The Knowledge: Rohan Dennis on the need for speed

The Knowledge: Rohan Dennis on the need for speed

Featuring Mini Coopers, Ducatis, the Hour Record, and Willis the Akita

Bahrain Merida Mini Cooper Racing Rohan Dennis The Knowledge

Rohan Dennis (Team Ineos) and Willis

It’s a 1998 Mini Cooper. It has hit 165kph, that I know of, but it gets a bit of wobble in the front end at that speed… We got it in 2014.

I probably drive my Ducati motorbike slower than I ride my bike. I know how dangerous it can be and it’s not really worth it.

I don’t think I am OCD, but I might be on some kind of spectrum. I count a lot, but it is always in fives. I don’t know why. The radio volume has to be on five, ten, 15, whatever. Same with the TV. I always try to get up stairs in multiples of five. Our house has six, ten, ten, then three. But if I go from the garage, I try to make it 15.

I will count pedal strokes on training rides and in races. The whole thing I thought about during my Hour Record was: hold, float, pedal and accelerate out of the bend. For 209 laps. Over and over.

Mentally, you are fried after a Grand Tour. Completely gone. I was more tired after any Grand Tour I have finished than after the Hour. But I couldn’t sit on a saddle for four days after. And sitting generally was difficult. If not for the saddle issues, I could do it again the next day. I might not perform as well, I might do better – I don’t know – but it’s like a big time-trial. That’s all it is, really.

 

The post The Knowledge: Rohan Dennis on the need for speed appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.

Bahrain Merida Mini Cooper Racing Rohan Dennis The Knowledge

READ MORE

No more ‘Mr January’ - Perfection from Plapp at the Giro d’Italia

No more ‘Mr January’ - Perfection from Plapp at the Giro d’Italia

The Australian rider’s win on stage eight of the Giro d’Italia is a breakthrough moment in his career which has been rife with setbacks

Read more
Giro d'Italia 2025 stage nine preview: The gravel awaits

Giro d'Italia 2025 stage nine preview: The gravel awaits

A Strade Bianche-style stage could be decisive for general classification contenders

Read more
Strade bianche pitfalls await: GC Teams brace for Giro’s gravel gauntlet

Strade bianche pitfalls await: GC Teams brace for Giro’s gravel gauntlet

Rouleur takes a look at how the overall contenders' teams shape up heading into stage nine on Sunday

Read more
Strength, faith and resilience: Egan Bernal is back at the Giro d’Italia

Strength, faith and resilience: Egan Bernal is back at the Giro d’Italia

The Colombian rider’s performance on the first summit finish has announced him as a serious general classification contender once more, three years on from the...

Read more
A tale of two tactics: The first summit finish of the Giro brings more questions than answers about pink jersey battle

A tale of two tactics: The first summit finish of the Giro brings more questions than answers about pink jersey battle

Red Bull pace all day only for Primož Roglič to be out of position and lose time to Juan Ayuso

Read more
Giro d'Italia 2025 stage eight preview: An up and down day in Le Marche

Giro d'Italia 2025 stage eight preview: An up and down day in Le Marche

A tricky Tirreno-Adriatico style stage offers an opportunity for a breakaway to take victory

Read more

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE