After a period of rest, synonymous with holidays for riders, the season kicks off in early December. The entire AG2R CITROËN team begins its winter training camp. They head to Spain and the Valencia region for 15 days of intensive training.
Laying the foundations for the season during the preparation camp
The AG2R CITROËN team has set up shop in Gandia, a seaside town in the summer that is deserted in winter. The season has only just begun, but future results will be built in winter.
Any ambitious project requires a solid foundation. Laying the physical and strategic foundations to project your goals.
This first gathering allows us to work on two aspects: the first is athletic, through training sessions, and the second is sporting, where rider their season calendar (goals) and support structure (personalized meeting with the sporting, medical, and performance management teams).
It's the start of the season.
The performance cell
Performance is based on different areas such as nutrition, physical and mental preparation and equipment. Each area contributes to the building.
The performance unit is composed of four coaches (Alexandre Abel, David Giraud, Stephen Barrett) and a performance director (Jean-Baptiste Quiclet). The team then relies on external experts to provide the skills needed for high-level sport.
The first axis - Nutrition:
Julien Louis, nutritionist, teacher and researcher at the University of Liverpool, (who has played for Liverpool Football Club and the French soccer team) provides training and creates nutritional profiles.
The2nd axis: testing:
Yann Bertron, data analyst and doctoral student in sports science, works with the performance unit to evaluate riders. These results will be analyzed and used to define strategies for preparing for the season.
The3rd axis: physical and mental preparation.
Enzo Birgy, physical trainer for the French Olympic mountain biking team, is in charge of strength training. This will be the most intense period of the season for the riders.
At the same time, a psychologist and mental coach conducts interviews and workshops to train and monitor the riders. They will be involved throughout the season.
The4th axis: bike-fitting,
Alexandre Pacot, a bike fitter, is responsible for optimizing the ergonomics between the rider their equipment.
The 5th axis: the optimization of the material
Experts from the team's technical partners join the team during the internship. This is an important step in order to optimize the existing needs but also to work on the development of new features.
As you can see, the riders back at school and tackling one subject after another.
How is the preparation course organized?
The course is divided into three blocks to meet the needs of a professional cycling team.
The first block is dedicated to communication and marketing. During the first few days of the training camp, riders training with photo and video shoots to produce all the content needed for the season. riders divided into groups and have dedicated time for content production. This content will be used to fuel communication for the team, riders, partners, and the media.
Thesecond block focuses on qualitative work. The goal is to go into detail about the sessions based on the initial objectives for the season. riders strength and speed, maximum aerobic power (MAP) sessions, sprinting, and explosiveness.
Thethird and final block of the training course will focus on building the rider endurance base rider they can perform well throughout the season and cope with the demands of racing. The sessions will be extended by a few hours, while continuing to include specific exercises such as time trials and scooter training.
How are the training plans of professional riders adapted?
Managing a team of 30 riders precise organization and flexible resources. Depending on race schedules or injuries, riders all finish the season at the same time. This means that their levels are naturally not all the same. It is therefore necessary to provide individualized support during this first meeting.
Before the course:
After a winter break, riders back into shape in consultation with the performance team and according to their goals. For example, riders will be competing in races in Australia will already be well advanced in their preparation so that they are ready to race at World Tour level in mid-January. Another example is Clément Venturini, who is competing in around ten cyclo-cross races with the aim of reaching his peak fitness for the World Championships in Hoogerheide (Netherlands/February 5).
riders generally riders other sports (running, trail running, cross-country skiing) or quickly return to cycling for pleasure.
According to the analysis of the month before the arrival of the training course, the performance unit will define the general physical preparation plan.
During the course:
During the training camp, riders a series of tests. By monitoring their physiological values and subjective feedback, coaches will refine the initial plan.
What are the lessons learned from this first preparation course?
Prepare: Athletes have laid the groundwork and have a good starting point for the season's preparation. Analysis of the data will help refine their preparation.
Support: this first meeting is essential in supporting and listening to riders. The team ensures that the athletes have had time to chat and talk with riders and with the staff, so that they can get off to a good start.
Adaptation: the training course influences the priorities for the following weeks and allows them to review the construction of their first part of the season.
All we have to do now is wait for the first bib and dream of the next victories.
