Update from South Africa
Time is flying by. In just under 4 weeks, the first mountain bike race of the season is already approaching. Our athletes have been and still are diligently preparing for the 2024 season. Currently, Luca and Fabio are in the heat of South Africa. In this newsletter, we take a look behind the scenes at what the two are up to.
South Africa has become a popular destination for mountain bikers in recent years. Breathtaking landscapes, flowing trails, and, especially compared to Europe at the moment, heat. South Africa is ideal for the increasingly popular concept of heat training. That's exactly what Fabio and Luca wanted to take advantage of this year.
What is your specific goal for the training camp in South Africa?
The first two World Cups will already be in Brazil in April. So, now is the ideal time to have a significant training block and simultaneously acclimate to the temperatures.
2. What are the temperatures like, and how have you adjusted?
The daytime highs were up to about 40°C. There were also days with only 25°C. So, even on the coldest days, we didn't need long jerseys. We quickly got used to it, and after a few days, it became normal. Nevertheless, there were always training sessions that made us sweat.
3. How does the heat affect your physical condition and performance?
In the heat, you have a higher heart rate, but that improved over time as the body learned to cool itself. During training, we measure core body temperature. Once it approaches 40°C, it's clear that there is a decrease in performance.
4. What does your daily routine look like now?
The days are very variable. Sometimes we train twice a day, including some longer sessions. The daily routine is not much different from our normal training routine. We try to start a bit earlier on the hotter days.
5. You are currently undergoing some performance tests with the national team, what is that about?
Usually, we conduct performance tests under laboratory conditions. Here, we have the opportunity to perform various tests in the field. Our national coach is also a sports scientist. Additionally, we are conducting various equipment tests.
6. What do you do on rest days?
On rest days, we visit various tourist attractions. We went to the "Cape of Good Hope," hiked up Lions Head, or visited the penguins on the Indian Ocean coast. Of course, a coffee stop is always part of a rest day.
7. How is your form? Do you feel ready for the upcoming season?
We feel pretty good and are confident that we are ready for the start of the season.
8. How much longer will you be in South Africa?
Our return flight is on February 19th, so we will have been in Stellenbosch for a total of 3.5 weeks.
And already on March 10th, the season begins for Nick with the Argovia Cup race in Capriasca. One week later, the Swiss Cup series kicks off with the race in Gränichen, followed by Monte Tamaro a week after that! All results and news can be found on our website and in our newsletter!