The tactics and training methods of the pros often seem out of reach. But a closer look shows how much we can take away for our own rides.
Anyone watching the pros on the road, off-road or on gravel often only sees the spectacular victories. But behind the successes lie tangible strategies that can be transferred surprisingly well to your own training. Whether it is about dealing with setbacks, the right preparation after injuries or choosing the right equipment – current developments in professional sport offer plenty of inspiration for your own leisure time on the bike.
A major topic in the pro circus is returning after breaks or injuries. As the cycling portal Cyclingnews reports, the example of British rider Lauren Dickson impressively shows what effective training after a setback can look like. After a broken collarbone at the race in Switzerland, she fought her way back, including through intensive training on the home trainer. The result: a strong sixth place on the queen stage of the Tour of Britain Women and the mountain jersey. This shows that structured indoor training is an excellent way to minimise loss of form during an injury-related break.
Altitude training is also gaining in importance. Rider Josie Nelson explained to Cyclingnews that she has noticeably gained consistency and climbing strength this season through her first altitude training camp. For recreational athletes, it does not have to be the high mountains straight away, but a targeted focus on higher training volumes and continuous loads can also be implemented in the flatlands or on hills on your doorstep.
A strong trend in modern cycling is switching between disciplines. Pros like Mathieu van der Poel or Kate Courtney show that looking beyond the horizon of your own special discipline brings enormous benefits. According to reports from Velo by Outside, Van der Poel uses Mountain Bike World Cups as preparation for World Championships, while former Mountain Bike World Champion Kate Courtney is successfully making the step into road cycling. According to her sports director Lars Boom, she already brings an extreme amount of knowledge about preparation and training, but has to get used to the hectic riding in the peloton and positioning on the road.
For you, this means: monotony slows down progress. If you usually only ride a road bike, a round on a mountain bike or gravel bike can set new coordinative stimuli, improve riding technique and reignite the fun of training.
It does not always have to be the most expensive carbon model. In the Velo Podcast, experts recently discussed the Cannondale CAAD14 aluminium road bike. The conclusion: a well-designed aluminium bike with character and a harmonious ride feel can be an excellent alternative to cheap carbon frames for beginners and price-conscious riders. It is much more important that the bike fits your own needs than blindly chasing the most expensive trend.
Tactically, too, you can learn from the pros how to manage your strength. At the Vuelta a Espana, according to reports from Cyclingnews and Velo by Outside, Ethan Hayter tried to capture the red jersey via an early breakaway. Although he secured bonus seconds, he lost over 30 seconds in the tough finale because the energy invested was missing at the end. This shows: if you waste your energy too early without thinking, you pay the price in the end. So pace your energy well on long rides.
Your takeaway: Use targeted alternative training during breaks, set new stimuli by changing disciplines and pace your energy wisely from the start.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.