Pacing Short Segments: 60 Seconds to 5 Minutes
Short segments are almost always ridden badly: too hard from the gun, fading in the middle, nothing left at the end. A plan is worth several seconds without any extra fitness.
Up to 90 seconds
Anaerobic capacity rules here. A hard start makes sense because the acceleration happens early and you then hold speed. Target: clearly above goal power for the first 15 seconds, then as steady as possible.
90 seconds to 3 minutes
The classic VO2max range. Start around 10 percent above target power, stabilise after 30 seconds and hold steady. Going 20 percent too hard in the first minute loses more in the second half than it gains up front.
3 to 5 minutes
Evenness clearly wins. Hold power in a narrow band and save the last 20 seconds for whatever is left. A 3-second average on your head unit is far more usable than the instantaneous number.
The entry matters
On flat segments, speed as you cross the start line is enormously valuable, because you do the accelerating beforehand. 300 metres of run-up with rising power is almost always faster than starting from a roll.
In short
Short and hard with a steady middle — and carry speed across the start line.
Frequently asked questions
How many attempts per session?
Two or three on short segments, with full recovery. After that power drops far enough that attempts make little sense.
Should I pace by heart rate?
No, heart rate lags too much. Power or speed are the usable metrics on short segments.