MotoGP backstage: how does a champion prepare a race?
We see them whiz on the track at 300 km/h, with an aerodynamic position on their bikes, muscles tense and maximum concentration to reach the most coveted goal: get on the highest podium, earning the gold medal. For lovers of two wheels, as for an occasional spectator of MotoGP, riders are the emblem of "sportsman" thanks to their physical fit, strong and flexible, able to deal any external pressure.
Athletes who seem invincible.
Even these contemporary gladiators have to face physical pain, often related to common diseases among those who go fast. Shoulders, neck, arms, hands and legs, during training as during each challenge, must bear overload pressures even extreme. The outcome of the competition can depend on the ability to endure and to depreciate quickly. That's why the 24 hours preceding each competition are essential to prepare the body to withstand stress and to deal with the match. Paolo Castelli - physiotherapist and osteopath who is alongside Marc Marquez and Scott Redding in the preparation of the every “MotoGP championship 2014” race – confirms it.
D. Backstage of any MotoGP race: what does a champion do the day before the race?
R. Saturday afternoon is our "D-Day", the zero moment. Giving us an hour of treatment, we dedicate attention to the "finishing work", a complete check of the athlete physical condition. Every little bother is taken into account and treated with a global approach, using manipulation and instrumental therapies to improve the condition of the racer. Each champion must get on track with the feeling, even psychological, to be at the top.
D. Among the instrumental therapies, is the Laser Therapy a useful support at this stage?
R. Definitely yes. MLS® Laser Therapy, which supports me for the 2014/2015 season in dealing with the issues that can affect Marc Marquez and Scott Redding, is very good to work on localized pain, reducing it in a short time and returning to the champion an excellent physical condition. For this reason, I use it even in the 24 hours before the downhill track, especially if the racer has some problems.
D. What happens when the athlete is in full form?
R. No one racer the day before the competition is physically immune to stress or pain. It is not necessary that he slides in pathology to have difficulty on the track: even a build-up of stress or the training fatigue can have serious repercussions on the body with relapses during the race. Even in these circumstances, to promote relaxation of the muscles working for example on the neck contractures, the use of MLS® is useful.
D. The appointments with the MotoGP held on Sunday afternoon. How do the racers live the morning?
R. The tension is sky high, but every athlete has learned a strategy to manage it better. Some of them are superstitious and prefer to stay away from the hype avoiding any further treatment session, while others need it to "feel" that their body responds to the best. Massages, as well as a session with Laser Therapy, are especially suitable for those suffering from tendonitis or need to relieve the pressure.
D. Is Marc Marquez among them?
R. On the contrary, Marc before the competition looks for the concentration, he wants to become estranged from all over to gather strength and, perhaps for good luck, does not want to be treated further.
D. What about Redding instead?
R. Scott, on the other hand, thanks to his stature well above the average, often needs further treatment session even in the morning of the race. For him manipulations and MLS® are precious because, being very high, he takes more muscle tension due to the physical location imposed by the bike.
D. After the pressure of the match and the podium, there is the time to hang up the helmet. What happens after?
R. The adrenaline is always high for who has won as for the racers who have been left behind. Also in this case there is not a universal rule, but all the racers needed to relax because the Monday morning they are back on track to train. Marc, when he does not have a plane to catch or a press conference to attend, in the evening has a break for a total relaxation only with “my hands”. With Scott instead the post-race appointment is a habit: to help him to recover we rely on a mix of manual and instrumental treatment especially if the fatigue is accompanied by pain. That's why I started using MLS® Laser Therapy also with him. These champions are incredible athletes, used to hold every effort and hard work, but they're still men…
