Heat Training Becomes Critical for Cyclists Amid Rising Temperatures
Heat training has become an integral part of preparation for many professional cyclists, despite external freezing conditions in October. This method prepares athletes for future competition conditions rather than current weather.
When preparing for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, heat training was considered a niche practice for elite athletes. However, the increasing role of science in sport, coupled with rising global temperatures, has transformed heat training into a non-negotiable component of preparation, particularly for events like the Tour Down Under in South Australia.
Climate Impact on Events
Scientific findings indicate that sustained high-intensity performance in hot conditions can significantly impact the body. Data from Adelaide, the host city for the Tour Down Under, shows that the number of January days exceeding 41C has almost tripled in the past 26 years compared to the preceding 26-year period.
Athletes competing in the Tour Down Under have experienced adverse effects from heat, including impaired senses and reduced reaction times, which are critical in competitive cycling for preventing crashes and determining race outcomes. For example, during one Tour, a European rider became disoriented and rode off the road.
Environmental factors beyond heat also impact races. In 2021, a criterium in Victoria Park was held while smoke plumes from nearby bushfires were visible, raising concerns among competitors about local impacts and safety.
Policy and Sponsorship Concerns
Cycling's governing bodies are increasingly implementing extreme heat protocols and safety policies. However, consistently applying strict heat cutoffs, such as Cycling SA's policy of cancellation above 37C, could jeopardize significant portions of racing. It is estimated that 25 Tour Down Under race stages would have been cancelled under this policy, indicating a risk to the event's future if current trends continue.
Beyond competitors, extreme conditions also affect cycling tourism, which brings economic benefits to regional areas by attracting spectators and visitors. The impact of climate change on these regions, however, can be severe.
While athletes are being trained to manage the risks of extreme heat, there is a recognized need to address the underlying causes. There is a call for the South Australian government to leverage its major sporting events, including the Tour Down Under, international tennis, LIV Golf, and AFL's Gather Round, to encourage sponsors and spectators towards more sustainable choices. A specific recommendation involves replacing fossil fuel sponsorships of the Tour Down Under, arguing that promoting such businesses is incompatible with advocating for health, human performance, and future sustainability.
The current approach to climate change in sport is predominantly focused on enabling athletes to survive hotter conditions, rather than comprehensively tackling the root causes.