Athlete’s tip: Dominique Rollin, new-wave old-schooler
In this look back into our archives, the Canadian rider says hard work and smart training have made all the difference in his evolution as an athlete.
This article first appeared in our June/July 2010 issue.
Cervélo TestTeam rider Dominique Rollin is the modern version of a classic old-school, hardcore professional cyclist. Give the 27-year-old native of Boucherville, Quebec a race in bad weather or poor conditions and he’ll typically excel where others fail.
During a legendary stage of the 2008 Tour of California, Rollin won after staying away in a seven-hour breakaway during a brutal rainstorm. Earlier this year, he finished fifth at the Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, a race that saw only 26 of the nearly 200 that started cross the finish line because of frigid conditions. He says hard work and smart training have gotten him to where he is today.
Best advice
“Cyrille Guimard, who saw talent in me while working together at Velo Club Roubaix, told me ‘You are like every sprinter, lazy. The day you realize how to be a cyclist and work beyond laziness and make it hard on yourself is when you’ll achieve what you’re capable of.’ He was right.”
Training tips
“Don’t overdo it in the winter. Take your time to accumulate distance and keep the fitness with other sports. I used to under-train in the winter, but did too much intensity. I peaked for the pre-season training camp and started to lose my edge in the first races. Don’t get excited by seeing pros riding a lot in the winter. Take your time, analyze your goals with your coach and plan to be peaking where you want to and not on the training camp to impress all the others. Be the wise guy who’s almost getting dropped at training camp, but is going to beat them at the right time.”
Staying motivated
“Have a social life outside of cycling. When you’re done with your workout for the day, go out and enjoy what else life has to offer. The following day you’ll get back to your bike with the desire to ride. And, the old saying, ‘cyclists don’t walk?’ Forget that, walking is good to relax the legs and shave off those extra calories.”
Biggest influences
“I have had a few different people helping me along the way. From my first coach in Montreal, Pierre Lemay, who gave me the proper start and taught me the basics to my first team manager in France, Guy Gallopin (the brother of Astana director Alain Gallopin). He took the basics I had and pushed them a lot further. He gave me lots of input on self-maintenance, pedalling technique and tactics that I still use today. The last person, who still amazes me with his dedication and helped me grow as a person and an athlete, is my coach and great friend Brian Walton. He helps me on a daily basis to stay in control of my emotions, and cracks the whip when necessary.
