To initiate Drug-Free Cycling interviews we spoke with a cycling expert : Lionel Reynaud.
Performance Engineer & Coach in Cycling, Project Manager in Aircraft Industry, Reynaud has been working on Cycling Performance for a decade and was the first coach to develop in French a power Training website (in 2002).
After more than 2 years collaboration with Cofidis Pro team, Reynaud continues his work to develop better coaching and better training through www.trainwithpower.co.uk and www.raceclean.co.uk .
Drug-Free Cycling : Thanks Lionel to accept to speak with us about your activity and your Commitment in Drug-Free Cycling.
Lionel, could you please present you briefly ?
Lionel Reynaud : I’m 32 and I’m working on Cycling Performance for ten years.
I began when I was in Engineering School creating my first modelling tool.
I began my Biomechanics study in 2001 building Training Method based on Cycling Power which seamed at the moment the most relevant value to use.
In 2007-2008, all cycling specialists arrived at this same consensus and Power use has been generalized in all Pro Team.
I’m working with athlete from 2002 and Pro Rider from 2003, I’ve been COFIDIS Pro Team Coach and Performance Engineer during 2 seasons (2005 & 2006).
D.F.C : would it be indiscreet to ask you about your current activities ?
L.R : No that’s not indiscreet, I continue my main job as Engineer (never stopped even when working with Pro Team). After some years passed as Automotive Project Manager, I’m working now on Aircraft Composite Fuselage.
D.F.C : okay but regarding Cycling ?
L.R : I ‘m still involved in Cycling Performance with my website : TrainWithPower.co.uk which presents all the aspect of cycling power training.
I continue my Coach Activities in UK as I joined the ABCC (Association of British Cycling Coaches) at the end of last year.
I’m working with British Cycling Coaches and I will write some articles about cycling performance and Cycling Coaching in Cycle Coaching Magazine.
D.F.C : Last Seasons were marked by several doping cases, during the last Tour de France in a interview with French Press Agency, you said that you were fed up to only hear about controls and a prevention politic has to be developed.
L.R : It’s a little simplified. Just let me explain: controls are the backbone of fight against doping but I’m convinced that allocating all the money available for repression is still not the perfect solution.
Some years ago, many substances were not detected in control.
In this time, the strategy was adequate to the sport world demand but now; in many countries there is a critical lack of prevention.
To respond to a lack of detection of certain substances, the strategy was well but if we want to involve next Champions Generation in total Drug-Free Sport; prevention needs to be supported too.
D.F.C : How prevention could be improved according to you ?
L.R : In my point of view it would be an important amount of work but a very large spectrum but for my activities perimeter, we could think to develop coach Training and athlete Follow Up.
A regular on-road Biomechanics follow up could be a key factor to prevent risks behaviour of course if this data is well used and ensure the best training and coaching around the rider.
Moreover if we merge this Biomechanics follow up with a real Medical Follow up we could propose to our athletes the best way of sport practice.
We have to keep in mind that an isolated athlete is a vulnerable athlete: Team & Clubs have to be with and around their riders developing the good fighting spirit with great value: Drug-Free Cycling.