Riding Grand Tours is about the hardest athletic gig that you can find. Over the years, scientists have tracked the power demands and its impact on different physiological systems. A new study explores how GTs affect respiratory function and symptoms.

TOOLBOX:  This dynamic warm-up for cyclists could be the best way to create a solid base for your biggest gains as a “real-life” rider with a day job, family and other responsibilities.

Self-talk has been used very successfully by both scientists and athletes to improve their performance. However, does it matter HOW you talk to yourself? Is it better to keep your talk in the first person tense or distance yourself to the second person tense?

Best of TOOLBOX: Yes, training does make you fitter, but how does it actually improve your fitness? How much comes down to increasing haemoglobin and blood volume to improve oxygen delivery? How might we test this?

TOOLBOX: We know that exercise and an active lifestyle provides huge benefits to our overall health. But even something as positive as exercise can become addictive and take over our lives for the worse. What are the risk and risk factors for exercise addiction in recreational cyclists?

Spine stability and hip mobility are key factors for strong cyclists to generate the most power, strength and speed. Use these simple exercises to connect your glutes and increase range of motion to improve your road and gravel cycling.

Do you ever get the feeling you “don’t have the motivation”? Ever tell yourself you’ve “lost your drive”? As Vizzini advised Inigo Montoya in “The Princess Bride,” when this happens it’s time to go back to the beginning. We break down 3 key steps to keep your drive alive during tough times.

We’ve looked at muscle fibre typology of world-class cyclists in different disciplines, and also how typology may affect recovery from high-intensity workouts. Now let’s explore how typology may affect the risk for overreaching after a high increase in training volume.

Over the last few years more and more bike fitters and cycling coaches have begun to tout glute activation and “core strength” as being the foundations for performance on the bike. While this is certainly a step in the right direction, they are missing 2 massive components of performance.