The Making of a Champion

Lance Armstrong said 'pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever'. Greg LeMond said 'it never gets easier, you just go faster'. Fausto Coppi, when asked by a reporter what it takes to become such a great champion said 'Ride your bike, ride your bike, ride your bike'... and the bottom line is they are all on the mark!

What does it take to be a winner, a champion, a strong competitor? What are the essential ingredients?

Lets begin with the first and possibly most important 'base' ingredients, GENETICS. This is the one factor you are simply born with and very little you can do to influence it, other than chose your parents carefully! Your VO2max and body type are predetermined. Sure you can tweak them, but a true champion generally hit the jackpot in the DNA department.

Next vital ingredient, DETERMINATION. Definition: Firmness of purpose; resoluteness. One of the most important predictors of success is determination, sheer willfulness, you must have it, at all costs! The will to pick yourself up when you don't win and try again. The dogged determination to achieve despite what others may say, or what obstacles you may come across along the way. The most successful athletes are those who have pushed through, regardless!

Ingredient number three, DISCIPLINE. This one is a no brainer. You can have the best genetics and the will to win but without the discipline to carry out the hard work it takes to get there, the sacrifices you have to make along the way, and the patience and persistence it is going to take to get there, you are dead in the water. You got to have a plan mapped out with steps to achieving your goals and the discipline to carry it out. The achievements you make in the process increase your ambition. With each step you gain confidence to stretch further next time.

Next up, BELIEF. Put simply if you don't believe you can achieve, you won't. Venus Williams said it, 'In my mind, I'm always the best. If I walk out on the court (and) I think the next person is better, I've already lost.' Athletes use visualization and see sports psychologists to work on this one basic important ingredient... belief in yourself. The most confident athlete, the one who believes he/ she is going to win, is most likely 100% correct!

Lastly you got to have GOAL/S. What is it you want to achieve? When, how and why?  No goal, no motivation! If you truly understand your motives and reasons, the motivation becomes apparent and the road forward becomes crystal clear!

In cycling.... and in life!

Women's Road Cycling in SA - where is it headed? Why would i recommend it?

To be quite honest, this question scares me! Why, because at the moment I do not see a huge future in the sport of 'women's' cycling. Firstly, the pool is way too small and does not seem to be getting any bigger, in fact, it is decreasing. Why is this? It a dangerous sport. There have been an abundance of fatal road accidents over the past few years that would make any parent cringe when seeing their child on a bicycle! The latest huge bunch pile up at the Argus involving the elite woman certainly does not help the cause! Secondly, there is a huge shortage of sponsors floating about. Cycling over the past few years generally has had a bad rap with all the drug  controversies surrounding international pro's, the Tour de France etc.

Sad since it is one of THE true blue sports (in my mind...). Its a sport that can challenge you from the physiological to the psychological. Its both a team and an individual sport. What could be more exhilarating than achieving 'your' given potential and finding 'your' limits. Its a true blue self discovery! Whether you end up winning races or beating/ striving to beat your PB. Its true... its a challenge... a personal challenge.

I diverse from the topic... let me get back to women's cycling. I have the privilege of having coached and coaching some of SA's best woman, and when i analyze their race and training data i am struck by just how dedicated these young woman are. They are mastering life skills. They are learning that rewards are earned through hard work and dedication. That good things come to those with perseverance, stamina and self belief. They learn about humiliation, delayed gratification, sacrifice and most of all they learn to believe in themselves. What a gift!

They learn about life whilst having fun on a bike. They fall and get back up. They live to fight another day. They win some, they lose some and most of all they enjoy the journey!

So yes, as a parent or a young girl/ woman i totally understand the fear of the sport. But... the upside is super special... its a journey to knowing yourself. WOW, what an opportunity! What a sport!