Behind the scenes at 2019-2020 Team Camps
BORA-hansgrohe and Deceuninck - Quick-Step team camps
The off season is generally not a time for pro tour teams to rest on their laurels. In fact, it is just the opposite and is one of the most critical times for pro teams and riders as they start to evaluate their strategies to find more ways to improve so they can stay ahead of the game.
Retül and Specialized have been working with the BORA-Hansgrohe and Deceuninck- Quick-Step pro tour teams for many years. Our team of fitters work with each of the riders throughout the off season to hone their road and time trial positions and engage with the team during different phases of training. “They have really come to welcome and value our time spent with them at team camps.” explains Jason Williams, lead fitter and Sports Scientist for the Specialized Human Performance team.
The first phase typically takes place in October, when the fitters generally work with newer riders on the team to establish a baseline position on the Specialized S-Works Shiv TT Disc bike. “We put a tremendous focus on the Time Trial work since the time gaps in the peloton, and among GC contenders, are increasingly narrow. Often the TT can be a make or break stage for an athlete.” Informs Williams.
Retül Zin used to measure the bike position before and after the Retül Fit.
Their incoming road positions are well-documented, which is often transferred from a different team and bike manufacturer. “We make sure the position on both Road and TT is effective for them to begin training on their new team equipment since oftentimes these new riders have never used Specialized equipment before .” Stated Williams. The Müve SL is also critical to the process to quickly and accurately establish a proper TT position for a new rider. “Using the Zin tool to get accurate measurements certainly helped us on occasion to explain a change in position to the team mechanics.” Informs Andrew McGregor, SBCU Canada Retül Fit instructor and of the newest fitters to join this year’s team camps.
Waylon Woolcock using the Retül DSD with Andreas Schillinger to find his sitbone width and saddle size.
(Photo: Etienne Schoeman)
“The Retül fit process, including tools like the Digital Sitbone Device and Müve SL fit bike, help us get the riders set up with the proper equipment based on the large data set that we have on file. The teams appreciate the strategic use of Retül data for equipment choices and fit changes.” Said Williams. “Romin Evo and Power were the winners with Mirror Technology seeing success on TT bikes.” Informed McGregor.
Many athletes will also opt-in for a pair of Retül custom footbeds while trying on new shoes that will be used during their training and throughout the season. “Many of these professional athletes really appreciate having a one-of-a-kind custom footbed made for them, and it is such an important piece of the fit equation.” Stated Williams.
Oftentimes the fitters will debut new and/or prototype equipment during team camps as well to get a feel for how it will be received in a wider market. If it is well received among this group there is generally great promise that something similar will be rolled out to a broader audience of riders.
Once they’ve got their equipment and initial bike positions set up, the riders will spend the next couple of months training with their new equipment and bike positions until everyone reconvenes in December.
During December and January team camps, the fitters follow up with the athletes and spend much of their time fine tuning the riders time trial positions for metabolic and aero efficiency. The riders are tested for ideal positions on the bike based on metabolic efficiency and fit, then those results are compared to the aerodynamic testing in the Velodrome to find the best balance of all three. Each bike then goes through a final Zin measurement to set their riding positions for the season.
“The professional athletes really appreciate the impartial data driven approach of the Retül system. Decisions to make a change are clearly based on impartial data not opinion or fitter preference.” Stated Williams.
“'My goal was to stabilize my seating position and through this improve the power transmission.” Informed Patrick Gamper, Australian rider for BORA-Hansgrohe, “'We changed the saddle to a Specialized Power, and adjusted the seat height and the height of the cockpit. My seating position in the saddle was more stable afterwards and also the angle in my hips increased. Gamper goes on to say, “I feel better, especially on long training rides, and I slide less in the saddle. I really liked the fitting, and it helped me a lot. I would recommend it to everyone.’'
Continue below to view the full galleries for both teams to get an inside look on what really goes on during these camps (Photo credits: Justin Sullivan and Etienne Schoeman):
BORA-hansgrohe Team Camp Gallery:
Deceuninck - Quick-Step Team Camp Gallery:
