Our goal is to create an environment of success
for our athletes that delivers the best methods and technology for individual personal development and performance. We constantly seek better ways to operate in close partnership with innovative suppliers and experts from the sport of cycling and the broader world of sports science. Our trainers, Sebastian Weber and Petra Rossner, together with personal trainers, provide our athletes with periodized training plans refined for each individual's race schedule. We incorporate the latest technology and state of the art methods with experts in endurance training, nutrition, strength and recovery.
Power based training
is the 'gold standard' for cycling specific training. We exclusively use SRM power meters to measure, record and analyze athlete fitness levels, workload, calorie consumption, duration and intensity of effort, in both training rides and races. Each effort is recorded and downloaded for subsequent analysis and used to create subsequent training plans.
Aerodynamics
is a major factor in cycling. High Road works with Aerodynamic Guru Steve Hed in the wind tunnels in San Diego and North Carolina to determine optimal riding position and to collect data for evaluation and improvement of equipment. In addition the team takes advantage of the velodrome in Büttgen, Germany to conduct additional position testing using SRM. High Road works closely with the team partners to develop the technology of the equipment.
Product Development
This year the team is riding a new Giant prototype bicycle frame that has been developed with athlete feedback over the last two years. The team has helped to test and evaluate the frame during the process and now has the prototype on the road in race conditions for the final stage of testing. The new frame is lighter and stiffer in both the bottom bracket and the head tube than its predecessor and is over 30% stiffer and 10% lighter than prior models. The result is better power transfer and performance in all racing conditions and gives both Giant and Team High Road the best competitive bikes available.
High Performance Apparel
Our clothing sponsor is one of the leading manufacturers of cycling clothing in the world. Designed and manufactured in Italy, our technical clothing from MOA Sport (a subsidiary of Nalini) is custom made for each cyclist using the finest materials and design. This is especially important in time trial technology, with our time trial suit that is cut for minimum aerodynamic drag and maximum speed. In addition, we exclusively use Skins compression garments to ensure the athletes can recover fully and quickly from training, racing efforts and long travel.
Off the Bike Training Methods
Using methods proven in American and European Football (soccer) our core training program from Norman Kinetics and Athlete Performance is a major part of the team’s training and recovery methods. Experts in their field, Darcy Norman and Scott Williams have worked closely with our athletes over the past year to enhance their core strength which improves the direct power transfer through the pedals, increases durability and flexibility and decreases injury potential. They also concentrate on new recovery techniques and enhance motivation through educating the riders on techniques that can make definite improvements to their performance. We also utilize other unique methods of recovery including I-Cool Systems ice pools to lower body temperature and aid circulation.
Best Nutrition and Recovery Methods
We focus on nutrition and work with a diet that optimizes performance and recovery. We exclusively use energy products and recovery liquids and food from PowerBar and advanced nutritional products from First Endurance, which are developed with in-depth research on endurance and recovery specifically for cyclists. We also incorporate the latest in nutrition practices tailored to the needs of each athlete.
Health and Emergency Medical Support
One of the major concerns of professional athletes is staying healthy and recovering from injury. At High Road we work with doctors from the Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallkrankenhaus in Hamburg Germany. This is a hospital of maximum medical care that focuses on trauma surgery, orthopedics and rehabilitative medicine. Dr. Riepenhof and his team offer the best medical care available from illness and injury prevention to post-injury care.
Leadership in Anti-Doping.
We are committed to the fight against doping and employ the most comprehensive anti-doping program in sport. The testing is independent from the team and managed by Agency for Cycling Ethics (ACE) with the results sent to the UCI and WADA and to the team.
ACE’s program tests for blood doping, anabolic steroid use and hormone use, such as hGH. The program is unlike any other anti-doping program in both scope and nature. It is a year-round testing program of every athlete with a minimum of 26 collections of blood and urine each year. The key to ACE’s testing is a combination of this high volume of testing and the longitudinal analysis of the data which detects small changes in body chemistry. More information on how the ACE program works.
With the goal of being the finest professional cycling team in the world, we focus on the best tools, technology and practices available. Our sponsors and partners share our vision and we are focused on the same goals. We work closely together so that our partners benefit fully from our success and fundamental belief in clean and fair sport.
Cycling According to the Team
Cycling is the only sport with a multitude of elements: the environment, the individual, the team, the sprint, the climbs, the distance, the machine, the incomparable suffering, the rain, the sun, the snow. All these make it unique, great and something with which every person can identify on some level. - Michael Barry
Cycling for me is a very unique and addictive sport. It is very individual yet you have to rely so much on you teammates, I don't think you could say the same about any other sport. - Craig Lewis
I really like the complexity of the sport. No two races are the same and invariably no two races have the same riders in the team so there are so many issues to be sorted out under very stressful conditions. It isn't simply the strongest that wins, the best tactician can overcome the strongest of opponents which makes for very interesting races. The team that can remain the calmest under such pressure can have a huge advantage. - Roger Hammond
Cycling creates the opportunity for self-sacrifice and reliance on others – racing puts one in a position where they are entirely vulnerable and yet supported by people who they trust implicitly - Mara Abbott
Cycling is more a lifestyle than a sport. People very easily become hooked and follow racing religiously. It is probably one of the few sports where a race will be held in all weather conditions and even on the most miserable days there are still fans standing at the side of the road, watching the race. - Oenone Wood