Coaching: The Key to Racing Success

By Giana Roberge- World Champion at Master’s Time Trial Championships, US National Time Trial Champion, Winner of the Etape Du Tour, record setter at the Presque Isle Time Trial, First Place Midi Pyrenees Time Trial Championships and winner of the Lance Armstrong Time Trial….

This is the first in a series of posts that will look at everything from whether a coach is needed to finding a coach and coach/athlete roles.

Do I need a coach?

The most frequent question that I am asked has been “how have you managed to meet your goals and continued to improve?”

The answer is truly the key to my success and may well be the key to yours: a coach. In my case, my coach Charles Howe is my best training tool. He is readily accessible via phone or email, approachable, trust-worthy and knows how to motivate and support me – all at the same time! He speaks to me with authority about what he specializes in (wattage and training) yet respects me as an athlete and person. We share in our successes, me as the athlete and Charles as the coach.

Is a coach necessary? A coach is a guide, a teacher and sometimes a mentor. In all other sports a coach is invaluable; at every Olympic venue the coach’s presence is noted by the commentators. A coach compliments the athlete’s desire to win; it is coaching, combined with the athlete’s drive, courage, consistency and dedication that makes winning, in any way the athlete defines it, probable.

Cycle racing is not just pedaling a bike fast. It is a technique intensive sport and needs to be coached as well as any other sport out there. Do not hire a coach to motivate you; cycling is a tough sport, and only the self-motivated will succeed. However, a coach – exposed and educated to the sport for many years – provides a non-biased perspective on your training that you cannot achieve solo. A coach will prepare you to maximize your potential when you are ready; a coach will also encourage patience when necessary.