Rest Day Fears?

[phamdinhnam3]

The more I read and watch professional cycling the more I realize how much pros abhor rest days in a grand tour. If a rider is not injured or sick complete rest is the last thing they'll be engaging in. In fact most teams try to schedule a 3 to 4 hour ride during this day. It seems that these athletes are petrified of the possibility that their bodies will "shut down" if they don't continue to punish them.
I've never been in the position to speak from experience, but does anyone believe that spending the entire off day in bed or on the couch hinder more than help a rider's chances in such a race? Is it different for climbers, sprinters, TT specialists? Big, small guys?

 

[RedheadDane]

I don't think they abhor them, they just need to make sure their legs still work. A 3-4 hour ride at a slow pace with a planned coffee stop is pure relaxation compared to a 5-6 hour ride at full speed over several mountains. Also you don't have to fight for your position since you're only riding with your teammates.


This belongs in the Professional Road Racing sub-forum, btw.

 

[BigMac]

Re:

Quite right, moved.

 

[TMP402]

The more I read and watch professional cycling the more I realize how much pros abhor rest days in a grand tour. If a rider is not injured or sick complete rest is the last thing they'll be engaging in. In fact most teams try to schedule a 3 to 4 hour ride during this day. It seems that these athletes are petrified of the possibility that their bodies will "shut down" if they don't continue to punish them.
I've never been in the position to speak from experience, but does anyone believe that spending the entire off day in bed or on the couch hinder more than help a rider's chances in such a race? Is it different for climbers, sprinters, TT specialists? Big, small guys?

It entirely depends on the rider. For instance, because in the past he has suffered after he took it easy on a rest day, Bardet had a 5-6 hour ride in the mountains on the second rest day of this Tour, but he was still awful the following day.

 

[jmdirt]

It also depend on the stage that follows a rest day.

 

[thehook]

If I can remember correctly. I think Purito spent his rest day in bed in 13' Vuelta? The next day Conta nailed him. And went on to win La Vuelta.

 

[RedheadDane]

That's probably 2012 you're talking about. Horner won the 2013 Vuelta, Conta (assuming you mean Contador) didn't ride.