Weston,
Great question-thanks for posting it here on RacerX VT!
This is an issue that I see frequently-racing at an intensity that is below what you train during the week. Please wear your HR monitor the next time you race and evaluate the highest number achieved. Also, capture your resting heart rate in the morning after you have emptied your bladder and lay back down for 5 minutes.
Once you have this information, please email me directly at
robb3@earthlink.net. I will forward you a personalized heart rate spreadsheet that you can use for training on the motorcycle to train the appropriate energy systems relevant to your 15 minute sprint motos.
What most people don't realize is that your maximum heart rate will vary depending on your activity. For example, your maximum heart rate number will be lower while swimming than running. This is due to the hydrostatic pressure that is placed on your body; this helps bring the blood back to the heart which results in a lower maximum heart rate. Your running max heart rate will be higher than if you were cycling because you are using more muscles. By calculating your heart rate zones - specific to the sport, will result in a more effective training effort.
Regarding your point of fading, look at your calorie intake during the morning before the race. You can only store 60-90 minutes of sugar in your liver and muscles. You may be hitting a point during your race where you have depleted your sugar storages which results in the dreaded "late moto fatigue". If you would like a Food/Performance Log, please email me directly (
robb3@earthlink.net) and I will send you a free copy of what we use with all of our riders.
-Robb Beams/MotoE