With a large number of coaches now working with cyclists of all abilities across the country, former An Post-Chainreaction and World Champs rider Ronan McLaughlin is taking a slightly different route.
He runs the established Panache Coaching company and with
Cycling Ulster is now also delivering classes in how to race.
The Race School workshops aim to teach all the practical skills and techniques every rider, even the very strongest, needs to turn form into results.
While experienced racing cyclists will feel they don’t
need to be taught how to race, McLaughlin competed abroad in the pro bunch for
years and even leading A1 riders would surely pick up a thing or two.
For anyone looking to hone their racing or those
newcomers or latecomers to racing; these classes would likely prove invaluable.
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The women’s commission of Cycling Ulster, on whose behalf
McLaughlin is delivering the first classes, said because so many riders already
use coaches, these lessons will not focus on how to become stronger, fitter or
faster.
Instead, they are exclusively about teaching cyclists how
to be better racers.
“Often even the
strongest riders can be left disappointed in a race having lacked the edge in
their bike handling or bunch skills,” Cycling Ulster’s women’s commission has
said.
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“Designed to help racers to develop as competent,
confident and safe competitive cyclists through an enjoyable skills based
program the course is suitable for athletes of all fitness levels.
“The program aims to help athletes to achieve their best in competition events by empowering them with the skills and confidence needed to race safely and enjoyably.”
Each of the four race school workshops focus on a
particular set of skills; bike skills training, bunch riding and a theory based
clinic or debrief
Level 1 workshop focuses
- Basic bike setup and bike mechanics. Road and bunch etiquette, Peloton skills
- Cornering, descending, Attacking and sprinting
- Comfort skills – Fuelling, clothing, stretching, making space
- Echelons, cavalcades and combining all skills
The first workshop was last month in Derry and the second
was set for today in Craigavon, but was postponed due to forecast icy
conditions.
Further workshops are planned for January 19th
and February 16th, with the locations to be confirmed.
Clearly we are bringing you news of this when the first package of four race school sessions are already underway.
However, clubs may be interested in putting a series of race classes in place for their own riders, or even teaming up with other clubs to do so.
If so, McLaughlin can be contacted at [email protected].
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