Route mapping and tracking app and website Strava have launched a new Effort Comparison tool, available to use now.

The tool allows users to compare their segment times against others, creating a virtual comparison on a map.

Strava Effort Comparison highlights, visually, where gains were made or seconds lost and allows users to compare against any other user – including the Strava pros.

The tool can even be used by people to compare two separate athletes on any of the segments – even if you have not ridden it yourself – for example, comparing Laurens ten Dam and Thibaut Pinot on the San Jeronimo Glorieta segment during stage four of the Vuelta a Espana.

Using the tool allows users to compare second-by-second stats, such as speed, heart rate and power while a gap maps the time gaps.

Premium members can customise and compare up to five athletes on any given segment via an easily filterable leaderboard.

For more information on the Effort Comparison tool, visit the Strava blog.