Eddie Dunbar's key numbers compare very favourably to one of the greats of the modern era, explains his coach.
The TrainSharp coaching company based in the UK trains riders all over the world, from world class athletes to leisure cyclists and amateurs simply look to improve.
With over 50 years coaching experience racked up by the key coaching figures, it has even worked with Tour de France winners.
Almost a year ago the company began working with young Irish rider Eddie Dunbar; a second-year U23 rider plying his trade this year with a US-based team.
In this piece, TrainSharp founder Jon Sharples explains his work with Dunbar and outlines how some of his key data compares to Bradley Wiggins.
Once in a blue moon we get to work with a gem in the cycling world; a rider with a perfect combination of raw talent, confidence, charisma and who is a genuinely nice person. Our latest gift is Kanturk’s Eddie Dunbar.
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We have been working with Eddie for the past 10 months or so. During this period he has come through the ranks of British UCI Continental team NFTO and is currently riding with Team Axeon-Hagens Berman.
One of Eddie’s key targets in 2015 was the Under 23 World Championships in Richmond, USA.
He really impressed with an attacking ride, spending much of the race in the breakaway. He has bigger ambitions for 2016.
Eddie’s secret weapon (not so secret anymore) has been his attacking style and go-for-broke attitude in the races.
He has confidence in himself that he can hold the power and that he can hold off the chasing peloton if it came down to it.
The last time we tested Eddie in our lab in July 2015, his maximal aerobic power (MAP) was 426 W.
MAP is the Watts you can hold at the limit of their aerobic capacity (VO2max); typically over 3-6 minutes
At the time, this made his relative power to weight an astounding 7.83 W/Kg.
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As a rough guide, we estimate that Sir Bradley Wiggins’ MAP figure is somewhere around 8 W/Kg. So Eddie is not too far off.
Eddie has always favoured the hills, with his weight being a significant advantage over his rivals.
As he ages - remember he is still only 19 years old - he is likely to increase in body weight.
As such we have been working quite considerably on pushing up his sustainable power, muscular endurance and muscular efficiency, to ensure that as he grows, his power continues in the right direction.
Working with pro cyclists can often be a challenge, for many it is not as easy as waving a magic wand and gifting a rider 50 W, iron-like calves and a body fat percentage of 5%.
It takes the usual clichés of blood, sweat and tears, but the better you get- the smaller the margins.
As cycling grows in popularity, along with the advances in training and athlete management, the gap between junior and senior racing is no longer a monumental cavern that chews up the majority of juniors looking to make the step-up.
But this opens up difficulties in managing expectations of young, up and coming riders.
In 2015 we set up our Inspire Talent Program (ITP), a dedicated coaching platform for aspiring young riders to progress in the sport.
With a yearly cohort restricted to 10 riders, only the most suitable riders are selected.
Eddie is a prime example of a young rider showing progression in the sport and continuing to improve.
With our ITP riders we look to improve not just their physical ability on the bike. We also work to develop their CVs and improve skills they would never dream at looking at themselves; like their laundry and cooking.
So, where next for Eddie? We are targeting the bigger stage races this year, including the Tour of California and Utah.
Both of these events have a parcours that favour Eddie’s riding style.
Long-term we see no reason why Eddie cannot make it into a World Tour team and continue to progress to the very top of his sport.
TrainSharp invites queries about its coaching services from any riders looking to improve; regardless of whether you are an up and coming Eddie Dunbar or you simple want to be a better rider and reach your personal goals - [email protected]
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