Capricorn Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 been watching the pittalk, and post qualifying runs interviews, and i'm beginning to wonder if this year's racing, thanks to TWR, has put a focus back on physical fitness. I'd like to premise that by an opinion that the bikes are within a second of each other if ridden by the same rider (look, we all know any of those WC nutters could race a trolley down those tracks and still whip us on our finest of DH machines! ).Which means that Gwin (2nd on grid) and Moseley (pole position) have become monsters in the gym, and on the track. just listened to hottie Rachel Atherton remark just how smashed she was coming off her 2nd run during qualifying (15sec back off pole), and the same from Florian Pugin: tired, hurt, track felt really long, couldnt hold on etc etc.. I guess this ties in with that other thread here on thehub asking about training regimes. An DHers wanna weigh in on exactly how much training has improved their times, or how the lack of it has shaken their confidence when out riding?
LazyTrailRider Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 I guess I can't really comment from the real world these days, but back when I still raced, courses were a lot less technical, and a lot more focused on physical fitness. Back then, I had full-on XC and road training going, and found that it made a huge difference to my performance. As I said to someone the other day, when I'm unfit (like I am now) I can't even ride all the way down Tokai on the XC lines properly, because I simply don't have enough stamina to pump, hop, manual, and push into obstacles like I should be doing... I think the same holds true for WC DH riders, the fitter they are, the longer they're able to ride 100% focused and perfectly flowing the whole run - it sounds like it wouldn't take much fitness to get to that point, but I reckon it's a *huge* effort on the courses of today. Like you were saying, many of them complain about not being able to hold on properly towards the end. There's no way you can go at your fastest if you're tired. Also, I have a suspicion that we shouldn't underestimate Johnny T's involvement with Mr Gwin. Tomac's old-school approach to fitness, conditioning and mental focus could very well be the differentiating factor for him this year!
Capricorn Posted July 2, 2011 Author Posted July 2, 2011 good point on the Johnny T influence MH, as a pit talk discussion at a previous WC race suggested a closer look at Gwin's training regime. I know it's pretty obvious that you need to be fit to ride DH, but the change in gwin's performance from last year to this year is MASSIVE! Same for Moseley.
nigelhicks Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Its ALL about fitness ... those courses are absolutely brutal on your body! Fort William cus its SO rough! and Mt St Anne cus its so FAST AND ROUGH (not as rough as Ft Bill ... but still rough!)! Most of the guys upper body training is in the gym ... with a lot of XC and Road riding as MH said ... If you not endurance fit in your legs and arms you'll never hold on ... also add to that the sprint training (BMX-style) needed for the power bursts and you have a MAD training schedule. Id say gwin is on a proper Moto-style training schedule and thats what made the change this year
kosmonooit Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Also Gwin never seems to rest on his laurels - always post race / win says how he could have improved here or there, so its also attitude. Tracey def. seems to have benefited from doing the Epic this year, that's given her great form. She has even done a XC race, so maybe cross training or doing something else, has helped her core sport. The lady who won the 4X yesterday also commented on that.
CAAD4 Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 been watching the pittalk, and post qualifying runs interviews, and i'm beginning to wonder if this year's racing, thanks to TWR, has put a focus back on physical fitness. I'd like to premise that by an opinion that the bikes are within a second of each other if ridden by the same rider (look, we all know any of those WC nutters could race a trolley down those tracks and still whip us on our finest of DH machines! ).Which means that Gwin (2nd on grid) and Moseley (pole position) have become monsters in the gym, and on the track. just listened to hottie Rachel Atherton remark just how smashed she was coming off her 2nd run during qualifying (15sec back off pole), and the same from Florian Pugin: tired, hurt, track felt really long, couldnt hold on etc etc.. Haven't seen her in a while. Has she lost 20kg and become a hottie?
Capricorn Posted July 4, 2011 Author Posted July 4, 2011 (edited) Haven't seen her in a while. Has she lost 20kg and become a hottie? you calling her fat? i htink you thinking of Jonnier? Rachel's always been hot, IMO of course Nige: what's a moto-style training schedule like? I've zero clue on all things moto. Edited July 4, 2011 by Capricorn
nigelhicks Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Nige: what's a moto-style training schedule like? I've zero clue on all things moto. me too - hahaha only ridden a mx bike once in my life - and it scared the **** out of me! ... BUT i do know that MX training is ALL about upper body strength and stanima. Which equates to lots of time spent at the gym doing weights. Not heavy stuff - just light to medium weights but doing tons of reps to lessen fatigue from arm pump etc. Then running, interval training, and then doing tons of endurance training too. I know that Mr Minn sometimes does like a 60km odd mtb ride in the morning followed by a gym session ... then a snooze at like lunch time then either goes for a paddle or a MX ride or back to the gym in the PM ... TONS of upper body strength workout there! I look at my MX mates and they do similar stuff - 2 gym sessions a day with weights AM and then super circut PM ... then the next day will be a MX session at the track doing timed motos (after going for a run in the AM) EISH ... takes some dedication to be that good!
Capricorn Posted July 4, 2011 Author Posted July 4, 2011 holy sherbet:sounds like a pukefest! but as you said: it's part of being dedicated to wanting to be the best.
PhilipV Posted July 23, 2011 Posted July 23, 2011 Well as far as I know Gwinn came from an MX background, so wouldn't be surprised to see that incorporated in his training. And Needles is always in the gym for the last couple of off-seasons. His form has also improved. And he used to ride for TWR. So I also think the guys are training harder.
Capricorn Posted July 23, 2011 Author Posted July 23, 2011 i get this impression needles is not short anything physical if you know what I'm saying. Hardly crashes, hardly any mechanicals, styles for miles, but... As for moto type training: sounds really good, although goin on Nige's post, it really seems a pukefest.
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