24h Le Mans
First part of our series covering the physical condition of the drivers, their nourishment, sleep and how they handle the night. The No. 12 Rebellion R-One driver, Mathias Beche, reveals the great lengths of his preparation for Le Mans!
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Photo : Arnaud CORNILLEAU - ACO/Nikon
The Rebellion Racing racing driver doesn't work on his physical fitness at any one specific time during the year, as he explains: "Physical preparation takes continuous work, over several years. I started to prepare myself intensely for Le Mans at the end of 2012 for 2013 and my preparation has never really stopped because it takes months if not years to reach the desired level!"
Regarding sports he plays, he says: "I am not an expert in this or that sport, I do a little of everything to try and be as complete as possible. During winter, I prefer endurance sports. This year for example, I took up skiing, running because it was a little cold for biking, a little bit of swimming, meditation, gym workouts. When I get close to a goal, it's more about things that are a little more specific, with shorter training times - so for running, I would prefer to break it up. In the gym, I am work on my neck, the driver's position. I play squash also to hone my reflexes."
Certain parts of the body work more in an LM P1 car, as he confirms: "I work a lot on my neck because it can pull in an LM P1 car. On a circuit like Le Mans, it's not as bad because there are long straightaways that allow for resting. On the other hand, at Silverstone you feel it more. So work on the neck, the lumbar muscles, the abs because we spend a lot of time in the seat. We have to be able to keep up in the turns."
Going into the big week of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he reveals: "A week before the week of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, I do a big endurance session. Last Wednesday, we went to the mountains for a five hour hike to take in some oxygen at an altitude and also to sooth the soul! But, the week of Le Mans is the only time that I do nothing. That never happens the rest of the year to go five days with no exercise!"
David Bristol / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
Photo : LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SUNDAY 1ST JUNE 2014, TEST DAY. After physical fitness, Mathias Beche takes the wheel of the Rebellion R-One no 12.
