Masterclass Day – Tuesday June 30

Masterclass: Cycling Power

A bird bursts into the air, wings beating as it rises. A fish accelerates to escape a predator, body undulating side to side. A cyclist sprints to the finish line, legs extending and flexing at high cadence. What do these activities have in common? They all require cyclic muscle contractions in which muscles become activated, produce force while shortening, become deactivated, and undergo lengthening. Thus, these activities require integration of force-time (activation and deactivation), force-velocity, and force-length characteristics.

Many of you may have learned these characteristics as reductionist properties in which only one variable is changed while others are held constant. These reductionist properties are useful for presenting concepts of muscle physiology but they do not convey the complex interaction of those properties during voluntary cyclical locomotor activities. Indeed, in my experience teaching cyclic contractions, traditional lectures often left students frustrated. In contrast, students who assisted with experiments in my lab quickly gained understanding through hands-on learning.
These dissimilar learning outcomes motivated me to create “Virtual Muscle Lab” (VML) which duplicates laboratory those experiences. VML control panels include muscle parameters, which allows you to change muscle properties to represent a variety of muscle conditions and observe the effects on cyclic muscle power.

This Masterclass will begin with the reductionist properties, then progress to cyclic contractions using VML. In these virtual experiments you will learn:
1. The importance of activation and deactivation; properties that are often overlooked and can be altered with training.
2. The effects of fiber type, strength training, and fatigue on cycling power. Insight gained from these exercises will help guide the training you prescribe for your athletes.

In summary, in this Masterclass, you will gain a deep understanding of cycling power production that will broaden your understanding of training and fatigue beyond reductionist muscle properties and into the sphere of integrated neuromuscular function. Put another way; many sport scientists claim to have expertise in cycling but only a tiny percentage truly understand how muscles produce cycling power. By participating in this Masterclass, you will join that elite group.

Participation is not part of the conference registration. A seperate registration for the masterclass is required.

Masterclass: Physical & Functional Assessment for Cyclists — Practical Evaluation of Performance Limiters

Introduction
This hands-on masterclass is designed for cycling coaches, performance specialists, and technical staff who want to deepen their understanding of how a rider’s physical function directly influences both performance and health.
Participants will learn how to conduct a complete physical assessment of the cyclist, identifying functional limitations that can restrict performance, increase injury risk, or lead to sub-optimal positioning on the bike.

Why This Masterclass Matters
We will explore three foundational questions that shape modern performance practice:
Why should a physical assessment come before a physiological one?
How do functional parameters limit performance and affect long-term health?
Where is the added value for both rider and coach in performing these assessments?

By answering these, we connect evidence-based physical screening with practical applications in coaching and bike fitting.

Practical Assessment Components
Attendees will be guided through a structured, step-by-step assessment protocol including:
Anatomical & Functional Evaluation
Identification of basic anatomical reference points
Leg length discrepancy
Leg extension flexibility
Hip flexibility and rotation
Internal and external leg rotation
Spinal configuration (side and front views)
Pelvic tilting evaluation
Knee functional testing
Calf functional testing
Foot assessment, including:
-Navicular drop test
-Metatarsal configuration
-Varus / valgus tendencies
-Elbow flexibility

Each test will be demonstrated, practiced, and contextualised within performance analysis.

Integrating Assessment Into Bike Fitting
The second part of the masterclass focuses on how to apply these findings in a simple, coherent bike fitting process
Attendees will learn how to translate functional assessment into:

More individualised rider positioning
More accurate equipment decisions
Clear communication pathways between coach, rider, and fitter

This segment bridges the gap between off-bike assessment and on-bike setup—ensuring every fitting decision is grounded in functional reality.

Who Should Attend
This masterclass is ideal for:
Coaches, bike fitters, performance staff, medical or support practitioners
Anyone looking to elevate their assessment skills with practical, immediately applicable techniques

Participation is not part of the conference registration. A seperate registration for the masterclass is required.

Workshop: Safety in Cycling

Introduction

Participation is not part of the conference registration. A seperate registration for the masterclass is required.

Day 1 – Wednesday July

Welcome & Opening

Opening Session                                                              Chair: 

Coffee break

Session 1                                                              Chair:

Session 2                                                              Chair: 

Lunch break

Poster presentations

 Session 3                                                                 Chair: Peter Leo

Session 4                                                                        Chair: 

Coffee break

Session 5                                                                          Chair: 

Session 6                                                                    Chair: 

Demo STT Systems

Conference evening

Day 2 – Thursday July 2

Session 7    Chair: 

Session 8                                                                        Chair: 

Coffee break

Session 9 Chair: 

Session 10 Chair:

Lunch break

Poster presentations

Session 11                                                                      Chair:

 

Session 12                                                                        Chair:

 

Coffee break

Session 13                                                                          Chair:

 

Session 14                                                                          Chair: 

Tour de France                                                                       Team presentation