier 2 sessions have been consistently comfortable." />
            <textevent timeoffset="900" duration="25" message="The 10-minute recovery between sets is essential. The combination of VO2max and sprint work requires full recovery for quality." />
            <textevent timeoffset="1080" duration="20" message="First set in 2 minutes. Find your gear for 50-60rpm at 110% FTP. Hard gear." />
            <textevent timeoffset="1140" message="STAY SEATED for the 5-minute block. Sprint cadence is your choice." />
        </Warmup>

        <!-- Set 1 -->
        <SteadyState Duration="300" Power="1.10" Cadence="55">
            <textevent timeoffset="0" message="STAY SEATED. 50-60rpm. 110% FTP. 5 minutes." />
            <textevent timeoffset="30" duration="20" message="This is hard from the start. 50-60rpm at VO2max power creates enormous torque per stroke." />
            <textevent timeoffset="150" message="2.5 minutes. Halfway. Hold cadence. Legs and lungs both working hard." />
            <textevent timeoffset="210" duration="20" message="3.5 minutes. Sprint burst coming after this block. Mentally prepare — it is maximal." />
            <textevent timeoffset="270" message="30 seconds. The sprint starts immediately after. Get ready." />
        </SteadyState>

        <MaxEffort Duration="60">
            <textevent timeoffset="0" message="SPRINT. Maximal effort. 1 minute. Any cadence — seated or standing." />
            <textevent timeoffset="30" message="Halfway. Keep driving." />
            <textevent timeoffset="50" message="10 seconds." />
        </MaxEffort>

        <SteadyState Duration="600" Power="0.50">
            <textevent timeoffset="0" message="Recovery. 10 minutes. You need them." />
            <textevent timeoffset="60" duration="25" message="EF Pro Cycling uses this format to develop both force production and the ability to translate torque into sprint power." />
            <textevent timeoffset="120" duration="25" message="That combination — sustained VO2max torque into a maximal sprint — taxes every energy system simultaneously." />
            <textevent timeoffset="300" duration="30" message="Knee check. The explosive sprint after sustained low-cadence work is the highest-risk moment in this session. How do they feel?" />
            <textevent timeoffset="480" duration="20" message="Set 2 in 2 minutes. Same structure: 5 min at 110% FTP, 50-60rpm, then 1-min sprint." />
            <textevent timeoffset="540" message="Find your gear. 50-60rpm. STAY SEATED for the VO2max block." />
        </SteadyState>

        <!-- Set 2 -->
        <SteadyState Duration="300" Power="1.10" Cadence="55">
            <textevent timeoffset="0" message="STAY SEATED. Set 2. 50-60rpm. 110% FTP. 5 minutes." />
            <textevent timeoffset="60" duration="20" message="Set 2 feels harder from the start. Fatigue from set 1 is cumulative. That is by design." />
            <textevent timeoffset="150" message="Halfway. This is a demanding protocol — pro athletes train this way. Hold form." />
            <textevent timeoffset="240" message="1 minute left. Sprint coming." />
            <textevent timeoffset="270" message="30 seconds. Get ready to sprint." />
        </SteadyState>

        <MaxEffort Duration="60">
            <textevent timeoffset="0" message="SPRINT. Maximal. 1 minute. Any cadence." />
            <textevent timeoffset="30" message="Halfway." />
            <textevent timeoffset="50" message="10 seconds." />
        </MaxEffort>

        <SteadyState Duration="600" Power="0.50">
            <textevent timeoffset="0" message="Recovery. 10 minutes. Last set coming." />
            <textevent timeoffset="120" duration="25" message="Two sets done. If your knees feel anything joint-related, skip set 3. Two sets is still a meaningful session." />
            <textevent timeoffset="300" duration="25" message="This workout targets neuromuscular power alongside aerobic capacity. The sprint after sustained torque work is what makes it unique among the collection." />
            <textevent timeoffset="480" message="Final set in 2 minutes. Everything you have left." />
            <textevent timeoffset="540" message="Find your gear. 50-60rpm. STAY SEATED for the VO2max block." />
        </SteadyState>

        <!-- Set 3 -->
        <SteadyState Duration="300" Power="1.10" Cadence="55">
            <textevent timeoffset="0" message="STAY SEATED. Final set. 50-60rpm. 110% FTP. 5 minutes." />
            <textevent timeoffset="60" message="This is the hardest set. Fatigue is real. Hold the cadence." />
            <textevent timeoffset="150" message="Halfway. Almost done. One more sprint after this." />
            <textevent timeoffset="240" message="1 minute. Last sprint of the session coming." />
            <textevent timeoffset="270" message="30 seconds. Prepare for the final sprint." />
        </SteadyState>

        <MaxEffort Duration="60">
            <textevent timeoffset="0" message="FINAL SPRINT. Everything. 1 minute. Any cadence." />
            <textevent timeoffset="30" message="Halfway. Leave nothing." />
            <textevent timeoffset="50" message="10 seconds." />
        </MaxEffort>

        <Cooldown Duration="720" PowerLow="0.50" PowerHigh="0.40">
            <textevent timeoffset="10" message="Rüegg protocol complete. Spin easy." />
            <textevent timeoffset="180" duration="20" message="Post-session knee check is especially important here. Note anything unusual." />
            <textevent timeoffset="360" duration="20" message="Allow at least 48 hours before the next hard session. This is not a session to stack with other intense work." />
            <textevent timeoffset="540" duration="30" message="Schep (EF Pro Cycling) recommends 30 min warmup and 30 min cooldown for this session. We use shorter warmup/cooldown for Zwift, but take the recovery seriously." />
        </Cooldown>
    </workout>
</workout_file>
