Sportsister meets Para-Cyclist Fiona Duncan

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Earlier this year, Sportsister contributor and triathlete Helen Russell, spent a weeks training in Albir, near Benidorm in the Costa Blanca. Also making the most of the warm weather were some members of the British Para-Cycling team, including Fiona Duncan who had swapped the cold in Aberdeen for the Spanish sun.

Fiona is a sighted tandem pilot and competes in road and endurance track racing. She was introduced to cycling in 2003 by her husband, who is a keen cyclist and joined her local cycling club Ythan CC. Her first forays into bike racing included some local time trials and competing for the GB Police team (PSUK) at the European Police Championships in 2008 where the ladies team won silver.

She first started Tandem piloting in 2010 and was partnered with visually impaired cyclist Lora Turnham. Amazingly after riding with Lora for just six weeks they won a silver medal at the Para-Cycling Track World Championships in 2011. They then went on to win gold in the Time Trial at last year’s UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup.

Fiona made her Paralympic debut at London 2012 where she and Lora came 4^th in the 3km pursuit and time trial races on the track, 7^th in the road time trial and 8^th in the road race.

Helen caught up with Fiona before one of her rides to find out about her training and racing plans for the 2013 season.

What was a typical day like for you in Albir?

A typical day was usually a long ride of up to six hours in the mountains or a split training day with 2-3 hours on the road bike in the hills in the morning followed by a specific structured session in the afternoon on the time trial bike.

Did you do follow a set programme or just decide what to do from day to day?

We were following a programme from our coach but were able to make changes as required, according to the weather conditions.

What was your favourite route during your stay?

I really enjoyed the Col De Rates mountain climb which was a feature on most of our routes.

Does the British Para-Cycling Team ever go on training camps with the British Cycling Teams?

No, the Para-Cycling team and the able bodied GB squads share the same training facilities in Manchester but train separately on camps, as the race schedules are all different.

Apart from the sun, what is the best thing about warm weather training?

Obviously, the sun is the best thing. Training is always more fun in nice weather, especially when you know it is cold and snowy at home. It’s good to be able to get lots of miles in and not worry about catching a cold or sliding on ice. Also, it’s great to be able to focus on training and recovery without the distractions of home.

Did you do any other warm weather training this year?

I spent two weeks in Mallorca with the Para-Cycling team and will also hopefully take part in a team camp in the Spanish mountains later in the year.

What top tip would you give to people considering doing some warm weather training?

Do some research into the type of terrain where you are planning to train and make sure it fits with the type of training you want to do.

How many hours per week do you normally train?

It depends on which part of the season we are in and what type of training I am doing but usually about 15-20 hours per week. I am a full-time cyclist.

How has your season being going so far?

My first tandem race of 2013 was at the Tandem Tour of Belgium on 9^th-12^th May. The race consisted of four road races and two time trials. We had two new GB tandem pairings- the new Development Team pilot Corrine Hall paired with experienced stoker Lora Turnham and new Academy stoker Rhiannon Henry was paired with me.

Lora and Corrine took the leaders jersey in the Prologue Time Trial on the first day and Rhiannon and I worked hard in the subsequent road races to help protect the girls’ lead. Lora and Corrine gained more time on the General Classification (overall standings) on day three with 1^st place in the time trial and Rhiannon and I took 3^rd for a place on the podium alongside them.

We finished off the race on the final day with Lora and Corrine safely in the bunch having defended the jersey for the whole race. Overall, Lora and Corrine finished 1^st and Rhiannon and I finished 6^th. It was a fantastic team effort from us all.

Fiona stayed at the Albir Garden Hotel and was supported on site during her stay by Ciclo Costa Blanca. Helen also hired a bike from Ciclo Costa Blanca.

www.ciclocostablanca.com

Helen Russell, Sportsister

Helen Russell is the 2013 European Sprint Triathlon Champion and former World and European Sprint Duathlon Champion (35-39 age group) . She races for Team Tri-UK and is supported by Living Well Health Clubs, Mint-Ease, Elagen Sport, Cool Pilates and Bromsgrove Chiropractic Clinic.
@helengoth www.hrussell.co.uk

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