With the maths finally done after the recent UCI track World Cup round 2 in Cali, Columbia, the all important running points tallies for the team pursuit might come as a surprise – Russia lead on 980, New Zealand are on 960, Spain on 940, GB on 780 with Denmark and Australia sharing fifth spot on 600.
This was despite the Russians fielding a young team in Cali – the rankings will no doubt change as the World Cup circus travels to Beijing in January and Manchester in February, but it’s a very encouraging position for the team from behind the Ural Mountains to be in.
The Russians were one of the surprises of the recent Melbourne World Cup, taking the silver medal in the team pursuit behind the mighty Australian’s gold medal ride which was well under the magic four minute barrier; but ahead of the other member of the ‘Big Two’ of world level team pursuiting - Great Britain.
These three teams, despite being from three different continents all have one thing in common; Germany’s Heiko Salzwedel has been involved in coaching them.
In the 90’s he was instrumental in setting up the Australian system which now remorselessly churns out track world champions and road stars.
He had two sojourns with GB, helping to set up the World Class Performance Plan which would eventually result in the GB ‘Gold Rush’ at the Beijing Olympics; and then returning to the GB team after his tenure with Denmark.
When Salzwedel started coaching the Danish team in 2002 their best time was 4:23; at Beijing they recorded 3:56.
The rumour at the time was that GB ‘Supremo’ David Brailsford recruited Salzwedel because the Danes were getting too close for comfort to the GB team.
As well as Australia, GB and now Russia, Salzwedel has coached the powerful German team pursuit squad of the late 80’s and even had Mark Cavendish under his wing for a spell at the T-Mobile Development Team.
VeloNation caught up with him in Melbourne, not long after his men had set tongues wagging.
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VeloNation: Why leave GB and go to Russia, Heiko?
Heiko Salzwedel: I look for challenge, British Cycling has an excellent set up but there’s no challenge there for me...I couldn’t ‘add value.’
Russia needs help, I want to be needed and to put my own stamp on things – at BC I couldn’t really realise my own potential.
VN: Where’s home now?
HS: Berlin – some people commute to work on a bicycle, for me it’s on an aeroplane!
VN: And you’re responsible for all track disciplines?
HS: Yes, but I view the team pursuit as our flagship.
VN: Your team did a 4:01 in Melbourne – you must be happy with that?
HS: Yes, very happy, but it’s the time we planned. Between 1975 and 1990 the Russian team was on the podium at the Worlds in the team pursuit seven times; but since 1990 they’ve only managed to get there twice – I want to change that.
VN: The whisper is that it’ll take a sub 3:50 ride to win in London.
HS: I agree, I’m not sure how far we can go but there’s a lot of room for improvement – I don’t think the individual GB or Australian riders are any better than my riders but they are two or three steps ahead in terms of preparation and technique.
VN: Markov is with Katusha…is that awkward for you, due to the chance of conflicting programmes?
HS: All my riders are now 100% committed to a Russian track programme – but of course we’ll be riding a good road race programme as part of our preparation.
VN: Are you at a disadvantage to Team GB with their ‘Stealth’ bikes?
HS: I’m totally happy with our Cervelos (Denmark rode Cervelos to 2008 Olympic silver and 2009 Worlds gold in the team pursuit). Aerodynamically they are the best; I see no reason to launch a multi-million dollar bike design campaign like the British and Germans have done.
VN: Russia had an enormous pool of riders during the Soviet era; is it still like that?
HS: I was surprised to discover that there’s still a huge coaching infra-structure in place with big sports groups and cycling schools. But what’s lacking is a high level programme for the very best riders – something like the British World Class Performance Plan is needed.
VN: You have a way to go with the ladies squad…
HS: Eventually I want to spread my influence to all areas of the team – but at the moment it’s the team pursuit project which takes priority.
VN: Maybe you could have expected more from your team sprinters? (The Moscow Track Team were 11th in qualifying in Copenhagen).
HS: I did expect more - but there were other aspects to consider: there have been changes in the training regime, they arrived late and other issues, besides. We have work to do!
VN: Denis Dmitriev won the European Championships but only rode to 20th fastest in qualifying at Melbourne with a 10.3.
HS: Denis is much better than that – but he was sick coming into the Melbourne World Cup and not at his best.
To be 20th with a 10.3 speaks for itself; sprinting has changed so much, it’s unbelievable, the gears are so much bigger; the sprints are more like time trials now, but with another rider on the track, tactics don’t play as big a part any more.
VN: Denmark only rode to seventh in qualifying, does that make you little sad?
HS: My Danish Olympic silver medal squad does not exist anymore, some, like Alex Rasmussen and Michael Morkov have moved to the road whilst some have retired. I think for young team, 4:08 was a good ride.
VN: The Olympic qualifying ‘game’ must be in the forefront of your mind?
HS: Absolutely, with the solid ride we have done here in the team pursuit it means that in the World Cup in Cali I can experiment; it will be the Saint Petersburg team which rides – and then in Manchester we’ll field a young team. The sprint is the focus now, it means we have to go to Cali and Manchester – and all the travelling is tiring.
VN: What are your goals for the Russian team, Heiko?
HS: Well, coming from the GB team I have to say; ‘the sky is the limit…’