Cycling’s Hyper-Performance Era Isn’t Slowing Down: Prestigious Records Are Falling
(Photo: Getty Images)
Updated February 24, 2026 11:12AM
Anyone who holds a Strava KOM, be warned: the peloton is coming to break a bunch more climbing records in 2026. Just this weekend, new fastest times were set on two signature climbs as the high-performance era of modern cycling continues to accelerate.
Del Toro Sets New Standard on Jebel Hafeet
On Saturday, Isaac del Toro of UAE Team Emirates XRG bettered teammate Adam Yates’ mark on the iconic Jebel Hafeet summit of the UAE Tour. The Mexican sensation went 41 seconds faster than Yates’ 2023 time, setting the new record at 25:32. Getty Images provides extensive coverage of Del Toro’s achievements.
Gen-Z Riders Dominate Alto de Malhão
One day later, Del Toro’s fellow young riders Juan Ayuso, Oscar Onley, and Paul Seixas all surpassed Alberto Contador’s previous best on the Algarve’s Alto de Malhão. The three riders lowered Contador’s 2016 mark of 6:48 to 6:39 in a grueling GC showdown on the steep 10 percent gradient.
The Science Behind the Speed
Hyper-fueling strategies, aerodynamic refinements, and advancements in training science contributed to the record-breaking performances throughout 2025, and their impact is already evident in 2026. Riders are arriving at races in peak condition, with further gains expected as the season progresses. Altitude training camps and the intensity of racing will continue to push power output higher and body mass lower.
Power Numbers Reveal the Trend
While climbing record times can be influenced by factors like wind and race tactics, data supports the peloton’s strong start to the season. Oscar Onley shared his Strava data, revealing an average of 500 watts on the Malhão. For the 62kg climber, this equates to approximately 8 watts per kilogram for nearly seven minutes.
Velon estimated that Isaac del Toro averaged 470 watts over the final 9:21 of the UAE Tour’s Jebel Mobrah climb, translating to around 7.3 watts per kilogram for the 64kg rider. Velon CC shared data on Del Toro’s performance.
Data from “ammattipyöräily” suggests Tobias Halland Johannessen averaged around 6.5w/kg for both 25-minute summit finishes in the UAE Tour. These performances were only good enough for top-10 finishes – and it’s still February.
What Does It All Imply?
The record times set by Del Toro, Onley, Seixas, and Ayuso are a result of both physiological performance and external factors. Technological advancements, environmental conditions, and race tactics all play a role. However, the power data emerging from recent races indicates a clear trend: cycling performance is reaching new heights.
For context, Tadej Pogačar’s winning ride up Mont Ventoux in 2025, at 6.4 w/kg for 54 minutes, is considered a benchmark. His 475-watt obliteration of the Tour’s climbing time trial on Peyragudes [7.5w/kg for 17:19] sets a high bar for Del Toro and Onley’s numbers.
Del Toro and his contemporaries’ performances in the UAE and Algarve are indicative of riders fresh out of the off-season. Their performances are expected to improve with each race and successive trip to altitude.
Expect new climbing records and personal bests to be reported throughout the 2026 season. Getty Images will continue to document these achievements.
Isaac del Toro Romero, born November 27, 2003, currently rides for UAE Team Emirates XRG. He won the 2023 Tour de l’Avenir and the young rider classification at the 2025 Giro d’Italia, with one stage win. Wikipedia provides a detailed biography.