Despite the frequency of pros using platforms like Strava, in-race power data remains surprisingly scarce, with many pros choosing to keep their numbers under wraps.
Escape staff, Cor Vos
On stage 6 of this year’s Tour de France, we got a rare insight into what it takes to win a Grand Tour stage when Ben Healy uploaded his ride, complete with power data, to Strava. It made for fascinating reading and added valuable context for understanding his performance, showcasing just how hard it is to win at the highest level of the sport.
Watching the stage live, part of my excitement came from knowing that, unlike most of the peloton, Healy might actually show us the complete numbers behind the effort. While many riders post ride files from training and races to Strava, it’s less common for a rider to share power data (a setting on Strava allows riders to choose what to share). In a sport that craves transparency and credibility, why do so many riders still choose to keep their data hidden?
Some riders, like Healy and his EF Education-EasyPost teammate Neilson Powless, have embraced openness, routinely uploading complete files that give fans a window into the physical toll of racing. It’s through these athletes that I’m able to dig into the demands of the biggest races on the calendar.
I’m not alone in wanting more riders to share their data. After stage 6, former Tour de France stage winner Lilian Calmejane took to X to commend both Healy and Quinn Simmons for uploading their full files from their day in the breakaway. For Calmejane, public data boosts the sport’s credibility, a clear signal to fans that riders have nothing to hide.
Merci aux rares coureurs de partager vos données (watts/fc/cadence/tss). Plus de transparence = plus de crédibilité 👍🏼
Simmons 🥈 hier, 4h26 à 336W (391 NP) et 160bpm moyen ! Du très très haut niveau 🤯🤯🤯— Lilian Calmejane (@L_Calmejane) July 11, 2025
But in reality, the reasons many riders choose privacy go far beyond just avoiding scrutiny and touch on everything from contract negotiations to competitive advantage.
In this camp, I’ll admit I’m part of the problem. As someone who pores over race files whenever they’re shared and more often than not writes about them here, I understand the fascination, but I also acknowledge why riders might think twice about uploading their data and inviting that scrutiny.
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