It’s commonplace to see rally drivers limbering up whilst cars queue by stage start in-controls, flexing their muscles in preparation for the physical task ahead. With timesheets and pace notes to study – not to mention drivers to keep an eye on – it’s rare to see co-drivers doing star jumps and squat thrusts; although not so for Ola Fløene.
There is no doubting Andreas Mikkelsen’s physical fitness, but his ŠKODA UK Motorsport co-driver has been shaping up too – and Ola has even been joining Andreas in his pre-stage warm up routine, before they blast off the line in their Intercontinental Rally Challenge winning Fabia S2000. And Ola certainly thinks this helped him guide Andreas to victory on the recent Sata Rallye Açores.
“I need to be in a deep concentration to be with Andreas as we go through the stages, and I work hard with myself on the physical and mental side of the sport,” said Ola, who between rallies trains hard in the forests around his home.
“Before the start of a stage, some of the drivers do push ups and a bit of running, and I do the same. The other navigators look at me and think I’m a little bit crazy, but I do this because it helps my concentration at the right level.”
Victory in the Azores was the ŠKODA UK Motorsport dynamic duo’s record-breaking third successive IRC win, and securing the win this time around came a lot easier than it had done before.
“On the first rally we won in Scotland last year, the last two stages were not easy,” admits Ola. “Then in Cyprus, when we were leading and had to finish the rally to win the title, that was a little difficult also. But with that experience, the closing stages in the Azores felt easier. We’re not used to it, but it was easier for sure!”
Source: Andreas Mikkelsen Official Website
