Pro Interviews: How Pro Mountain Bikers Trained for USAC Nationals (Ask a Cycling Coach 315)

TL;DR

Cyclists discuss their training methods and strategies for the upcoming Cross Country Nationals race.

Transcript

Did you do anything special to prepare for the course a little bit? Uh, it's kind of advantageous that we erased, uh, more or less the same course in 2019. Um, so sort of, um, my coach and I had Jim Leman, we've been tailoring our, um, intervals to sort of match the demands of what the course in the winter park brings. Um, so a lot of like eight to... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Training methods for Cross Country Nationals vary, with some focusing on replicating the course through specific intervals and others prioritizing overall aerobic fitness.
• 🧗 Climbing and descending skills are crucial for success in the race, and many cyclists have incorporated these elements into their training.
• 🥳 The unpredictable nature of race day necessitates training efforts with changes in pace and adapting to different intensities.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the cyclists train specifically for the Cross Country Nationals course?

The cyclists have been tailoring their training to match the demands of the course, doing intervals to build upper threshold power and short recovery times. They have also done race-specific efforts with changes in pace.

Q: What strategies did the cyclists use to prepare for the race?

The cyclists focused on riding their mountain bikes to get used to the position and feel of the course. They also worked on their aerobic fitness and altitude training, as the course is climb-heavy and at elevation.

Q: Did the cyclists do anything different in their training leading up to the race?

Some cyclists adjusted their training to focus on later world cups and world championships. However, they still incorporated race-specific efforts and backed off in the week before the race to allow their bodies to recover.

Q: Did the cyclists make any changes to their equipment for the race?

Most cyclists stuck with their primary mountain bikes, focusing on becoming familiar with the feel of the course. However, some mentioned the possibility of racing on a hardtail or full suspension, depending on the conditions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The cyclists have been tailoring their training to match the demands of the Cross Country Nationals course, focusing on building upper threshold power and short recovery times.

• They have been doing race-specific efforts, including intervals with changes in pace, to prepare for the unpredictable nature of race day.

• Some cyclists have prioritized riding their mountain bikes to get used to the position and feel of the course, while others have focused on aerobic fitness and altitude training.