In 2023, cyclist Marc Cavendish premiered his documentary “Marc Cavendish: Never Enough” on Netflix, outlining his struggles with the Epstein-Barr virus as a competitive cyclist and the overall challenges of pressure and depression that wear on those competing regularly.
As the 2024 Tour de France finishes this weekend in Nice, France – the first time the race will not conclude in Paris since its inception in 1913 due to final Olympic preparations – it provides an opportunity to examine the challenges that accompany the uniquely isolated nature of this sport, one whose public persona is still recovering from the doping scandals of the early 2000s defined by American Lance Armstrong.
One might be surprised to learn that professional cyclists only spend about 20 percent of their year actually racing. The lion’s share of their time is spent training, resting and traveling. Oh, and all of that travel to the world’s most picturesque settings against the warm weather? Ask the average cyclists if their average experience extends beyond a hotel stay, shuttle buses and the blur of a course before they’re back on a plane to the next stop.
And then there are the races themselves, which can range from a single-day events to multi-stage races to the “Grand Tour” events such as the Tour de France, with its combination of mountain, sprint, distance and time trial stages that essentially make it five different races in one.
Like many “hobby sports” (e.g., tennis, golf, cycling) that are generally considered to have a positive effect not only on general well-being but also cognitive function, the story can be quite different and far more taxing for the professionals. Thus, the last few years have seen an infusion of technology – ranging from the material and design of the bikes themselves to rider tech like GPS and wearables to measure vital signs – that have increased the science around achieving peak performance.
One of the terms that intrigues us most at alphabeats when it comes to the routines of cyclists is the notion of “sleep hygiene,” which is essentially creating the optimal environment and circumstances to achieve the deepest and most restful sleep. This can be something as innocuous as avoiding caffeine before bed or putting down the phone, or it may involve incorporating regular neurofeedback sessions into one’s nighttime routines.
Ready to elevate your game? Join us at alphabeats and discover how our neurofeedback and music integration can transform your mental training. Because when you train your mind, you can achieve anything.