Rider Type · Data-Derived
Diesel / Rouleur
Consistent across the ride. Aerobic engine that keeps firing late in the day.
Over 22 rides and 215 segment results in 2026, Jim Palmer averaged in the top 56% of the field, with a +7 percentile points (improves!) from the opening segments to the late-ride segments.
Over 22 rides and 215 segment results in 2026, Jim Palmer averaged in the top 56% of the field, with a +7 percentile points (improves!) 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 61% avg →
Late (S07+): top 54% avg ·
Swing: +7 percentile points (improves!)
Performance by Segment Type
By Distance
<0.4km (n=75 · 356W avg)
Top 60%
0.4–0.8km (n=84 · 321W avg)
Top 54%
>0.8km (n=56 · 283W avg)
Top 53%
By Gradient
<6% flat (n=48 · 322W avg)
Top 55%
6–10% mod (n=89 · 316W avg)
Top 56%
10–13% steep (n=60 · 336W avg)
Top 56%
>13% wall (n=17 · 321W avg)
Top 57%
Effort Profile
Punchy <0.45km ≥9% (n=54)
Top 59%
Threshold ≥0.7km ≥5% (n=54)
Top 53%
Peak Performances — Best 5 Segments
| Rank | Segment | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/53 | Vista Verde (Egan Official) Ramona to Old Spanish | 0.41 km | 13.5% |
| 11/68 | Briones climb | 0.39 km | 8.1% |
| 11/58 | Arastradero 280 Steep Sprint | 0.42 km | 7.4% |
| 12/61 | Deerfield Drive up | 0.24 km | 9.1% |
| 20/71 | Black Mtn Rd. | 0.83 km | 5.6% |
Toughest Moments — Worst 5 Segments
| Rank | Segment | Distance | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60/60 | Deerfield Drive up | 0.24 km | 9.1% |
| 57/60 | Valley View from Border | 0.31 km | 8.1% |
| 33/37 | Golden Hills-Fawn-Cervantes peak | 1.7 km | 5.9% |
| 54/62 | La Cresta - full length | 1.64 km | 5.0% |
| 47/56 | Morro Vista | 0.25 km | 8.1% |
What the Data Suggests
💪
Strengths to Protect
Exceptional repeatability — the engine keeps firing deep into the ride. Late-ride performance (top 54%) is actually stronger 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 59% vs top 53%) 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: 370W → 304W (-18%) — 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 Jim across multiple rides (≥2 encounters).
🏴
Nemesis
James Robinson
1–3 in 4 encounters · 25% wins
⚔️
Rival
Michael Muhler
2–2 in 4 encounters · 50% wins
🎯
Prey
Thomas U
3–1 in 4 encounters · 75% wins
| Rider | Encounters | Jim record | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎯 Thomas U | 4 | 3–1 | 75% |
| 🎯 Tony Sarathchandra | 4 | 3–1 | 75% |
| ⚔️ Michael Muhler | 4 | 2–2 | 50% |
| ⚔️ Robert Ragno | 4 | 2–2 | 50% |
| 🏴 James Robinson | 4 | 1–3 | 25% |
| 🏴 Christophe Testi 🇫🇷 🇺🇸 | 4 | 1–3 | 25% |
| 🎯 Kelvin Tam | 3 | 2–1 | 67% |
| 🎯 Ghislain Gackiere | 2 | 2–0 | 100% |
| ⚔️ Otto Jolanki | 2 | 1–1 | 50% |
| ⚔️ Nikhil Sharma | 2 | 1–1 | 50% |
| ⚔️ Silas Willis | 2 | 1–1 | 50% |
| ⚔️ Derek Knowles | 2 | 1–1 | 50% |
| 🏴 Christoph Zorich | 2 | 0–2 | 0% |