‘Gets Boring’- Top Cyclists Reveal Why Cycling as a Career Is Tough

Cycling through various terrains for 21 days straight in all kinds of weather isn’t easy. Although there can only be a few winners across the 21 days of a Grand Tour, everyone needs the motivation to keep going. While everyone has a different perspective, many point to a positive outlook and living in the moment. While the layman would believe that the physical toll of the race is particularly intense, pros claim it’s the mental battle that is the hardest to win.

It’s understandable to associate this battle with fortitude or stress. However, the real mental battle is the fight against mundanity and boredom.

Mind, Body & Fortune

Staying positive in times of constant repetition is a skill. According to Lotto Dstny Thomas de Gendt, the key is to not think too far ahead into the race. “Don’t look further than two days ahead,” is an infamous piece of advice he passes down to new-comers on the circuit. Jayco AlUla’s Jan Maas also has a similar mantra: focus on today, get through one stage at a time, and appreciate the journey.

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However, mind games aside, dealing with fatigue and injury over a three-week period is also a very real task. While many debutants get the hang of their long hours immediately, others take time to adjust. However, American Sean Quinn believes the mental and physical are not mutually exclusive. The physical fatigue often spills over into how your mentality, making it harder to get through the day.

Besides fatigue, injuries are a real problem. Injuries are increasingly likely to occur the longer you ride. It could be the impact of a crash along the way or just the strain of constant exertion. Luck also plays a very important part in the Grand Tour. From avoiding crashes to illness, there are many things you can’t control. Ultimately, the race is about living in the moment, overcoming the mundane, and leaving the suffering on the bike.

Essentials for a Grand Tour

While hope can get you so far, it’s indeed experience and endurance that get the job done. Veteran athletes can have the worst days while the young-bloods dominate or vice versa. The exact recipe to endure or even win a Grand Tour is very inconsistent. Ultimately, the race comes down to living in the moment, overcoming the mundane, and leaving the suffering on the bike.

While things can always change instantly on the track, your fundamentals are core to survival. From staying mentally strong to physically fit, the Grand Tour offers a test like no other. It challenges participants to not let anything deter their focus over a grueling 21-day competition. While anyone could have a good race, practically everyone can have a bad one. So, it’s important to keep yourself in check and live from one moment to the next without getting too attached or carried away.

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