Soigneur experience for UniSA graduate
by Kelly Stone
David Hayes took on one of the most demanding jobs in the world of pro-cycling – aside from the one on the bike – during last month’s Tour Down Under.
The UniSA Physiotherapy graduate was physiotherapist and Soigneur to Team UniSA-Australia, taking care of the riders’ preparation, nutrition and recovery during the Tour.
Soigneur is a French word which means "one who takes care of others", and it was all in a day’s work for Hayes, 33.
"Being Soigneur meant doing everything from getting the nutrition ready for the feed zones in each stage, which included water, sports drink, concentrated forms of energy such as gels and bars; and organising the nutrition for after the race," Hayes said.
"After the race, each rider gets a general massage as well as treatment for anything specific, such as back and neck pain. Some of the guys don’t have any problems, while others have injuries which need managing or maintenance."
Hayes graduated from UniSA with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 1999. After working in private practice and undertaking further study, he is now employed as a specialist sports physiotherapist by the Australian Institute of Sport, working with Cycling Australia’s high performance cycling program. Hayes is based at the Adelaide Super-Drome at Gepps Cross but spends up to seven months of the year working in Europe with Australia’s top cyclists.
The 2009 Tour Down Under was the third TDU Hayes has been involved in. He said "the whole Lance factor" was a real highlight of this year’s race.
"There was a definite difference in the following the race generated this year," he said.
"The Tour Down Under is the best race we do all year in terms of logistics … considering the sheer numbers following it, it’s just awesome how well it’s run."