MotoGP – extreme physical sport part 2 / MotoGP

After a more general view of the more sporty side of MotoGP in the real sense – the pilots did a long and intensive training session, high, but mostly close to their 300 hp racing machines and a warm-up discussion with physio Erwin Göllner, second part: It covers the less obvious aspects of physical preparation but also about the most difficult type of training, working in sport-specific simulators.

Let’s start with the inevitable topic in MotoGP: injuries. Obviously, different rules apply to the professional athlete than to the average patient. What about motorcycle racers?
Erwin Göllner: “First of all, you have to accept that motorcycle racers are a special breed. They seem to be more addicted than other athletes and often go beyond the limits that make sense from a medical point of view. It is often difficult to convey what makes athletes do this. I think it is also rooted in history. The truth is, a few decades ago, when GP pilots went from race to race like in a circus and lived only on their entry fee, making money was important. Not starting due to injury was worse from an availability point of view. The feeling, “I have to be in the next race,” was everywhere. I recommend the biography of the world champion Jon Ekerold – Jon amazingly describes what happened 40 years ago. And on another level this still plays a role today. Not driving is the same as not being able to work and is still a big question today. Jobs are short and precious.”

This means that injuries cannot afford. What is being done to get pilots fit again as soon as possible?
“Professional racing drivers know that their sport also affects their body. Whether you are an athlete or not, there are constant processes in the body that apply to everyone. Of course, it is possible to fix a fracture and then get the rider back faster, but that always involves risk. Fractures that have not yet fully healed have a high risk of non-existence. Permanent weakening of the bones is the main reason for the risk of rapid return.
That then is also a balancing issue. For a professional motorcycle rider, a broken collarbone is not uncommon. You tend to accept the risk.”

Just like Jorge Lorenzo, who broke his collarbone in Assen on Friday, flew home, came back with a operated collarbone and raced…
“Yes, that is possible – but you have to want it. And that is also an over-exploitation. Marc Márquez is a great example of returning too early. The vibrations that affected the fracture of the arm after a short time opposed the healing process. The result is known: the arm is disabled.

And yet Marc is back on the bike and he’s fast…
“Yes, there is no question, with training, treatment and a lot of love, a lot is possible. But, there is always a downside. This is more visible through the aging process. A very intensive life of training, racing, little rest periods and maybe an injury one or more, all of these cause drivers to age very quickly. If you look at what happens to young guys in just a few years, that’s amazing and another part of extreme sports.”

Erwin Göllner continues to say: “What most people don’t even think about is the great influence that natural conditions have on physical performance. This primarily refers to the seasons, but also the day-night rhythm. It makes a big difference whether I do a race in England or a week later in Malaysia. Certain things, such as transportation itself, are much improved for drivers today. At least in MotoGP, the riders go home a few hours after the race – before, everyone sat in the passenger seat of a car or van for hours. »

How do pilots deal with jet lag in this very international calendar?
“You can only come to terms with it. For example, trying to get tired again quickly after a long ride and a training session and then sleep. Proper nutrition also helps. (Remember, we will also address the question “what do MotoGP riders eat?” in a separate session). Tests much has been done to speed up physical adaptations using dark rooms.

Let’s get back to the actual tutorial. From your point of view, what does the ideal training program for a MotoGP professional look like?
“What is true in any case is that there is not just one type of preparation. For the overall fitness portion, the goal will be to achieve the most possible muscle structure. Power is important, but it must be used correctly. This is achieved by using equipment exercises with high repetitions but low weights. Working on equipment regularly under supervision is important and if there is also an endurance sport such as cycling, which the athlete also pursues with passion, then that is good overall preparation.

And what would be understood by special training?
“First of all, of course I am speaking as a trainer who has dealt in detail with the requirements of Formula 1. This can only be transferred to a small extent. Centrifugal forces are unmatched in an F1 car. But they are a good example of individual training. Using the simulator that I developed, certain muscle groups can be trained under controlled conditions. Some neck muscles over the full GP distance in tropical climates. It was a very difficult development, but it was worth it because it means you can easily strengthen the exact parts you need under conditions that are as realistic as possible.

Does that mean that you personally can decide which muscles are used?
“Yes, actually, I see that as a big advantage. This means that the simulator can also be used for treatment. For example, I can continue to train a part or treat a pilot despite an injury. For example, if the pilot has a hand injury, I can still put him in and practice braking with him.

And a motorcycle racing simulator?
“Philosophically it’s the same. It’s about doing personal training, targeted under real conditions, natural for the driver. Technically, of course, it looks completely different. As already mentioned, after the treatment and tests of the big bike Bauer, I had the idea of to implement a simulator for motorcycle professionals. The basics were developed by the technician Wolfgang Felber. A model was also created.”

What do you think of a MotoGP training simulator like this?
“The main thing is to expose the driver to such stresses. Of course, the leaning position makes it difficult, but technically it is possible to simulate the leaning position and train driving styles. I think such training methods will come with time. The extreme style of Driving has increased the need for this even more, but a fully developed simulator can also be used for therapy.

At the end of the conversation with the training expert, Erwin Göllner wonders about the special feature of hang-off acrobatics:
“What worries me the most is the extreme position of many drivers with their wrists and arms in their upward direction. Bending the arm inside the curve creates a very unusual position. Also because pilots still need a lot of attention for the tight grip, I think this position is difficult – and I wonder if the technicians can come up with a better solution for the handles. Of course, the straight handle helps with support, but in the bends, and the extreme posture, it’s a curiosity that I worry about.”

Thank you very much for the interesting exchange!

In more sessions, in addition to nutrition, we also look at the topic of mental preparation and talk to athletes and coaches about their training programs.