Understanding your Compound Score

The Compound Score answers a question every cyclist has asked: is it better to be powerful, or to be light? The answer — backed by research used in WorldTour talent identification — is that real-world performance depends on both, and the Compound Score captures them in a single number.

What the Compound Score measures

Compound Score (measured in W²/kg) is a peer-reviewed performance metric from Leo et al. (Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2023). It captures the fundamental trade-off between absolute power and power-to-weight ratio: it multiplies your 5-minute power by your 5-minute W/kg. One number that reflects both the size of your engine and its power density.

Because power counts twice, power gains have a squared effect on your score — a 10 W increase in 5-minute power typically raises your Compound Score more than losing a kilogram would.

Where to find it

1. From the home page, tap the Body grid
2. Your Compound Score appears on the Body page — tap it to open the full detail view

To generate a score you'll need a ride containing a solid 5-minute power effort, plus your weight in your profile. The detail page shows how your score is built from your 5-minute power and W/kg, your trend over time, a 30-day comparison, and where you sit against benchmarks — from Developing, through Recreational (800+), Club (1500+), and Competitive (2000+), up to WorldTour level (3110+).

The What-If calculator

The detail page includes a What-If calculator that lets you experiment: slide your 5-minute power up or your weight down and see how your projected score changes. It's a great way to see whether training or body composition is the more effective lever for you right now.

How to improve your Compound Score

• Target your 5-minute power directly with VO2max intervals (3–8 minute efforts)
• Remember the squared effect — chasing watts usually pays off more than chasing grams
• Improve body composition without sacrificing absolute power to lift your W/kg
• Track your per-ride score to see which training blocks produce the biggest jumps
• Expect your peak Compound Score to line up with peak race fitness — you can use it to time your form