Cycling: It's mid-March - and the bikes are standing still. The coronavirus is currently affecting our entire society. But even if there are currently no bike races taking place, the pros keep fit.
The teams continue to train - if necessary also at home
Probably no professional group is currently unimpressed by the effects of the corona virus. Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke of the greatest challenge since the Second World War and of restrictions that have never existed in the Federal Republic. Of course, the professional cyclists are also affected. This is not just limited to the fact that there are currently no races. Because training is also made more difficult in the current situation. Different laws apply in different countries. In some places, professionals are not allowed to leave their homes. You are dependent on training in your own four walls. Dan Lorang, head coach at Bora - hansgrohe, spoke about this in an interview on the team's website.
Dan Lorang:
“The training is currently similar to winter training. For example, we have had very good experiences with so-called polarized training, which is a combination of low-intensity, long endurance units and high-intensity, short training intervals. Of course, that only applies as long as you can still drive outside.”
Sport takes a back seat
Although many professionals live for their cycling and have to subordinate everything to it during their career, the same applies to them at the moment: There are more important things in life! Paul Martens (Jumbo – Visma), for example, drove his last race to date at the end of February. Instead of fighting for good results on the streets in the middle of the season, the father of two takes care of his children as a teacher and entertainer. Max Walscheid (NTT) is currently recovering from a broken hand and would not have been able to contest any races anyway. Nevertheless, the corona virus is also changing his everyday life. The two German professionals gave radsport-news.com an insight with their statements.
Paul Martens:
"Sport is currently in the background, we have to stick to the rules. I still cycle regularly at the moment, but not really according to a training scheme. Any objectives have been put on hold for the time being.”
Max Walscheid:
“I take the matter very seriously. I think each of us has a duty to protect our environment. I try to implement the official guidelines as well as possible: stay at home, protect risk groups.”
Even the UCI does not know how to proceed
While the professionals continue to train on deserted roads or their wheels, even the world cycling association does not know when the next races will take place. UCI boss David Lappartient announced that the road cycling season could be extended by two weeks. In addition, there is the possibility that Tour of Italy and to deliver the monuments in the fall. All races that are currently being postponed will hardly find a place in the newly designed UCI calendar. After all, the schedule at the end of the season is pretty packed.
David Lappartient:
“In the coming days and weeks we will be working on redesigning the calendar. But of course that depends on how the epidemic develops.”
📝 INTERVIEW WITH HEAD COACH DAN LORANG
"It doesn't just depend on training. It's also about mental strength."
Corona virus has the world under its grasp. We talked to sports scientist Dan Lorang about how riders are training without concrete goals 👉🏼 https://t.co/XE73xi5c4e pic.twitter.com/wCn4KpPUoV
- BORA - hansgrohe (@BORAhansgrohe) March 19, 2020