The power output achieved at peak oxygen consumption (V[O.sub.2]peak) and the time this power can be maintained (i.e., Tmax) have been used in prescribing high-intensity interval training. In this context, the present study examined temporal aspects of the V[O.sub.2] response to exercise at the cycling power that output well trained cyclists achieve their V[O.sub.2]peak (i.e., Pmax). Following a progressive exercise test to determine V[O.sub.2]peak, 43 well trained male cyclists (M age = 25 years, SD = 6; M mass = 75 kg, SD = 7; M V[O.sub.2] peak = 64.8 ml x [kg.sup.-1] x [min.sup.-1], SD = 5.2) performed two Tmax tests 1 week apart. Values expressed for each participant are means and standard deviations of these two tests. Participants achieved a mean V[O.sub.2]peak during the Tmax test after 176 s (SD = 40; M = 74% of Tmax, SD = 12) and maintained it for 66 s (SD = 39; M = 26% of Tmax, SD = 12). Additionally, they obtained mean 95% of V[O.sub.2]peak after 147 s (SD = 31; M = 62% of Tmax, SD = 8) and maintained it for 95 s (SD = 38; M = 38% of Tmax, SD = 8). These results suggest that 60-70% of Tmax is an appropriate exercise duration for a population of well trained cyclists to attain V[O.sub.2]peak during exercise at Pmax. However, due to intraparticipant variability in the temporal aspects of the V[O.sub.2] response to exercise at Pmax, future research is needed to examine whether individual high-intensity interval training programs for well trained endurance athletes might best be prescribed according to an athlete's individual V[O.sub.2] response to exercise at Pmax.