Pacing a 20-Minute Functional Threshold Power Test: FTP Test #1
- Tim Cusick
- Dec 4, 2025
- 3 min read
Pacing during a 20-minute Functional Threshold Power (FTP) test is an art informed by science. If you go too hard at the start, you'll burn out, but if you go too easy, you won't hit your true potential. The most common mistake we see many cyclists make is starting the test too hard, driven by adrenaline or the desire to "bank watts." Unfortunately, this strategy often leads to premature fatigue and an underestimation of true threshold capacity. Let's break down the science of pacing and the reasons why holding back in the first few minutes is critical to achieving accurate results.