University puts MotoGP rider Chris Vermeulen to the test
The University of the Sunshine Coast today determined that Rizla Suzuki MotoGP rider Chris Vermeulen of Yandina has the endurance capacity of an elite athlete.
USC sport scientist Dr Mark Sayers said the highly-ranked motocyclist was put through his paces by staff at the University's Centre for Healthy Activities, Sport and Exercise (CHASE) in conjunction with Vermeulen's conditioning coach Rob Crick.
Dr Sayers said it was timely to test how effective Vermeulen's summer training regime had been before he heads back to Europe this week to continue his busy race and bike testing schedule.
“The lay person may not realise just how hard these riders are working to keep these big bikes on the best line and on the track,” Dr Sayers said.
“Previous testing at Phillip Island has shown us that Chris sustains heart rates of between 150-180 beats per minute throughout a race, and so endurance is a key form of fitness for someone in his sport.
“These high physical demands, linked with the demand for exceptional levels of concentration, place considerable load on the riders.
“Chris and his conditioning coach have been working hard on fitness over summer and so today was about providing feedback on how successful that training has been.”
— Terry Walsh