In the second part of our look at the Team Behind the Team supporting these women, we spoke with two APS members, Performance Analyst Sam Bremer and Nutritionist Katie Schofield who are an important part of the Paris build up.
Performance Analyst Sam Bremer spends a lot of his time sitting behind a camera, filming and analysing performances on the track in competition and training.
Data from the real time video is sent to athletes and coaches for review so that adjustments can be made on the go.
“We are very fortunate at the Cambridge Velodrome to be able to use instrumentation on the bikes that has been developed by HPSNZ’s Goldmine team,” says Sam.
The innovation is called Clogger, a cycling logger, which is connected to the cranks and provides a range of metrics. Beacons located around the track pick up the data from the logger which is then transferred into usable reports for athlete and coach as well as the physiologist.
“During a race the data can be used to pull up splits at quarter marks which is then exported using time codes to analyse speed, work rates and when particular things happen on the bike,” says Sam.
Team pursuit riders are able to watch videos and review the reports between rounds. “The data enables the coach to decide whether to swap a rider if necessary based on performance or, equally, if one of the team has another race coming up.”
While Sam says the Clogger is a fantastic innovation, it is not one that will be in his luggage going to Paris. “At international race meets only technology that is commercially available can be used. Our Clogger, therefore, is our ‘secret weapon’ at home.”
But Sam cautions that gathering data is one thing, how it is used is another. “To me the data provides a vital connection between feel and real and that is what makes a difference.”
Sam also works closely with team Physiologist Carl Bradford and with Performance Systems Engineer Tim Crouch who oversees the whole performance package for Cycling NZ. He also works with the track sprint Physio and Strength and Conditioning coach.
“The meetings that involve all the APS team are extremely important in the context of the athletes and it is so exciting to be part of their support group.”
Kiwi favourites like Weet-Bix, Marmite and Vegemite will be in the pantry at the Cycling team’s Paris hotel, all part of making some things a bit like home while being nutritionally appropriate, says HPSNZ Cycling Nutritionist Katie Schofield.
“Cycling has opted to stay at a hotel closer to the Olympic velodrome rather than at the Athletes’ Village, which has meant I’ve had to liaise a lot with the hotel and its kitchen staff,” says Katie.
“It’s important that we make sure the food and fluids we have in Paris are not a massive surprise or significantly different to what the riders are used to at home.”
Katie has been working with the wider cycling team for 18 months and plays a key role supporting their nutrition needs at home and abroad.
“The lead up to a pinnacle event like the Olympics is a very important phase. We need to have robust, healthy athletes who can sustain the type of training they need to do.
“Working with the women’s team pursuit riders is a mix of the team needs and their individual requirements. Bryony (Botha), for example, is very experienced and organised. She knows what fuel she needs to focus on at events like the Nations Cup and World Championships.
“We’re at the stage in the campaign where we are looking at fuelling strategies for this phase of training but also the different events the women will compete in for international racing.”
Katie cites the example of Bryony moving into the Omnium event which she competed in at the last Nation’s Cup in Hong Kong. “This is an endurance event with four races throughout a day. The fuelling strategy required for it is different to, say, what is needed for the team pursuit event.
“We have to ensure cyclists have the right fuel before a race with adequate carbohydrates around two to three hours before their event, have the appropriate hydrating and carbohydrate intake between races and then manage their recovery fuel with optimal protein and carbohydrates.”
Katie, along with Sam, are part of the HPSNZ APS team which meets weekly with their cycling charges and coaches. “We look at their training plans and discuss whether we need to have individual discussions with a particular rider. Each member of the support team has a critical role to play and nutrition touches on just about every aspect.
“I talk with Carl, the women’s endurance physiologist, who measures and analyses riders’ blood markers and performance data to assist with the efficacy of specific ergogenic aid strategies.
“Strength and conditioning coach Dan Smart may be working on functional strength with muscle mass and my role is to consider the need for specific or additional fuel for that.
“With the team’s coach I need to look at touchpoints such as fatigue levels and whether fuelling is on point to counteract and manage.”
Katie is also responsible for the food that will be provided in the Paris Velodrome. “A lot will be taken to Paris in our container however we need to make sure we have good daily supplies of fresh foods, such as bananas, and plenty of water.”
A consideration for Katie is fuelling at a pinnacle event which may be impacted by nerves and excitement. “Some athletes might not want to fuel, some fuel more. It’s a balance we need to get right for each rider so that as an individual they are in the best shape to contribute to the team’s goals.”
While Katie will be providing support to the team from home base in Cambridge, Sam is heading to Paris as a very excited rookie.
“Paris is my first Olympic Games and I am unbelievably excited.”
