Wippert's effort is recorded for analysis - Drapac Professional Cycling
Bernard Sulzberger demonstrates a basic plank - this demonstrates a rider’s core strength and areas of weakness - Drapac Professional Cycling
Darren Lappthorne demonstrates a forward plank - Drapac Professional Cycling
Robbie Hucker executes a basic plank to build core strength - Drapac Professional Cycling
Hucker moves into a side plank - similar to the basic plank, the side plank is an exaggerated test of hip and core stability - Drapac Professional Cycling
Rudolph moves into a side plank - his time in the gym was evident - Drapac Professional Cycling
Darren Lapthorne runs through the neural tests - they demonstrate the state of the sciatic nerve and can determine saddle position and type - Drapac Professional Cycling
Malcolm Rudolph's flexibility was on show - Drapac Professional Cycling
One legged squats demonstrate overall stability - Drapac Professional Cycling
Meanwhile - mechanic, Dennis Kreder gets to work on one of the training bikes - Drapac Professional Cycling
Fizik saddles are fitted to Drapac Pro Cycling's SwiftCarbon Ultravox frames.and saddle heights are adjusted to previous requirements - Drapac Professional Cycling
Ballhause determines the cleat position for Malcolm Rudolph's Bont Vaypor shoes - Drapac Professional Cycling
Ballhause makes some minor adjustments to Malcolm Rudolph's cleat position - Drapac Professional Cycling
Key points are marked on Hucker's Bont shoes - Drapac Professional Cycling
Hucker's cleat position is reviewed - Drapac Professional Cycling
Further small adjustments are made to the cleat position - Drapac Professional Cycling
A long-time member of the Drapac squad, the 2014 equipment list results in a big change for Lapthorne - Drapac Professional Cycling
Ken Ballhause makes some small adjustments to accommodate Hucker's cleat position - Drapac Professional Cycling
Hucker's cleats are double checked tightened - Drapac Professional Cycling
A recent back injury was a key topic of discussion for Wes Sulzberger and Ken Ballhause - Drapac Professional Cycling
Bike fit technician Ken Ballhause inspects Wouter Wippert's initial bike set up - Drapac Professional Cycling
With anatomical landmarks highlighted on Wippert's body, he is filmed as he builds up to a peak effort - Drapac Professional Cycling
Just like all the other riders, Wippert's effort is recorded for analysis - Drapac Professional Cycling
Bernard Sulzberger gets a feel for his new set-up - Drapac Professional Cycling
Ken Ballhause inspects Hucker's initial set up - Drapac Professional Cycling
Hucker's hips are checked to ensure he's square - Drapac Professional Cycling
Now fully comfortable, Hucker begins to ramp up his effort - Drapac Professional Cycling
While significant technological advances have been made in bike fit, some tools remain rudimentary - Drapac Professional Cycling
Each athlete's data is captured and plugged in - Drapac Professional Cycling
Ken Ballhause checks the difference between handlebar and saddle height on Lachie Norris' rig - Drapac Professional Cycling
Ken Ballhause checks the angle of Robbie Hucker's saddle - Drapac Professional Cycling
Saddle height is double checked - Drapac Professional Cycling
This is Jai Crawford's fitting video in post processing. Ken Ballhause explains - "These images serve as an example of how anatomical landmarks are used to determine joint angles for the lower and upper body. Joint angles are analyzed as a function of crank angle, with numerous crank angles serving as relevant reference points" - Ken Ballhause - Adaptive HP
Video analysis and post processing of data is a key component of continuous improvement in human-bike interaction. Some of this information will be implemented at the next training camp - Ken Ballhause - Adaptive HP
"A properly implemented strength and conditioning program; one that is specific to the demands of the sport in focus; has the ability to improve an athlete’s functional capacity – in this instance, their ability to generate hip, knee and ankle joint torque about a stable pelvis, and trunk" - Ken Ballhause - Ken Ballhause - Adaptive HP
Drapac Professional Cycling recently received its Professional Continental license, just in time for its debut WorldTour start at the Tour Down Under. The move to Pro Conti comes with a handful of new sponsors and the associated challenges with moving riders onto the new equipment.
Drapac gave BikeRadar an access pass to the team’s initial bike fitting session, a tedious and technical process in order to prevent injury and get the best from the riders come race day. The move to Swift Cycling, Bont Shoes, Fi’zi:k saddles and Speedplay pedals is a significant change for all, and for some riders it’s the first major equipment change in nearly seven years.
Bike fitting expert and Clinical Myotherapist, Ken Ballhause, spoke to BikeRadar about the processes each rider went through. “These sessions were to establish a baseline for the riders, for the most part we were mimicking the riders’ previous setups and ensuring they were comfortable," Ballhause said. "We took video analysis, with this we will be able to make future improvements and recommendations at the next training camp.”
Rudolph moves into a side plank - his time in the gym was evident: rudolph moves into a side plank - his time in the gym was evident - Drapac Professional Cycling
Riders undergo a number of physical tests
The sessions catered for a dizzying number of factors – with rider flexibility, core strength, structural fitness and previous injury all affecting the outcome. Ballhause said he believes the strength and conditioning work is "equally important as the bike fit itself. "We test the riders to diagnose areas of weakness and from there I can provide strengthening exercises which has huge potential.”
Switching to new saddles, shoes and pedals can be big changes for many riders. “For me the saddle represents the largest challenge; it has a huge effect on the riders’ baseline measurements," Ballhause said. "Luckily many riders were coming from Fi’zi:k saddles. For the riders, it’s always the shoes, they immediately notice the change in fit and feel.”
The potential effects of a saddle change was seen with Wes Sulzberger who had crashed a few days prior to the fitting and was complaining of lower back pain. Ballhause attributed this to being a neurological issue from lumbar flexion and the perceived pain was effected by a change in pelvic tilt. A basic tweak in saddle angle or a different model would solve Wes’ short-term acute pain immediately.
Click on through to the photo gallery for a glimpse of what happens when a team begins a season with new equipment, in this case, riders getting fitted to their 2014 training bikes.
