Cycling is one of the few sports that makes athletes form such close and above all essential links with staff at all levels.. It is by going a little off the beaten track that we have chosen to take an interest in a trainer of a cycling team who is the Swiss army knife of this well-oiled device.. This is Carly Patten giving us exclusive details in the next few paragraphs. .
Cycling Times : Hello Carly ! First of all, can you introduce yourself to our readers ?
Carly Patten : My name is Carly Patten, I am a physical trainer from Pretoria in South Africa. I am currently based in the UK and work as a groomer in Europe as well as in the UK for several cycling teams.
CT : What studies did you do to become a physical trainer? ? Is it a classical/traditional medical course ?
CP : I started by studying to be a specialist in strength and conditioning then I took basic courses in sports massage. I loved it so much that I started studying sports and restorative therapy and later specialized in sports injuries and rehabilitation. So no, these are not really medical courses..
CT : Is there an aspect of your work that the general public does not suspect ?
CP : Absolutely ! I think a lot of people think of trainers as team masseurs and as someone who distributes the bottles in the feed zones, but it's much more than that.. Most professional teams will have one trainer for every two riders due to the amount of work that needs to be done each race day.
CT : What is your job ?
CP : The work of the healer is mainly to take care of the runner but it is not limited to that. We prepare the cans for the races as well as the food for the supplies, we do the massages before and after the different competitions, we are also on the start and finish lines, we give the haversacks in the supply zones, we also manage the laundry, staff meals as well as additional or special breakfasts for riders when there is no chef. Sometimes we prepare meals if we are not staying in a hotel, we also manage the registration and organization of the rooms at the hotel, we take care of the luggage, to do the shopping and refuel the cars, to wash them inside and out and to prepare the cars that follow the race every day. All the little things that need to be done are often done by healers.
CT : What qualities do you need to be a trainer? ?
CP : There are so many qualities required to be a good healer ! I think having team spirit, to be independent, know how to solve problems, work hard and be dedicated, passionate and caring while being able to stay positive and manage stress undoubtedly essential qualities to be a good healer. We don't count our hours and the days can be very demanding, so it must be really important to you to have a career and be happy to do this job.
CT : What is the thing you love the most about your job? ? And do you only work in cycling ?
CP : It's hard to say what I like the most about my job but I would say it's probably the fact that we are a team.. Working in unison, with the same goal in mind and playing a part in achieving it is really something very special and it gives the feeling of being a family.
And to answer the second part of the question, yes this is the first year that I work only in cycling.
CT : You seem to work in several disciplines. How do you manage your schedule ?
CP : Yes ! I work freelance for different teams in different cycling disciplines, what i really like. Sometimes it's very difficult to manage, I often have events that follow each other so when I come back from one of them I have to fly directly on the same day to the next competition. Some teams gave me their dates for events at the beginning of the year, which I then block in my agenda but there are also events with other teams which are added at the last moment. I am also lucky to have been recommended for other events as well., this way I can string together a lot of races and laps throughout the year.
CT : Do you think trainers help runners recover a lot more from before ?
CP : I am convinced of it 100 %. I think we have a vital role in their recovery because we make sure their recovery starts the second they cross the finish line when they get recovery shakes, meals, It will be the same on Tirreno-Adriatico then on the Tour of the Alps. Add to that the soft tissue massage, it is so beneficial. Our job is also to make sure riders don't have to worry about washing their kit or waiting to cook food or anything else that gets in their way of focusing on recovery and tomorrow's race.
CT : Do you take care of certain types of injuries or is it reserved for the team doctor? ?
CP : It depends on the situation, if the team has traveled with a designated medical professional then they will deal with injuries. If there is no one dedicated to it then it is a healer, who is qualified in first aid, who will take care of the injury provided it is within their area of expertise and not too serious. In general, the medical staff of the event makes a first diagnosis then we take over but I would say that it varies according to the situation.
CT : Have you ever worked with professionals who are in World Tour ?
CP : I have worked with many World Tour riders and currently I also work with the World Tour Uno-X Womens team.
CT : You are currently on the Tour de France Women with the Uno-X team. How would you describe the atmosphere of the race ?
CP : It's indescribable. For the first Tour de France Women, there is such enthusiasm and such a special feeling of being part of the story that is being written before our eyes. Everyone involved in this event, whether it's the runners, team staff, spectators or officials, everyone knows how important this race is and how much change it will bring to women's cycling
CT : The moment of refueling is carried out at a high speed, is it a stressful moment for you or has it just become a banal reflex over time ?
CP : The first times you have to do a refueling can be a bit intimidating, but in reality it's such a simple procedure that it becomes second nature once you've done it a few times.
CT : What do you think of South African cycling ?
CP : I think in South Africa cycling is slowly rebuilding. In the past we had a very strong cycling front with many elite and junior teams, but over the years, unfortunately it has decreased a bit.
CT : Road cycling or mountain biking ?
CP : Personally, I have a preference for road cycling, simply because I know this discipline much better and I like the road team racing tactics, but after having done a few mountain bike events this year and understanding what awaits them in a race, I'd say it's pretty tight.
