This week MarathonMTB.com Elite rider Graeme Arnott underwent physiological testing as part of his preparation for the coming Marathon season. The ergometre based test was undertaken by Fabio Petro, of Your Cycling Trainer. Petro has extensive experience training International cyclists and teams in both Australia and Italy.
Arnott’s test utilised his own bike on the ‘Ciclomulino’ ergometre, which reports power in watts and cadence to an attached computer. A graduated test was undertaken, with the wattage increasing each minute. At the end of the test, blood lactate is tested to understand the athletes tolerance to lactic acid.
Additionally, a maxium output was tested in three different gearing combinations. Along with skinfold testing, the results will be used to formulate a personal training plan for Arnott to use in the coming months.
“The Otway is the first big goal”, Arnott confirmed. “It would be great to do another three weeks in Euro Land again. Realisitically I would want that to involve a stage race.”
In the 2010 TransAlp Arnott achieved a top 25 overall placing in the UCI ranking with team mate Tim Bateman. This success is clearly something he would like to achieve again. Opportunities abound, with potential for another TransAlp attempt, or even revisiting the Sudety Challenge in the Czech Republic/Poland where Arnott achieved 4th overall in the Mens Teams in 2009.
Full details on the MarathonMTB.com Elite Team, their roster, race calender and supporters, will be available soon.