UAE Team Emirates gives tips on how to train like a pro cyclist

UAE Team Emirates team trainer and sports director John Wakefield. -- Supplied photo

Having experienced it first hand, UAE Team Emirates World Tour Cycling Team knows how it is to be placed in quarantine and how to get through these testing times.
The UAE Tour, which was held in February and which the team was competing in, was one of the first events in the country to be cancelled because of the global coronavirus pandemic.
A few participants had contracted the virus, including the team's Colombian sprinter Fernando Gaviria.
With the cycling world at a standstill, except for virtual racing events like the Tour of Flanders and the UAE's own Virtual Cycling Challenge, the UAE team is doing its bit to keep the country's residents safe and healthy
UAE Team Emirates have come up with some exercises for the layman to train like a professional cyclist.
UAE Team Emirates team trainer and sports director John Wakefield, who charts the programme for the team's riders and ensures that they are in prime shape and can perform at their optimum levels, has mapped a basic yet effective training regime that one can do while staying at home.
"It can be difficult to stay motivated to lead a healthy lifestyle when you can't leave the house. Now, more than ever people are finding new ways to keep fit," said Wakefield.
And this week, Wakefield, who has also dabbled in motocross, has a few training tips for beginners with the team's riders Norweigan Alexander Kristoff and Italian Marco Marcato helping out with the demonstrations.
Wakefield begins by saying that one must stretch first up, be it weight trainers, exercisers or athletes.
"Warm-up for at least 10 minutes before you start your proper exercise session. Start with a Cobra Stretch. The second exercise is a Walk Out and then comes the Shoulder Stretch. Finally, do a Knee-to-Chest stretch," he said.
Next up, Wakefield suggests is the Standard Plank where you need to hold that position for 45 seconds. "Repeat 3 times with 30 seconds rest between sessions. For best results and when you get more comfortable with the move, hold your plank for as long as possible without compromising your form or breath," said Wakefield.
Other exercises are the Side Plank, the Star Plank. At the end, Wakefield stressed the importance of stretching while winding down.
Go on then, and give it a try.
james@khaleejtimes.com