Uni is keeping motorsports stars ahead of their rivals
EXPERTS OFFER CONDITIONING PACKAGES FOR ELITE RIDERS AND DRIVERS
MOTORSPORTS stars have been put through their paces at Loughborough University – all in the name of gaining an advantage over their competitors both on and off the track.
For the past 15 years, university experts have supported elite-level riders and drivers from World Superbike, Formula 3, British Touring Car and World Rally Championships.
Now, Loughborough Sport is offering bespoke packages across a host of disciplines including lab-based fitness testing, nutrition advice, physio screening, strength testing, preparation for racing in the heat and sleep and travel strategies and psychological function.
Among those to benefit from the service is Sylvain Guintoli, Team
Suzuki Ecstar rider and the 2014 FIM World Superbike champion.
He said: “I first met with the Loughborough Performance Centre team in 2007, looking for guidance for my training, conditioning and nutrition programmes.
“Over the years, multiple tests, studies and meetings have significantly improved my understanding of my needs for the sport.”
Petronas Sprinta SRT Moto 2 team’s Jake Dixon is another rider who has called on Loughborough to give him a competitive edge.
“I wanted to improve my training and performance overall, so I chose to come to Loughborough and have some fitness testing,” he said.
“I did several sessions including strength and conditioning, physio screening nutrition and then heat training and a Vo2 max test.
“The whole experience has been great. It’s such a great team of people here and I can’t wait to have a long working relationship with them.
“For anyone thinking about coming, I would say come with an open mind - it’s going to improve you as an athlete as you’ve only got the best here and the best people on the job.”
Drawing upon expertise across the university, the support service allows athletes to integrate testing into their own schedules.
Performance physiologist Steve Harris said: “Athletes have the opportunity to benefit from all of our performance support services, working together to produce one plan for the athlete.
“This is something that really allows someone to be pushed forward to their maximum.”