18-Week Cycling: FTP & Speed Build — Giacomo 2026
18-week power-focused cycling plan for an advanced cyclist post-ultra endurance block (ASA Epic). Raises FTP from ~165W to 185-200W through progressive sweet spot, threshold, and VO2max phases. Phases: Recovery (wks 1-2), Sweet Spot Base (wks 3-8, FTP test wk 3), Threshold Build (wks 9-13, FTP test wk 9), VO2max & Power (wks 14-17, FTP test wk 14), Consolidation (wk 18, final FTP test). Recovery weeks: 6, 12, 16. 3-4 riding days/week. Trainer sessions use power (% FTP). Outdoor Saturday rides use HR. Strength 1-2x/week.
Training phases:
Foundation
Build
Intensive
Recovery
Foundation The foundation phase takes care of the important basic endurance and subsequently prepares the basis for further more specialised training phases.
Build In the build-up phase, volumes are increased and specialised units are added. The build-up phase takes the momentum of the foundation phase, builds on it and leads purposefully to the intensive phase or the seasonal plateau.
Intensive In the intensive phase of a training season, the main aim is to add endurance, speed and efficiency to what is already there. The volumes remain high. High-intensity sessions and other specific workouts are regularly added.
Recovery The recovery phase or off-season is used for long-term regeneration after the hard race season. The distances and intensities are lower.
Zone types:
Heart rate
Power
Heart rate The intensities and efforts of the plan are based, among other things, on the heart rate during training. A heart rate monitor is required.
Power The intensities and efforts of the plan are calculated according to wattage, among other things. A power measurement device is required during training.
Performance level: Professional
Professional This plan is aimed at ambitious athletes and professionals who already have a high level of endurance and can tolerate higher volumes.
Applicability: Only the buyer
Only the buyer The plan may only be applied to the calendar of the training plan buyer. However, this can be done an unlimited number of times.
License: Tredict sales licence
Tredict sales licence This training plan is subject to the copyright of the training plan creator. The training plan may not be published, copied or redistributed without authorisation. The use of this training plan is limited to you or, if the right is granted in the properties of the training plan, to your athletes. Link to licence description
Giacomo Pistone
enthusiastic amarue
Including 2 weeks right of return!
This training plan works on the basis of measured wattage. Running activities require a power meter, such as a Stryd Footpod. Cycling activities benefit from power meter pedals, such as the Garmin Vector. Sensors from other manufacturers also work well. Tredict supports most modern sensors and training devices.

Learn more about Tredict with the glossary or read the blog.

Capacity values briefly explained
HRmax: The maximum heart rate your heart can deliver under very heavy load.

FTPa: Functional Threshold Pace - The maximum speed you can maintain for about an hour.

FTP: Functional Threshold Power - The maximum wattage you can maintain for about an hour.

The relative intensity values of a training session are converted into your personal absolute intensity values when using the plan, based on the capacity values. 70% HRmax thus become 140bpm, if your maximum heart rate in the capacity values is set to 200bpm.
Tredict's intensity calculation is based on the training duration, so the distance of the training plan changes according to your personal FTPa.
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Designed to sustain your endurance.