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Psychology For Speed

Research in sports psychology at Victoria University may help motorcycle racers go faster. Post-graduate student Alistair Stronach gave racers at a recent world superbike championship a questionnaire examining their psychological profiles.

Depending on their achievements, riders were classed as either `elite' or `pre-elite'. The profiles of the two groups differed in several ways.

Pre-elite riders dreamt more about racing, were more anxious before a race and, strangely enough, felt more confident than their elite counterparts about doing well in a race. Knowing what characterises the mental state of the elite rider may help in raising pre-elite riders to that level.