The pro races of the Vuelta and in Canada show: success in cycling is a mental game. How you handle setbacks and act tactically smart.
The Vuelta a España and the demanding one-day races in Canada have left their mark on the cycling autumn. Beyond watt values and aerodynamic equipment, the races delivered one thing above all: valuable lessons in mental strength, tactical flexibility and the right way to handle your own body's signals. Anyone who wants to achieve their own goals on a road bike or gravel bike can learn a lot from the pros.
Setbacks are part of cycling – this was particularly evident at the Vuelta. The young Scot Oscar Onley experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, according to reports from Cyclingnews: after two crashes and a severe gastrointestinal illness, he was on the verge of abandoning. He decided to ride on, fought his way through and finally finished his first Grand Tour in sixth place overall. The experienced Primoz Roglic also had to settle for second place overall after a sub-optimal preparation, but still booked this as a personal victory.
For recreational athletes, this means: a bad day, an infection during preparation or a crash are no reason to throw your entire season goal out of the window. Often it helps to adjust expectations in the short term, bite the bullet and make the best of the situation. Patience pays off – as Enric Mas also proved, who finally captured the red jersey of the Vuelta after many attempts and difficult years.
At the Grand Prix de Montréal, it became clear how important teamwork and tactical flexibility are. Ben Healy used the presence of his teammate at the front to go on the offensive himself. Even if it wasn't quite enough for the very front in the end, Healy emphasised to Cyclingnews how important it is to create options through active riding. Those who only react instead of acting miss out on opportunities.
If you are riding in a group or at a sportive event, you shouldn't stubbornly stick to a single plan. Observe your fellow riders, use the dynamics of the group and be ready to adapt your strategy when a favourable opportunity arises.
As important as fighting spirit is – sometimes pulling out is the smartest decision. Mattias Skjelmose, who was considered a great Danish hope for the World Championships, pulled the plug shortly before the start. After a hard Vuelta, his body signalled to him that nothing was left. Instead of torturing himself with no prospect of success, he cleared the spot for a fit teammate.
Remco Evenepoel also felt the after-effects of his previous efforts and the damp conditions at the GP de Montréal. He missed the podium but remained calm and emphasised that there was no reason to panic. For your own training, the following applies: learn to interpret your body's signals correctly. Recovery is not a sign of weakness, but the necessary basis for the next increase in performance.
Your takeaway: Accept bad days, stay flexible in your race tactics and listen to your body's warning signals in good time.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.