Rider Type · Data-Derived
Diesel / Rouleur
Consistent across the ride. Aerobic engine that keeps firing late in the day.
Over 13 rides and 40 segment results in 2026, Donald Hersam averaged in the top 9% of the field, with a −2 percentile points from the opening segments to the late-ride segments.
Over 13 rides and 40 segment results in 2026, Donald Hersam averaged in the top 9% of the field, with a −2 percentile points from the opening segments to the late-ride segments.
Fatigue Pattern — Field Percentile by Segment Position
Average field percentile per segment slot (lower = better; bar height = how far back)
Opening (S01–S02): top 8% avg →
Late (S07+): top 10% avg ·
Swing: −2 percentile points
Performance by Segment Type
By Distance
<0.4km (n=21 · 559W avg)
Top 10%
0.4–0.8km (n=13 · 480W avg)
Top 8%
>0.8km (n=6 · 379W avg)
Top 7%
By Gradient
<6% flat (n=11 · 533W avg)
Top 9%
6–10% mod (n=14 · 464W avg)
Top 9%
10–13% steep (n=13 · 550W avg)
Top 10%
>13% wall (n=2 · 505W avg)
Top 7%
Effort Profile
Punchy <0.45km ≥9% (n=12)
Top 10%
Threshold ≥0.7km ≥5% (n=6)
Top 7%
Peak Performances — Best 5 Segments
| Rank | Segment | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/42 | La Paloma from Westwind | 0.55 km | 6.9% |
| 2/63 | Magdalena: Frampton_to_Stonebrook | 0.63 km | 6.6% |
| 2/59 | Valley View from Border | 0.31 km | 8.1% |
| 4/105 | Liddicoat + Stanford | 0.4 km | 10.0% |
| 4/100 | St. Francis to La Cresta | 0.49 km | 6.9% |
Toughest Moments — Worst 5 Segments
| Rank | Segment | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22/66 | La Rena Climb | 0.35 km | 7.3% |
| 18/66 | Emeraldhill Lane | 0.12 km | 12.3% |
| 10/54 | Sarahills Dr. (East) | 0.62 km | 9.6% |
| 12/66 | A little bit Country | 0.33 km | 11.3% |
| 10/58 | fulll Whitham Avenue | 0.43 km | 5.4% |
What the Data Suggests
💪
Strengths to Protect
Exceptional repeatability — the engine keeps firing deep into the ride. Late-ride performance (top 10%) is actually close to the opening. Thrives on rides with high segment counts where rivals are already fading. The aerobic base is the asset — protect it.
🎯
Development Area
Peak power and short-burst acceleration. The punch/threshold gap (top 10% vs top 7%) shows where the ceiling is on explosive efforts. Sprint intervals and over-under VO2max work would add a new gear without eroding the aerobic base. The diesel engine is built — adding a turbo is the next step.
📊
The Real Enemy
Absolute peak power output, not endurance. The engine runs clean all day but the rev ceiling is the constraint. Watts from early to late: 584W → 487W (-17%) — barely any drop, which is the signature. The rival who fades less than everyone else still loses to a rider who never needed to fade.
Pack Battle — Rivals Within 15 Seconds
Same-gender riders finishing within 15 s of Donald across multiple rides (≥2 encounters).
⚔️
Rival
Matin Massoudi
4–3 in 7 encounters · 57% wins
| Rider | Encounters | Donald record | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⚔️ Matin Massoudi | 7 | 4–3 | 57% |
| ⚔️ Wil Gibb | 2 | 1–1 | 50% |