Champion’s Training: How Toni Elias stays fit in the off-season

The 2011 MotoGP Championship is approaching. But before the official “kick off” hosted in Qatar on the 20th of March the new LCR Honda MotoGP Team racer Toni Elias (2010 Moto2 World Champion) and his colleagues will be on track for three winter test session staring from the first week of February at Sepang circuit (Malaysia). The Spaniard is not wasting time and has started a focused training programme to adapt to his Honda RC212V.

Lucio Cecchinello: “Toni has already “tasted” the MotoGP and he is aware about the efforts related to this machine. The weight of the two bikes (Moto2 and MotoGP) is similar but the weight/power proportion is more important aboard the 800cc bike. A premier class rider must increase his muscles especially in the upper body as in the breaking and acceleration phases he has to undergo heavy strains mostly in the forearms and in the triceps. Just consider that the bike can reach 340kmh in the breaking point! So a strong hold of the handlebar is fundamental. The right training includes the muscles reinforcement as well as the aerobics because the endurance is very important too. The best way to be fit is keep training on the bike and Toni practices motocross weekly”.

Toni Elias: “The 1st of January I have started my new training programme with a view to the next season. I really like the mountain and I live nearby so, together with my friends Ivan Cervantes (Enduro Spanish Champion) we concentrated on the winter sports. Climbing up a peak is not easy and the first week there has been very hard for me but then I have found my rhythm. In my opinion it is very important to enjoy what you are doing though it is very demanding. Sport must be fun. I practice several sports: footing, cycling (road and mountain), cross country skiing and long walks with the snowshoes, gym and some karting but what I like most is the motocross training with my dad. We have got a motocross track next to our house and my father is spurring me to do the best always. He is a former motocross champion and he is still very fast! Well.. I think I am doing a good job to be fit for the first round in Qatar”.

Source: LCR Honda MotoGP