Getting onto a discipline specific RSR is not a simple feat – you have to work really hard to meet the performance criteria, and demonstrate you “have what it takes” before you are even considered for invitation. We are very pleased that Jamie Wimbourne was put forward by our Coaching team and selected to attend the recent RSR on Tuesday the 17th February.
Jamie shares his first RSR experience with us – enjoy!:
“Last Tuesday, I went to my first RSR session. The session lasts for the whole day, and not only focuses on on-the-bike skills but also how to be self-sufficient, and responsible for your cycling, not anyone else. This was reflected by the fact we all had to wash our own bikes at the end of the session!
In the morning session, we focused on our bunch skills, an area which I definitely consider to be one of my weaknesses. However, as the morning progressed, I felt more and more confident; and eventually we were riding on the track only a few centimetres away from each other, yet it felt completely normal as we had been practising for two hours. I definitely think I learnt the most here out of the entire day!
To kick off the afternoon, we did an anti-doping workshop. What I liked about it was that it wasn’t just someone telling us ‘don’t dope!’ But was more detailed than that. We learnt how to avoid accidentally doping (it sounds quite hard to do, but having done the workshop it was scary to know how easy it is!!).
For the rest of the afternoon we focused on cornering, specifically U-turns. Although often overlooked in cycling, I realised how important it was as the session went on; particularly for criteriums, which almost all youth races are.
Overall I found the session a massive success, because I felt I had managed to learn so much on how to race more efficiently.”
Well done Jamie – thank you for sharing!
If you want to know more about RSRs and the development pathway, visit this page here.