WaowDeals Pro Cycling had a special guest on Thursday at their training camp in Calpe in Spain. The Spanish downhiller and technique guru Oscar Saiz provided a downhill training. Both the young talents and experienced riders of WaowDeals Pro Cycling will be able to use it to their advantage in races.

“We put a lot of time in aspects such as riding uphill and sports nutrition, but downhill, which is also very important, does not always get the attention it deserves. There are riders who can keep up uphill but lose more time than needed on the descent. By improving the downhill technique, we will win a couple of percentage which will make a difference in going for the victory or not”, says DS Jeroen Blijlevens.

Saiz provided a theoretical session on Wednesday evening, explaining the importance of a proper downhill which increases the safety and confidence on the bike. He also ensured that our riders could descend faster and more efficient. Jeroen Blijlevens: “It is very simple but ever so important: the more efficient you ride downhill, the more energy you save, the more is left for the final.” 

Awareness
The riders trained on the road, just outside Calpe, on Thursday. Saiz made the riders descend several times, individually and in small groups, and focused on the downhill skills in 2 turns. “It is for a very large part awareness: what do I have to keep in mind in order to descend in a safer, faster and more efficient way? If I am in Oscar Saiz’ trail, I notice that I can brake at a later stage than I would normally do”, says Marianne Vos.

Likewise for Monique van de Ree. “Obviously, you know the basic rules, such as, looking in the direction you want to go to. You want to make your own downhill method. Now, an expert explains how to improve on that. I think I can improve the way I brake.  Where do you start and stop?  The position in the turns is also a focus point. With bad weather, a slightly different position could create a better grip.”

Eyeopener
Dani Rowe: “My downhill line is fine according to Oscar Saiz, however, my body position in the turns can be improved.  I was too stiff in the saddle and would benefit more from a different distribution of the weight, which I need to work on now, making it more stable, even when the weather isn’t quite as good”, she says. “It was an eyeopener for me to learn that the front brake could be used much more. You have got to have confidence.”