Saunas, endurance blocks and racing track: How sprinter Ethan Vernon trains every week

Ethan Vernon, the rising British sprinter currently riding for NSN Cycling Team, has outlined the rigorous and varied training regimen that has helped him start the season strongly, including a stage win at the Tour Down Under. His preparation involved a substantial endurance block followed by intense track racing, mirroring a successful approach he used previously with Quick-Step. Vernon emphasises that his current team has afforded him leadership opportunities and a more personalised race programme, contrasting with his earlier role as a third sprinter at Quick-Step. Vernon’s weekly training routine is a blend of endurance rides, high-intensity intervals, sprint sessions, and heat acclimatisation, often incorporating sauna sessions to prepare for hot race conditions like those in Australia. His schedule balances hard training days with rest or lighter recovery rides, sometimes utilising technology such as the Timeshifter app to manage jet lag and optimise adaptation to different time zones. The inclusion of heat training, both through outdoor rides and sauna use, is a key component, helping him perform well in challenging climates. Looking ahead, Vernon’s ambitions remain firmly focused on excelling at the highest level of road cycling, with goals to win stages in all three Grand Tours and secure an Olympic gold medal. Although he values his track cycling background, particularly the team pursuit silver at the Paris Olympics, his priority over the next few years will be road racing, with selective track appearances such as the Commonwealth Games potentially fitting into his schedule. His commitment to both disciplines highlights a versatile approach to his career development. Vernon’s detailed account of his training also offers insights into practical methods for heat adaptation, demonstrating that simple measures like sauna sessions and controlled indoor efforts can be effective without the need for complex technology. His approach reflects a growing trend among elite cyclists to integrate environmental conditioning into their routines, which may inspire amateur riders to consider similar strategies as the UK’s weather warms. Overall, Vernon’s training philosophy combines endurance, intensity, recovery, and environmental preparation in a balanced and targeted manner.