Advice

Graeme Brown

Jan 24, 2014

Graeme Brown is one of the most experienced professional riders in the peloton. His career started on the boards as a track rider then progressed to the European Pro circuit in 2002 for Panaria based in Italy with the final move to Rabobank (now Team Belkin) in 2006 where he has stayed since. A prolific winner with talents coming from his sprinting ability has enabled him to notched up two Olympic Gold’s in the Athens Olympics in 2004, one as part of the team pursuit and another in Madison with teammate Stuart O’Grady.

Graeme is now the main lead out man for Team Belkin’s fast finisher Theo Bos and he is planning a big year in 2014. We caught up with Graeme when he returned from his first training camp with Team Belkin.

Age

Nationality

Australian

Lives

Neerharen, Belgium

What have you seen change with respect to riders preparation and training over the course of your career?

Over my 13 years as a pro I have seen a lot more of a scientific approach. In particular, recently with studies into food manipulation to assist training adaption.

How do you feel coming from a track background assisted your success on the road?

I think coming from the track helps a lot with skills and above all leg speed, being able to produce power at a high cadence is essential to being a sprinter. Being a sprinter without a dedicated lead out has helped a lot in preparing the sprints as a lead out man.

Belkin has been known for its modern approach to training and preparation, has the team had an influence on your training? And if so how?

I have a trainer with the team and have done so since joining them 9 years ago. I follow the program and it has helped a lot in recent years, In terms of performance` my numbers are at their best and getting better with 'age'.

You are currently going to and from pre-season training camps with your team, can you give us a brief example of training undertaken and how different riders prepare for specific objectives for 2014?

I just got back from our first training camp, it was very simple long easy rides, a few sprints and 1 tempo session on a climb. Very basic but functional

How much influence does a powermeter play on your training?

I have used a powermeter at almost every training and race since 1997. I find it very important to my training` following power in efforts and seeing max power in sprint training.

You have been a successful partner with teammate Theo Bos in leading out your teammate in some of the world’s top races; can you provide us with some wattage numbers you are hitting in the run up to a finish or the sprint itself?

Normally speaking you won’t hit a big number in a lead out, if I hit a big number then Theo needs to do the same to follow, max power is only 1000-1300w. It is more about the 'average' power, well actually it is all about speed, drop him off at the highest speed!

For young Juniors and U23 riders wanting to make a career in the world of Professional Cycling what essential bits of advice would you give them as they progress in the sport?

Don't piss anyone off.

Your ambitions for the 2014 season?

My goals for next year are make sure that Theo and the team win a lot of races and I can secure a new contract for the following year.

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