The King of the Lake is a famous time trial race around Lake Attersee in Austria. The course is a 47.2 km clockwise loop starting and finishing in Kammer with approximately 280 meters of total elevation gain.

While mostly flat and fast, the race features some climbs as well. Moreover, for a full lake loop, the wind also plays a crucial role. Hence, riding the full 47.2 km course at a constant, flat power output is structurally inefficient. We leveraged the Swiss Side Performance Platform to evaluate how strategic power distribution affects the clock in a race where every second matters.

Every Second Counts: The Data-Driven Pacing Strategy

Riding King of the Lake at a constant power output is not optimal. Using the platform’s auto-grouping feature, we divided the 27 segments of the course into intelligent, memorable groups and optimized for a pacing strategy that maximizes speed for our 230 W normalized power budget.

The core physics principle here is simple: over-pace (push higher watts) when your speed is low and under-pace (save watts) when your speed is high to avoid fighting exponential aerodynamic resistance.

By implementing the optimized power targets, athletes can tackle the distinct phases of the course perfectly:

• On climbs in Unterach, Parschallen, Nussdorf and Buchberg: Push. When the road points up, gravity is your primary enemy. The simulation recommends an over-pacing strategy of +33 W to +44 W above your reference power on the climbs.

• In tailwind conditions: Hold steady. In the first half along Lake Attersee, athletes will encounter tailwinds. The platform advises dropping below your reference power (-13 W). Tuck deep into your aerobars, shrink your frontal area, and let aerodynamics do the work.

• In headwind conditions: Hold steady but push more. The second half along Lake Attersee will get some headwinds. The platform advises dropping only slightly below your reference power (-4 W).

The Bottom Line: The overall impact of this strategic energy distribution is not massive, but still not to be overlooked. Deploying your energy precisely where the physics demands it allows you to complete the bike course 19 seconds faster for the exact same physical cost.

The optimal pacing strategy for the simulated rider setup, as presented by the Swiss Side Performance Platform.

Comparison between a constant power strategy and the optimized pacing strategy, as presented by the Swiss Side Performance Platform.

Get Your Personal Race-Day Strategy for King of the Lake

If you want to know more about the pacing and equipment choice for your personal profile and setup, try the Swiss Side Performance Platform.

You can purchase a single optimization event for the King of the Lake without any subscription commitment.

Stop relying on simplified rules of thumb or race-day guesswork. Input your specific weight, bike setup, and your power target to generate a customized, scientifically proven map to your next personal best.

Learn more about the Swiss Side Performance Platform here.