Retül at team camps: Boels-Dolmans 2019-2020
Scott Holz getting the Retül Vantage ready for data capture.
Photo: Etienne Schoeman
Specialized has been working with the Boels-Dolmans pro cycling team since the beginning of their sponsorship in 2015. But, Retül technology hasn’t always been part of the team camp agenda. “In the early days we did not have Retül. I remember having to do everything manually, and doing my best to keep hand written records from one year to the next. For the most part I was the only fit technician working with the team, so as long I could remember my own notes, it basically worked, but it was a lot of work!” Scott Holz, Global program manager for Specialized Bicycle Components University (SBCU), reflects on the days when data collection was all done manually before the advances of Retül technology became the norm for riders getting ready for the upcoming race season.
Foreground: Amy Pieters, wearing the European Champion jersey.
Background: Amelie Dideriksen wearing the Danish National Champion jersey
Photo: Etienne Schoeman
“Over the years I have had the opportunity to see the team progress. For one team to have had four world champions, and three are still riding for them is incredible.” Stated Holz. For the last several years the team has rented a villa about thirty minutes from Calpe, a town on Spain’s Mediterranean coast which boasts a much more relaxing atmosphere than your typical hotel. “It’s quiet, and the team has a chef that does all the meals. The riders train from the front gate, and are on great roads instantly.” Not a bad way to spend your time training, especially in an area known for its beaches.
Setting up the Müve SL fit bike using the Shiv TT stack and reach rulers.
Photo: Etienne Schoeman
Unlike a hotel that usually has conference rooms which can be used to set up adequate Retül fit stations, the fitters and staff had to get creative and work with the space provided within the villa. Thankfully they were able to move some things out of one of the larger family rooms allowing them to get two Retül fit stations set up which gave them the ability to work with multiple riders at one time. In addition to using the Retül Vantage system for capturing rider data, the fitters also brought along two Retül Müve SL fit bikes which is an essential tool when trying to find a rider’s position without them having to get on and off the bike for adjustments. “We used one [Müve SL] for the [Specialized] Shiv TT fits, and the other for being able to quickly run through a range of positions during metabolic testing which was a new window into a riders performance on the TT bike this year.” Explained Holz.
With so many talented riders on this team, each has their own specific goals and things they want to work on during the off-season. The fitters address each riders concerns, and areas that they are looking to improve upon. One rider in particular gleaned some pretty significant changes as a result of her Retül fit session.
Scott Holz chats with Chantel, 2017 World Road Champion, before her Retül fit session.
Photo: Etienne Schoeman
“I have always enjoyed working with Chantel van den Broek-Blaak and this year was no exception.” Informed Holz. “She had overcome a back injury and a broken scapula, so she was really interested in getting her fit dialed. She recognized that fit is dynamic, it changes as her body has changed and it’s important to realize that. This year to be sure that the back injury would not return we paid really close attention to her TT position.”
After the session was completed the end result was a higher handlebar than they had done before, but through the metabolic testing the team discovered that it was not in any way less efficient. “She felt more powerful than she had before and was pretty sure that for her limited races in the season, any loss in aerodynamics that might occur were worth the feeling of power and especially comfort to protect her spine.” As we have said before, being more aero does not always mean being more efficient. It is important to find that “Golidlocks” position for a rider to suit their needs and goals on the bike.
Both the technology and processes at team camps have come a long way, and with Retül the riders can be sure they are set up for success. “It was a bit of a bitter-sweet team camp for me – as I am handing the torch to others to keep working with the team. It was one of my main goals this year to transfer as much of my accumulated knowledge as possible to the newer S-Racing/Retül fitters so that we can serve these riders for years to come.” Lamented Holz.
Photo: Etienne Schoeman
“This would be almost impossible without Retül now. Without having recorded poses from sessions year to year, without having Zin Files and digital measurements of rider sit-bones, and standardized notes in the physical assessments, transferring rider information at this level would be impossible.” Putting Retül at the forefront of team camps has been made possible by fitters like Scott Holz who support and trust the brand to not only serve the every day rider, but use that same technology to ensure that top level elite athletes stay at the top of their game without compromises.
View the gallery below for a complete inside look into the 2019-2020 Boels-Dolman team camps
