The sprint. That moment in which 15 seconds define the result of a 4-hour effort. It may seem that the 'volatas' are only reserved for the great sprinters in the peloton but this does not have to be the case.
As an amateur cyclist you can also improve your top speed, either to use it at the end of your next cycling competition or to gain variety in your training. Sprints have a very specific technique and following these tips is the first step to mastering them.
The first step to getting all the speed you have inside is to maintain a good grip on the bike. To do this, you must hold on to the lower part of the handlebars, not the levers as usual. In this way we will leverage and this will help us to transmit more force.
Once you have control of the handlebars, it will be time to adapt the position of your body. If you look at the professionals you will see how it is the bicycle that shakes, not them. This is what you should get. Starting from a strong and raised grip on the saddle, you should try to lean as much as possible towards the front wheel, without losing your balance. Then it will be a matter of not shaking your body from one side to the other and trying to keep it as firm as possible so that the transmission of power to the pedals is optimal. In addition, with this position you will achieve ideal aerodynamics that will save you some watts.
After all, sprinting is a matter of method. Although each sprint is different, the routine must always be the same. Training acceleration from very high intensity series with long rests will allow you to internalize the mechanics of a sprint and so when you have to execute it it comes out naturally.
Finally, the most important thing is to understand your abilities in order to get the most out of your sprinting ability. Perhaps you are a more explosive cyclist who works better for you to launch a sprint a few meters from the finish line or, on the other hand, your thing is to maintain the effort and despite not having a great top speed, a sprint far away benefits you compared to the rest. In any case, the only way to know yourself is by practicing. Only then will you discover what type of sprinter you are and what is your ideal distance to defeat your groupmates the next time you 'piquéis'.
