In this video, top sprinter Jasper Philipsen from Team Alpecin-Deceuninck takes viewers along for one of his training days in Spain. The tone of the documentary is relaxed and self-deprecating, showing the daily life of a pro.
When the Belgian trains on his bike, he isn’t out there alone. Many teammates live or spend the winter nearby. To allow them to ride together, training programs are adjusted. In the evenings, the pro colleagues build the routes for the next day on their laptops. Philipsen fits in and “follows the group.” Here in Spain, he sometimes rides with his teammate Mathieu van der Poel as well as with his sprint rivals Biniam Girmay and Jordi Meeus. This fits modern cycling: riders from various teams gather in training hotspots in the south to prepare for the season under perfect conditions.
YouTube video: A day in the life of Jasper Philipsen
The film also looks behind the scenes and “catches” Jasper Philipsen putting a bag of sweets in his jersey pocket. After all, those are carbohydrates too. The camera accompanies him during the roughly five-hour training ride. However, it’s not just about racking up base miles. The pros challenge each other and complete their intervals in a sometimes playful way.
Philipsen also explains how important training preparation is. This includes core and stability exercises in the morning as well as nutrition on the road. Speaking of being on the road: “A ride without a coffee stop is not a ride,” emphasizes the sprinter from Team Alpecin-Deceuninck. This also shows how pro training works. The pros need fixed points, small rewards, and social interaction. This is the only way to implement the athletes’ motto “Eat, sleep, train, repeat,” especially during season preparation.
Back at his home in Spain, it’s time for a shower and a snack after training—and suddenly it’s already after 5:00 PM. A short rest phase follows, and later a visit to a restaurant with teammates is on the agenda. After that, it’s time to relax in front of the TV—ideally with Belgian programming.
Lulu, the dog belonging to Jasper Philipsen and his girlfriend Melanie, shouldn’t be missing from her supporting role. Lulu even accompanies her owner to the hairdresser in the Alpecin Barber Camper.
Photos: Stefan Rachow/ Mr. Pinko
