What It’s Like to Go Pro

How involved can a professional cyclist’s life be? Eat, sleep, ride. Right? Reboot that thinking! Check out our three Zwift Academy finalists (Jessie Donavan, Leah Thorvilson, and Yvonne van Hattum) in Majorca, Spain, who are at CANYON//SRAM Racing’s December training camp and each in pursuit of life as a pro cyclist.

Yes, just one Zwift Academy rider from the trio will be offered a CANYON//SRAM contract for the 2017 season. But Jessie, Leah, and Yvonne are all learning that racing a bike for a living involves legs and lungs—as well as photo shoots, eating, sponsor meetings, trips to the trainer, eating, gym sessions, and more. (Did we mention eating?) Awesome, indeed. And life-consuming!

Here’s a sample day in the training-camp-life of a CANYON//SRAM Racing pro:

• 7:30 to 8:00 AM – Core work or yoga in the gym
• 8:00 to 9:00 – Breakfast
• 9:30 to 10:00 – Pre-ride photography and filming session with sponsors
• 10:00 to 1:45 PM – Base-training ride; three sustained climbs at specific intensities
• 1:45 to 2:45 – Lunch
• 3:00 to 4:00 – Cockpit fitting and filming in time-trialing position
• 4:45 to 5:00 – Press interview
• 5:30 to 6:15 – Massage
• 6:15 to 6:45 – Meeting with CANYON//SRAM Racing team directors
• 6:45 to 7:30 – Knowledge session with equipment sponsor
• 7:30 to 8:30 – Dinner
• 8:30 to 9:15 – Knowledge session with equipment sponsor

Then it’s bedtime, so that a pro rider can survive—and thrive—again and again, for nearly two impressive weeks!