Some riders have great mental fitness already — it is part of their package of talents. But for those of us without that talent, we don’t need to miss out, we just need to set aside time for learning the basic mental skills and strategies. My work with riders as a sports psychologist does just this: working together, we focus on five key areas which, when considered and incorporated into our training and racing, put us in the best position to achieve success. Once we have fully GR ASP’d these basics — Goals, Racing, self-Awareness, Support and Preparation — we’re ready to step up our performance.
Goals: trust in your target
We all have things we want to accomplish, but how often do we write them down, plan them out and really work out in depth how we are going to achieve them? Successful cyclists do this religiously. There are hundreds of studies showing that setting clear, specific, realistic and timely goals that are completely within your control can increase your motivation, commitment, concentration and confidence.
Going through a formal goal-setting process gets you crystal clear on the skills and improvements you’ll need to make. Done well, you’ll get regular achievements to tick off and a surge of confidence that you have done everything in your power to succeed.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike