Doctors play a role in Pro Cycling

Posted: Aug 18, 2011 5:38 PM by Dr. Anya Winslow
Updated: Aug 18, 2011 8:37 PM

As pro cyclists gear up for the Pro Cycling Challenge that starts on Monday, so do their medical teams.

Centura Health Partners will be providing all the race medical support for the hundred plus competitors. Doctors will be equipped with everything from cars and motorcycles to Flight for Life.

One of the challenges is making sure doctors provide the proper care without slowing riders down.

"They've gotta be able to get the guy up. Get him patched-up while he's holding onto the medical car and going along at 40 miles per hour. It's huge. But if you took the time to stand there and patch-up somebody's road rash or abrasion, the race is over for them," says emergency room doctor for Penrose-St. Francis Hospital and one of the team physicians Dr. Michael Roshon.

Colorado's race will also provide other challenges many of the riders are not used to -- constant altitude.

"It's a rare race because they'll be at altitude for the entire race, which is very rare. [Riders] have to make sure they're getting rest and recovery between stages," adds Dr. Roshon.

These types of races are extremely taxing on competitors. Dr. Roshon says cyclists can burn anywhere between five and six thousand calories per day.