Olympic Development Programme - February Training Camp.

 

28 February 2006 | Words Phil Ingham | Pics Phil Ingham & Larry Hickmott

The February half-term break brought twenty-one of the country's best young riders to Manchester for a week on intensive activity as the Olympic Development Programme (ODP) class of 2006 got down to some serious training.

 

Team Pursuit Action

The Olympic Development Programme is the first formal rung on the GB Cycling Team's ladder of athlete development. The Olympic Talent team, which underpins the OPD is essentially a regionalised talent recognition and assessment programme, but the ODP is a full-on coaching and development programme with tough qualification criteria and even tougher goals. It demands similar levels of commitment and discipline from riders to the Olympic Academy Programme (18 - 23 year olds) and the elite Olympic Podium Programme, which contains our World and Olympic medal winning stars.

The ODP age group - 17 and 18 year olds - is closely aligned with the traditional "Junior" category. Ideally the team likes to have these two full years to work with riders, but there are some second year juniors new on the programme this year. Riders are generally inducted into the programme in the Autumn.

 

Simon Jones and Darren Tudor (right) take Team Pursuit training

The Track endurance and sprint riders on show in Manchester had been through a full induction in October 2005 and were well-versed in what the programme expected of them. Also present were the first BMX riders to join the programme. They were new to the programme and, in addition to training, they were also going through the induction process.

The ODP's manager, former downhill star, Helen Mortimer, was on hand throughout the week, making sure that everything was running smoothly. When she spoke to us, she underlined the process riders go through to join the programme. "Riders can apply direct to the GB Team (Join the GB Team) pretty much all year round. Our main intake is in the autumn, but if you think you're good enough, or we want to have a closer look at you, you can be invited as guest at training camps."

 

Workshop time with Simon Jones

"A really good starting point for ambitious young riders is a chat with your regional Olympic Talent Coach. We've got a network of these coaches who are always on the lookout for up and coming riders."

Helen then spelled out the programme's benefits. "All the riders are based at home and continue with their education. There's a crucial balance to make between meeting their educational needs and fitting in training, so training camps are planned for school holidays and the racing and training schedule eases off around exam periods. Our riders all have different needs and we are flexible."

"In terms of contact time with the programme, a rider can expect eighty-five to ninety days of training, coaching and racing. There are other sessions, here in Manchester and down at Newport, which then can dip in to as well."

"When it comes to financial support, the riders are on what's called 'level E' funding. That means that they get a small quarterly grant. On top of that, we provide clothing and equipment, so they shouldn't face any big financial hits. They tend to spend their grants on travel costs and additional equipment. All their contact time with the team - training camps, racing etc is fully funded for them."

 

Sprinters analyse their "Jump Test" results with EIS staff

ODP Training Camp - What Did it Involve?

 

The week brought together not only the riders, but also an impressive range of experts, ranging from GB Team Head Coach, Simon Jones, through to the specialists from the nearby Manchester English Institute of Sport (EIS) facility.

 

Track Endurance Riders' Week

 

This group of riders tackled a lot of Team Pursuit and Madison training on the track: both of these events are highly technical and with Simon Jones taking both on-bike sessions and some fascinating off-bike workshops, the riders were clearly being pushed. The local Track League also accounted for one evening of their week, so it was a pretty weary bunch who departed for home at the weekend.

 

 

Jason Kenny (left) and Christian Lyte "enjoy" their rig tests

 

Track Sprinters' Week

 

Another group getting a real workout, the sprinters not only competed at the previous weekend's Revolution meeting and put in numerous hours on the Track, they also endured two sets of tests: firstly a "jump test" and "static rig test" at the EIS, then later in the week a series of "field" tests, riding the Track with SRM power measuring cranks on their bikes. All test results are recorded and databased as part on an ongoing profile all riders develop during their time on the programme. As and when they graduate to the Olympic Academy Programme, their profile goes with them, ensuring a seamless move from one level to the next. Gym sessions also played a big part in a very busy week.

 

One of the new Pinarellos

 

Equipment Update

 

As a break from the training, the riders were also able to enjoy collecting their impressive new Pinarello Track bikes, part of a package deal of clothing and equipment, which included Giordana clothing and Rudy Project helmets.

 

BMX Riders

 

 

The BMX riders didn't miss out and on top of their induction process, they were hard at it on and off the bikes. A session in the EIS gym with Sprint Coach Iain Dyer helped them to develop their techniques. Iain is not only a gym specialist, he is also a former BMX rider and with the Track Sprinters (who he normally looks after) being very similar athletes to the BMXers, his knowledge and experience crosses over very nicely. With the weather poor throughout the week, the majority of on-bike training was centred on start gate technique (pictured), with a visit to the Sheffield EIS indoor running track giving them an ideal indoor training environment. With new coach Geth Shooter also on hand, it was an important week for the BMX riders.

 

Healthy Minds

 

One feature of the week, shared by all the rides, was a workshop with GB Team psychologist Steve Peters. Steve concentrated on giving the riders advice on how to move forward as a high-level athlete, helping them to understand that it's not a complex process, especially if you create and understand the stepping stones along the way.

 

What's Next?

 

For the majority of the riders, it was back to school or college the following week. But with the season already getting started, there will not be much time for them to catch their breaths before their next major camp at Easter.