Train for your gran fondo or long sportive with a structured 8 week plan built for riders with 6 to 8 hours a week. This is the complete preparation for a big day in the saddle, building the aerobic endurance, sustained climbing power, long ride durability and race day fuelling that carry you strongly to the finish. Every ride is Zwift and indoor trainer compatible, with power targets in percent of FTP so it scales precisely to you.

WHO IT IS FOR. Amateur and enthusiast cyclists preparing for a gran fondo, cyclosportive, century or any long, hilly ride. If you can train six to eight hours a week and want to arrive at the start line fit, fuelled and confident rather than hoping to survive, this plan is built for you. Suitable for indoor or outdoor riders.

HOW IT PROGRESSES. Volume climbs through a clear ladder of 6:00, 6:30 and 7:00 hours, then a 4:30 recovery week to absorb the work, before extending to 7:30 and peaking at 8:00 hours. A 6:30 sharpening week and a 4:30 race week then taper you into the event itself on the final Sunday. Week one opens with a 20 minute FTP test so every target is calibrated to you.

WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT. A signature long progressive Saturday ride grows week by week toward event distance, stacking tempo and climb blocks late so you rehearse pressing on tired legs and practise fuelling at 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrate per hour. Tuesday and Thursday carry distinct tempo and threshold sessions built for climbing, and no two are the same. Every ride carries a peer reviewed sports science reference.

WHAT TO EXPECT EACH WEEK. Monday rest, Tuesday and Thursday climbing quality, Wednesday rolling endurance, Friday recovery, Saturday the long progressive ride, Sunday easy endurance. A peak week dress rehearsal near four hours confirms your durability, pacing and fuelling. You finish ready to ride your gran fondo to a plan and enjoy it.