The Catalan Cycling Federation: Technification

The Catalan Cycling Federation (FCC) has been committed to technification for over two decades, offering young cyclists a structured path to combine high-level sports with academic training. Currently, around twenty athletes reside in training centers located in Ripoll, Esplugues, and Banyoles, where they balance their cycling disciplines with education at secondary school, high school, and university levels. This program has nurtured renowned athletes like Marc Soler, Eloi Palau, and Abel Balderstone, addressing the challenge of aligning rigorous sporting careers with academic progress.

The initiative began in 2007 with the first center in Ripoll, where three young athletes aged 16-18 lived in supervised housing to focus on trial cycling while completing their high school studies. This pioneering project set the foundation for an essential structure in Catalan youth cycling, now supported by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Spanish Government’s Higher Sports Council. The centers provide residences for young cyclists, offering tailored schedules, academic advisors, and services such as physiotherapy, dietetics, and psychological support.

In 2018, the Banyoles Technification Center was established to support university students in Girona, addressing a key issue: many athletes were forced to quit competitive cycling after high school due to the challenges of university life. This new center allows under-23 athletes to continue their training and competitions while pursuing their studies.

Admission to the FCC’s technification centers is based on a scoring system combining academic and athletic criteria. Scholarships from the Generalitat cover most places, while the Ripoll center follows a mixed funding model involving family contributions. Athletes live on-site from Monday to Friday, benefiting from comprehensive support that includes condensed class schedules and curricular adaptations for competition.

“This represents a paradigm shift,” explains Xavier Ràfols, from the FCC’s technical committee. “Previously, centers focused solely on sports, but now education is an integral part of the process.” These centers play a vital role during late adolescence, helping athletes transition into adulthood with discipline and structure in both sports and academics.

The FCC’s program has not only produced strong academic and personal outcomes but also significant international achievements. Cyclists like Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) and Abel Balderstone (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) trained at the Ripollès center, which has also developed world champions in trial cycling, such as Eloi Palau and Sergi Llongueras. Palau’s journey is particularly emblematic: after being a resident at Ripoll, he became a world champion in the 20” wheel category in 2022 and later returned as a coach at the center.

This reflects the FCC’s continued evolution in supporting Catalonia’s cycling talent, combining elite sports training with personal and academic growth to pave the way for future champions.

Sergio Garrote: A champion forged in adversity

Sergio Garrote, a seven-time Catalan hand-cycling champion and 24-time Spanish champion, has achieved remarkable success with two European championships, two Paralympic gold medals, and three world titles. Honored as Catalan Cyclist of the Year twice and the favored son of Viladecans, his journey to these achievements was unimaginable years ago.

In 2001, a workplace accident left Garrote with a tetraplegic spinal cord injury, ending his casual cycling. For years, he struggled to find a sport that inspired him, dismissing adapted sports confined to wheelchairs. A pivotal moment came in 2014 when a friend introduced him to an adapted bike. Despite initial discomfort, he fell in love with the freedom it offered, beginning a journey that quickly led to international competition.

Garrote’s rise was rapid: within weeks of acquiring his first handbike, he was competing in international races. In 2014, he won his first Spanish Cup event. By 2017, he was medaling in World Championships, and his career has since flourished with over 100 national and international medals, including victories in World Cups, European Championships, and the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics.

Despite his success, Garrote faces challenges unique to adaptive cycling. His larger equipment and logistical hurdles add complexity, yet he views these as motivators. While he competes at a professional level, he lacks the stability of a long-term contract, relying on sports scholarships tied to his performance.

Garrote dedicates his life to cycling, training alongside able-bodied athletes to refine his skills. His journey reflects resilience and determination, making him a key figure in adaptive cycling and a role model for overcoming adversity.

This story is part of Nafent Magazine volume 12. Read the full story in our digital or paper magazine. Go to our webshop to get yours.