DAN MARTIN
Q U I C K ST E P F L O O R S
Recon rides are less crucial now that technology can ill gaps in route knowledge
Aquestion I get asked a lot, especially after the Tour or another race where riders are seen hurtling down twisting descents, is how many times did you ride the course before the race? Most often the answer is: “None.” Indeed, pre-riding the 3,500km of a Grand Tour is not feasible and my argument used to be that we don’t do recon for other stage races, so why make a special case for the Tour? This attitude has now changed somewhat as my focus has developed and the importance of the Tour increases. Yet I still rely a lot on prior experience and the team directors for route information. Knowing the route ahead can be valuable depending on the situation and if nothing else it is somewhat comforting knowing what is around the next corner. But I always find that the roads feel completely different under race conditions where you not only have the effects of drafting but a huge shot of adrenaline that can ease the steepest of gradients. Plus, under race conditions more often than not you are focused on the wheel in front of you rather than where the road goes next. Recon rides are also becoming less crucial now that technology can fill any gaps in route knowledge. Since the advent of Google Maps, we can have a good idea of road size and conditions from the comfort of the team bus. GPS files mean information can be fed to the riders via radio during the race as a reminder, although sometimes that information is censored. Imagine suffering to stay in the group only to hear the road steepens around the corner... Some would perhaps prefer to know, but not me. The traditionalists will now be thinking this is an argument against radios: “Back in the good old days a rider had to study the race maps in order to know the course. Those who did their homework benefited.” I can understand that argument but technology has become a part of this sport and knowing about road furniture or a dangerous corner has huge safety advantages. The homework is still done, just in greater detail because more information is available.
But personally I still find it invaluable to know the roads. My repeated success in the Volta a Catalunya is perhaps testament to this - racing on home roads is an advantage. Experience also plays a part. There are a limited number of roads, and races often trace the same routes, especially in the mountains. This year’s Tour, for example, has a finish at Peyragudes, a climb I remember from the 2012 Tour. Due to its proximity to my base in Andorra I will be paying a refresher visit in the next few weeks, but having prior knowledge of how the climb was raced is very important and an advantage over those who haven’t yet experienced it. The key is to find a balance between spending more time on the road and the associated energy waste that brings, plus the potential for missed training quality and the leap into the unknown that is not doing recon. I believe that if you have the legs you can take whatever is thrown at you, but that’s not to say I won’t know the terrain a little come July and the Tour.