Antti talks ISDE
Antti Kallonen has been in charge of the USA ' s ISDE team for 11 years . On the Pegs ' Shan Moore got a chance to sit with Antti before this year ' s event and learn more about what goes into training the team .
words and photos by SHAN MOORE
WHAT THINGS DID YOU DO TO HELP US WIN IN 2016 ?
In 2012 , I set a three-year plan which was actually extended with a few years . It was close in the third year . We had some injuries during the Six Days and bike issues . So , we were right there basically on the third year . So , that was the ’ 14 and ’ 15 years . Then it just took until the 2016 until everything clicked and everyone was enough prepared to pull it together .
WHAT DO YOU TRY TO ACCOMPLISH AT YOUR TRAINING CAMPS ?
We don ’ t race the Six Day format here normally . Most of the riders have already been to Six Days , so
they know what to expect . We ’ re doing [ the training camps ] now a month and a half before the race . They have the speed , they have the technique , they have all the tools - now we just need to fine tune or to tailor their riding and practice towards Six Days .
There are no more races , no national races or anything to interrupt [ the training ]. We have four days full of just sprint enduro style , Six Days style racing , with the bike work and everything . It ’ s basically just a reminder for their mind and body that we need to prepare .
It ’ s not that , “ I got picked . Great . I ’ m good enough . I ’ ll just show up and race .” We ’ re not going to win by just showing up . Preparation is
ON THE PEGS // PAGE 96