A track at the service of cycling

Last February, the Automobile Club du Luxembourg (ACL) and the Luxembourg Cycling Federation (FSCL) signed a strategic partnership aimed at encouraging cycling and strengthening sustainable mobility. One of the concrete aspects is the use of the karting track by young cyclists.

During an interclub meeting and the signing of a strategic partnership between the ACL and the FSCL, the go-kart track was used as a full-scale test for around fifty cyclists for a unique training session.

Under the supervision of Frank Schleck, national cycling coordinator of the FSCL, a group of young beginners were able to train in complete safety on the Mondercange track, which is normally reserved for karting. ‘We are very happy to be able to use this site for training without cars and traffic,’ said the former champion.

Training is normally done on the country’s roads, which does not always reassure the parents of these young enthusiasts. Here, with a course of just over 800 metres, safety is guaranteed. But beyond that, the track also allows for more intensive exercises or the practice of racing techniques and strategies.

‘We’ve done it here, we can do what is called a ‘scratch race’, which is a normal 10-lap race with intermediate sprints, or an elimination race, which is a sprint every lap and we eliminate the last runner. You can also do a time trial, you can train to better understand and take corners, you can train better to ride in a group, to manage braking, you can play on the intensity of the races, in reality, the track offers a multitude of possibilities without being in danger’, explains Frank Schleck.

‘Training here will help us a lot more in races, especially when it comes to working on our positioning in the race and tactics. We also learn a lot more on the track to ride better on the road, all without the cars and various obstacles that we might find on our training roads. And it’s always good to have something different,’ said several young people present at this first training session.

Obviously, this partnership does not stop at the provision of the karting track but goes much further with the identification of strategic locations for bicycle repair stations through an in-depth study of needs, training and practical workshops to learn traffic rules, bicycle maintenance and adopt the right safety reflexes, a political commitment to sustainable mobility, with increased collaboration with institutions and decision-makers to improve infrastructure and safety for all road users, including cyclists. Or the organisation of events for the general public, to raise awareness, inform and encourage cycling in all its forms. And continuous action to improve the infrastructure and services dedicated to cyclists.

More generally, the ACL wants to become more involved in promoting soft mobility by increasing this type of partnership and setting up other initiatives throughout the year.