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After joining Yamaha ’ s factory set-up last year things got more serious in terms of sports science for Toprak . Modern-day works teams demand it . “ For the first time in six years I went to England for testing , and for me it was good , because I am a professional rider , and an official rider ,” said Toprak . “ I saw that I was very good at some things and bad at others . After these tests I go to the gym more , run and bicycle more .” He also rides and then goes to the gym at times . A whole new sport has been added to his training list recently . “ Yesterday I went to the mountains to do snowboarding , a full day , and my legs are finished ! I was incredibly tired afterwards . Today I said I would not go the gym , but inside I said ‘ you will go to the gym again !’ I can get bored at the gym - but inside I say go !”
Toprak , now 24 years old and with five WorldSBK race wins to his credit , is at one end of the WorldSBK factory rider extreme , in experience and his approach to training . But his seemingly looser approach still allows his 1.85m tall frame to weigh only 69Kg . Taller riders have to make extra sure they exercise and eat in balance to keep their personal ‘ power-to-weight-ratio ’ at a competitive level . Rea , now 34 and with almost 100 race wins on his record , is at the other end of the WorldSBK winner ’ s timeline , and almost the ‘ ideal ’ height for motorcycle racer - around 1.76m . He has been science focused and regimented in his training approach for some years now . Rea has a much more defined weekly routine than many , as he explains .
“ My weeks are pretty structured , through the off season and the season itself ,” said Jonathan . “ The only difference is the intensity or the frequency . That is partly because in the off season I can afford to run my batteries to zero , and then recover , so I can absorb the fitness gains . During the season you are trying to maintain at a very good level , stay well recovered and well
“ My weeks are pretty structured , through the off season and the season itself ”
-slept . That is important with a high heart-rate variability , which indicates that you are primed and ready for strain . During the off season we do not need to worry much about fatigue , but I am put under a lot of strain . Mondays and Fridays are generally quiet days . Days off are not days off now , they are
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