THE FOCUS RIGHT NOW
BUILD THE ENGINE.
Twelve weeks out, you're still building the base — but specific structure is starting to appear. Tempo work enters the picture one day a week. Long rides get longer. This is where the event-specific fitness starts to take shape without compromising your aerobic foundation.
THIS WEEK'S ANCHOR SESSION
TEMPO SANDWICH
2x20min at tempo (76-88% FTP) inside a 2-hour Z2 ride. Steady, controlled, not a time trial. This is your first taste of extended race-pace efforts.
EVENT INTEL
WHAT THE MALLORCA 312 ACTUALLY DEMANDS
The Mallorca 312 is spring's most talked-about sportive — 312km around Mallorca with 5,000m+ of climbing, including the classic Tramuntana climbs that define road cycling on the island. Runs in late April. Open-road format, closed to traffic in parts. Route varies year to year; some editions include Sa Calobra, others do not.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS
- ✓Tramuntana range — Puig Major, Coll de Sóller, Coll dels Reis stacked early
- ✓Sa Calobra features in some editions: ~10km descent to the sea then ~10km climb back out at 7% average
- ✓312km distance means fuelling strategy determines who finishes
- ✓Three distance options: 312km, 225km, 167km — pick realistically
- ✓Weather shift from cold morning climbs to afternoon Mediterranean heat
COMMON MISTAKES
- ✕Choosing the 312 because you've done other long sportives — Mallorca's combination of distance + heat is different
- ✕Underfuelling the first 80km because the climbing starts easy
- ✕Forgetting Sa Calobra is a ~7% sustained climb, not a gentle return — many riders bonk here when it's on the route
PACING
The 312 is a fueling problem more than a fitness one. Pace the opening 100km at 60-65% FTP maximum. Ride the middle 100km conservatively with strict carb/fluid discipline. The last 100km is where preparation shows — those who fuelled correctly can even push. Arrive at the final named climb with reserves, not red-lined.
FUELLING
10+ hours means 80g carbs/hour minimum, 100g if gut-trained. 500-750ml fluid/hour once the heat kicks in. Food at every aid station on the route — don't skip any. Electrolytes become dominant after hour 6. A 'second breakfast' at the Pollença aid stop (km 80) is a classic move.
KIT
Long-finger gloves + gilet for the first two hours (cold on the climbs pre-dawn). 34x30 minimum, 34x32 recommended for Sa Calobra late in the day. Extra bottle cages or a frame bag for the long desert-like middle section.
WANT THIS BUILT AROUND YOUR FTP?
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OTHER PHASES FOR THE MALLORCA 312