Pro tips: how to prepare for a mountain bike race

The thrill of pitting your competencies in opposition to the clock – there’s nothing at all pretty like it. But get it from an expert, a small preparing goes a extensive way. So if you’ve acquired some racing prepared, and you want to elevate your match, here’s some assistance from a pro. 1st issues 1st, have you obtained the most effective mountain bicycle for the position? Proper, now you’re heading to require to know how to race…

1. Prep, prep and far more prep

The extra you are well prepared the improved. Indeed, the greatest racers in the earth have a entire crew to help with this but that does not mean you just can’t put together too. Get your bicycle checked and serviced leading up to the race. Have a swift look at the weather for apply and race day, this can support you pack the appropriate kit and tires.

Needles has spent the earlier 20 a long time racing downhill, taking numerous countrywide champ wins to his title and WC podium finishes… he is aware his racing

2. Practice… but not also a lot

Exercise is like the research you do for a examination. The improved your homework, the a lot easier the check. The take a look at is the race of study course. A huge error I see from a ton of riders is being in excess of-thrilled and carrying out much too considerably apply, as very well as likely much too quick right before they know the track.

The ideal thing you can do is simplicity into it. The race run is wherever you want to go quick, not the 1st practice run. Drive you to do some slow, straightforward runs to get to know the monitor. I would break the monitor into a handful of sections.

Even when you are practising I would advise you not to trip far too rapid down the whole program all at at the time. Get to know the monitor and then decide on a couple sections to consider to trip a minimal quicker to see how it feels. This will aid you conserve strength and prevent avoidable crashes. You will need that vitality for your race.

Try to remember to enjoy it!

In the vicinity of the stop of practice, you may possibly want to try out a entire operate to see how it all feels in just one go, if you have heaps of electrical power.

Bear in mind to hydrate and try to eat throughout the apply working day. Numerous new riders are also concentrated on using and overlook to eat and consume.

Danny Hart in race manner (Wolinski/Crimson Bull)

3. Sense the fear and visualise it anyway

Race day is when the nerves may possibly start off creeping in. Embrace it and comprehend everyone feels it. The night ahead of is a very good time to go by means of the race operate in your head. Visualise how you want the operate to go and this can contain in which you want to brake for corners or shift gears.

Maintain ingesting and you can go all working day

4. Consume, even if you are not hungry

Make sure you have a very good breakfast on race working day even if you really don’t feel like consuming. If the race is later in the working day check out to try to eat lunch two several hours right before so your body has time to digest it all. Some clean up carbs and a small little bit of protein are a superior plan. Preserve it simple and never consume or drink items you are not made use of to.

5. Be early

The time has appear and your race is here. Consider and arrive early for your practice and definitely for your race operate. The past thing you want to experience is rushed on race working day. Get all set with heaps of time to spare. Triple examine you have all your equipment ready. Give your bike a little when over and test tyre tension. Give you a great deal of time to get to the major for a downhill race or to get to the start off line of an enduro.

Visualise the system yet again and ride all over to preserve your entire body heat. Rest a bit as you have carried out what you can to prepare. Couple of pleasant deep breaths in advance of your run, and remember to love it!