Lance Armstrong’s former physiotherapist and drug exposé is set to launch an indoor cycling training and performance centre in Manchester later this month.
Emma O’Reilly, who was a key whistleblower in exposing the disgraced former Tour de France winner’s use of performance-enhancing substances, has teamed up with Jennie Duschenes to launch performance brand Pro Spin and the fitness concept Spin Club at the site based in Hale.
Pro Spin will combine coaching from Olympic athletes with stimulated training camps, while Spin Club will operate on a pay-as-you-ride basis like a traditional spin session.
“It’s all about bringing all the things I know and love about cycling to the amateur and recreational cyclists,” O’Reilly told MM.
“The recreational cyclists are are the backbone of cycling and that’s what makes it great.
“But an awful lot of these people have come into cycling late and don’t have the background knowledge.
“It’s not a big secret, so why not share it with them to make them enjoy the bike even more?”
O’Reilly, who has run The Body Clinic in Hale for a few years, is aiming to capitalise on the burgeoning north-west cycling scene and has received support from Armstrong, who she is now on good terms with.
“I spoke to him yesterday funnily enough, and he thinks it’s a great idea,” she said.
“The feedback I’m getting is so positive, people are just waiting for it to open.
“We’re also going to encourage teenagers to come down too.
“Wouldn’t it be great if we managed to discover some new talent and nurture it and see it through? I’d love to put something back in.”
The Dubliner also offered her views on the anti-doping culture in cycling.
“I think it’s an issue that is just part of human nature and something that’s always going to have to be dealt with,” she said.
“Sport is always going to be have to be aware and bodies like UK anti-doping are going to have to be in existence it’s because it’s human nature to push the envelope.
“One of the things that gives me great hope in cycling is the culture of change. The rider wants to ride clean and the decision is respected by team management.”
Overall, O’Reilly is confident the project will prove to be a roaring success and has hopes of rolling out the concept nationally in the future.
“I worked in cycling at a high level and if you do everything right and pay attention to the detail, it will be a success,” she said.
“It’s going to be good. I wouldn’t put my name to something that’s not.”
Main image courtesy of RTE via YouTube, with thanks.
