DHL Sprint School

 

Images/Words: Adam Tranter / Fusion Media (www.fusion-media.co.uk)
Posted: 15 April 2007

 

Just think of placing 70 young school kids in a series of sessions at international indoor velodromes then accompanying them with Olympic, World, Commonwealth and National Championship medallists and World Class sprint coaches. Then imagine the whole thing being passionately funded and supported by the largest logistics company in the world; it all sounds a bit far fetched. It's certainly not what most people will have experienced as a young cyclist. After spending a day during the school half-term break at the second round of the DHL Sprint School, it appears to me that this is 'what dreams are made of'.

 

British Cycling TalentTeam boss Gary Coltman explains the objectives in the riders' activities

As the riders entered Newport Velodrome, they were greeted by a smiling Frances Millar of Face Partnership who has worked very hard over the past few months with Guy Elliott from DHL and representatives from British Cycling to make this dream a reality. The key emphasis on this project has to be the 'school' element, any of our many sprint medallists will tell you that being a successful sprinter is not just about having the legs and being the quickest. The 70-strong group is split into two groups with the first group spending the morning in the classroom, learning useful sprint tips and asking questions with GB Sprinter, Craig McLean. The second group spent the first session on track putting skills learnt in demonstrations and discussions into practise. The groups then alternated after lunch.

 

 

Food! Crisps were popular, oh well, they'll burn it off!

One thing that struck me about the DHL Sprint School was the positive atmosphere; it would be all too easy create a pressured environment where the riders feel they have to perform to progress to a higher level. At Sprint School, the emphasis was very much on having a good time and learning skills that will make you into a better bike rider, whatever your level. The riders certainly enjoyed their free (and healthy) buffet lunch and goodies in the DHL Kit bag that all participants received.

 

Craig MacLean goes through some recent race tactics in the classroom shortly before answering the kid's questions in the Q+A session

The practical sessions consisted of 5 different activities with the numerous coaches and helpers ensuring that riders were given the help and support they needed. Riders took part in a structured warm up with an increase in pace towards the end, the track time given to each rider was surprisingly high when taken into account the amount of riders there were present. After rotation and feedback, which was present after every different session, the riders moved onto awareness and vision during sprinting. Craig McLean was there to assist the coaches in demonstrations and use his expertise to assist the riders individually while they circled the track practising what they had just been shown.

 

For this period of 15 minutes, I don't think I managed to get one photo of anyone's face, so they must be doing it right, either that or I'm doing something wrong. Other practises consisted of out of the saddle drills, which were explained by Gary Coltman of the Talent Team and other coaches from various tracks around the country. The riders then used their competitive nature in match sprints between others in similar ability groups, those who really took on board what was shown to them earlier in the sessions seemed to achieve very highly. The winner of each sprint then progressed into finals to decide a winner.

 

Craig McLean shows the riders how it's done, a unique chance for the youngsters to ride side by side with a champion of his calibre.

With short ties, homework and detentions postponed until the end of half term, the DHL Sprint School riders seemed refreshed in a relaxed classroom environment. Much credit has to be given to Rob Jefferies, an ex-school teacher who really interacted with the riders with intuitive games and activities. The DHL Sprint School shows the importance to the riders of officials, rules and calculations as well as speed, aggression and tactics shown on the bike. Riders also had a great opportunity to take part in a question and answers session with Craig McLean, many were impressed he had won £10,000 in the Japanese Keirin, others were relieved that he also goes to the toilet a lot before races, it wasn't just them.

Craig McLean gives more advice and tips to the riders

 

It's a breath of fresh air to have such a positive project in place at grass roots level within the sport. Many of the riders present had not made it into other squads and coaching initiatives, despite being very capable and handy cyclists. Others had great potential but were at a younger age and may not even want to pursue the sport of cycling, at least with the DHL Sprint School they have the opportunity to experience first hand the excitement and rewards that track cycling has to offer youngsters. Many thanks to DHL / Exel Supply Chain, Face Partnership, Craig McLean, British Cycling and the many coaches and volunteers that help out during the Sprint School series.

The DHL Sprint School will now move on and look forward to the next date in May, I am assured that DHL have big plans within grass roots cycling and that things can only get bigger and better.