The pathway to the top tier of cycling looks like a map of the London Underground. Starting at Club Network, the high-aspiring cyclist will be calling at the Development Centre, the Regional School of Racing, the National School of Racing, the Junior Academy, the Podium Programme and finally fame, glory and a summit finish victory in yellow on Mont Ventoux. At least that’s how the fairytale traditionally pans out. But how does the talent development system – within British Cycling and more broadly – find the best young riders out there and get them started at their journey’s beginning? And could the virtual world of indoor training and racing on smart-trainers be about to greatly broaden the reach of the talent-spotters?
Among the many elements of its programme – track skills, cyclo-cross, strength and conditioning, rollers sessions, nutritional advice, the list is a long one – BC has recruited the popular virtual cycling app Zwift to help identify talented young riders who have a real chance of cracking the professional cycling scene. Smart trainers provide an easy and effective way to track metrics in a controlled environment, and BC recently ran a pioneering pilot scheme in partnership with Zwift.
CW spoke to BC’s development coach Joe Malik to find out how he is using the ‘game’ to find super-talented 13-16-year-olds.
“It brings people together,” said Malik. “The riders who use it may get the opportunity to see each other only four or five times a year, but Zwift has the potential to bring them together more frequently, and the app even allows them to chat to each other.”
He is quick to point out that turbo training is just one piece of the pie, and that, in isolation, figures garnered from Zwift will not necessarily book you a place at the next Olympics.
This story is from the April 02, 2020 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 02, 2020 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JACOB TIPPER Adventures in Rio
Last week, I was at the Para-cycling Track World champs in Rio, working with a stalwart of the para-cycling scene and former minister of sport for Romania, Eduárd Novak. His first cycling Paralympics was Athens.
Paris Galibier
Eccentric but iconic English bike that’s still in production today
REDEFINING EASY
It’s well known that easy riding is the bedrock of endurance, but what exactly do we mean by ‘easy’? Charlie Allenby seeks clarification
Are all road bikes all-road bikes?
Is the bike industry trying to sell you the same bike twice?
KEEPING IT TEIDE
High altitudes, year-round sunshine – and intense demand from pro teams.
10 YEARS OF THE TRANS CONTINENTAL
The brainchild of British rider Mike Hall, the Transcontinental Race has become a must-do event for ultra-distance aficionados the world over. James Shrubsall charts its unconventional and epic rise to prominence
GB track team in form ahead of Paris 2024
Para-squad picks up record 32 medals at Rio Track Worlds, reports Tom Davidson
Pogačar: "I'm in the best shape ever"
Slovenian flexes his climbing legs in Catalunya, reports Chris Marshall-Bell in Barcelona
SD Worx-Protime take winning form to Flanders
Will strength in depth deliver the team to their third successive Ronde van Vlaanderen?
Can anyone stop WVA and MVDP at Flanders?
Cycling’s longstanding rivals will battle once again on Sunday. Can they be beaten?