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The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of pedalling rate on cycling efficiency in road cyclists. Seven competitive road cyclists participated in the study. Four separate experimental sessions were used to determine oxygen uptake (V˙O₂) and carbon dioxide output (V˙CO₂) at six exercise intensities that elicited a V˙O₂ equivalent to 54, 63, 73, 80, 87 and 93% of maximum V˙O₂ (V˙O_2max). Exercise intensities were administered in random order, separated by rest periods of 3–5 min; four pedalling frequencies (60, 80, 100 and 120 rpm) were randomly tested per intensity. The oxygen cost of cycling was always lower when the exercise was performed at 60 rpm. At each exercise intensity, V˙O₂ showed a parabolic dependence on pedalling rate (r = 0.99–1, all P < 0.01) with a curvature that flattened as intensity increased. Likewise, the relationship between power output and gross …