Putting yourself in a position where you’re stretched and outside your comfort zone can help you grow as a rider on many levels.
By Paddy Doran
PeakEnduranceCoaching.ie
This weekend sees the first Nations Cup race of 2016 for the Irish Under-23 cycling team; Gent Wevelgem in Belgium.
As well as the chance to get points towards World Championships qualification, there are great personal opportunities and challenges ahead for the Irish.
The team is comprised of Eddie Dunbar, Angus Fyffe, Sean McKenna, David Montgomery, Michael O’Loughlin and Matthew Teggart.
Managed by former pro rider, Olympian and former British national champion Neil Martin, the Irish team faces 185km of very tough racing.
This race is famous for its wide open coastal roads and also narrow winding lanes with cobbled climbs. All of it will be raced at high speed.
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Coastal roads, side winds and echelons
Side winds could be the big challenge on the coastal roads, with echelons forming as the race breaks up.
Riders have to be in the front when these groups begin to form. At this level – indeed any level - it also requires assertiveness to hold your place at the front of a group.
This is especially so when the whole field is fighting with each to stay near the front as the bunch is approaching sections of the course where everyone knows the crosswinds will blow and split the pack.
The run into the cobbled climbs on the narrower roads will also be frenetic, with everyone battling to be in front when the race reaches the bottom of the climbs.
Only the strong, fearless and very good bike handlers can expect to be at the front at the start of these ramps.
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And it is even harder to stay at the front when the climbing begins.
Some of the Irish riders have already proven that they can race with the best in the world. Others are in the early stages of their international racing experience.
These are events where leaders can emerge. Hopefully the lads will rise to the occasion. It’s an opportunity to stamp your name on team directors’ and Irish selectors’ minds.
Growth as a rider and story of Billy Kerr
It’s also a huge opportunity to grow as a rider. For example I once asked the late Billy Kerr what made the difference in bringing him from being a good rider, to a great ride; where he could race with the best amateurs in the world.
He told me a story about a stage of Tour of Britain. He was climbing the Great Orme in Wales with the winning breakaway of about eight riders, and Billy was suffering!
Then he looked around, and beside him was the then world amateur road race champion in the rainbow jersey and he was also suffering.
Billy said at that moment he realised he was a better cyclist than he had thought up to that point in time.
From then on he trained and rode with much more confidence and achieved lots of success.
So hopefully some of the Irish riders will experience similar moments during this weekend’s Gent Wevelgem.
The story about Billy Kerr can also be applied to any other cyclist; irrespective of ability or goals.
If you put yourself in a situation where you are extended by distance, speed, a hard route or the quality of those around you; take the positives from it.
And be secure in the knowledge that the intensity of the challenge will make you physically and mentally stronger.
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