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Oscar Nilsson-Julien looks like an alien. Its heart rate surprises even the most experienced competitors with up to 224 beats per minute (bpm). A young promise who will also make the leap to road cycling with the “Conti” team of Groupama-FDJ.
His career, which began in Kentish Town (north of London) to Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (scenario of the first stage of the 2024 Track Champions League last weekend), is already something out of the ordinary. It was formed on the historic track of Herne Hill Velodrome and the British-French-Swede decided to represent France with his sights set on the last Paris Games.
When I show my data, many tell me: ‘Your sensor is broken.’ I know it’s very high, but it’s never given me any problems.
Benjamin ThomasOlympic champion in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and winner of stages in grand tours, was amazed by his partner’s heart rate: “I’m a dinosaur next to him. I don’t go over 185 or 188. At 180 I’m already at limit. And he, so calm!”
“In a points race, which can last 45 minutes, I will be 195-200 beats throughout the test,” explains Nilsson-Julien. “You don’t have to think: ‘Oscar is going to explode’. No, I’m fine”.
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Video credit: Eurosport
Your coach at Groupama-FDJ, Joseph Berlin-Sémonassures that “Oscar has the ability to reach very high frequencies, which allows the blood to transport more oxygen to the muscles and, therefore, prolong the effort.”
On the road it will be more difficult to reach these frequencies
“When I show my data, a lot of people tell me: ‘Your sensor is broken’. I know it’s very high, but it’s never given me any problems. It means that when I give my all, I’m really at my maximum,” explains Nilsson-Julien, who occupies second place overall in the Men’s Endurance League before competing in Apeldoornsite of the next European Championships in January.
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In the first phase of the Champions League in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Nilsson-Julien reached 214 ppm in the scratch (where he finished 8th) and 213 ppm in elimination (2nd). Even he was surprised after a difficult week in training: “So high? There is freshness,” he celebrated after forcing the pace and pushing his rivals to the limit.
No one has equaled the records of Nilsson-Julien, whose profile is destined to evolve. “On the road it will be more difficult to reach these frequencies, especially in the mid-season objectives,” explains Berlin-Sémon. “The heart is a muscle that also adapts and trains. “We will see somewhat lower frequencies, but that does not mean that the athlete will be less efficient.”
