Kate Auld’s Post

The path to sporting success is so different for every individual athlete. For some, success comes quickly, while for others it can take years to achieve their goals. Wrote this piece about Emma Finucane and Katy Marchant after the recent UCI Track Cycling World Championships. Give it a read in the link below. https://lnkd.in/dEnsVBiK

Watching the recent finale of Tour de France, one of the most gruelling cycling races in the world spread across 21 stages back to back leading to over 2000km of road covered with most being high altitude mountain climbs especially the Alps, got me thinking of how cycling looks at teams and what could be the mindset required for a team member in a race which challenges one to give so much physically, mentally and emotionally when most times you are doing it for someone else and may be you are never going to be on the podium or recognised for it. Knowing there can only be one person (often the leader) from the team to be on the podium and announced a winner, what could be the motivation for the rest of the team members to still give it their all at the cost of themselves to see that one person win?! In the corporate world though, we often hear about the leader taking all the credit for the team’s performance or the team members fighting amongst themselves for one-upmanship. How do we instill the essence of giving mindset in our corporate teams. I feel we have lots to learn about working teams from the cycling fraternity. #tourdefrance #cyclingteam #teamplayer #mindset

Elbowing Margin: I love the Olympics. Once every four years I become an expert about sports I pay zero attention to at any other time, especially where Aussies do well, like swimming. And track cycling. I was watching the women's omnium track cycling event on the closing day of competition. For the life of me I do not understand the scoring system for this multi-race event. I reckon you neee a PhD to do so. Saying this, the strength, skill, endurance and courage of the competitors was obvious. In one of the races, as riders whirled around the banked track, I couldn't help but admire the skill and courage exhibited as tight packs formed and the commentators stated how important it was for competitors to 'hold their position', all while crowded in by others furiously pedalling at ridiculous speeds. It was then I noticed the Australian rider, hands gripping the handlebar, flexing out her elbows like wings to create just a little bit more margin, a little bit of safety to decrease the likelihood of a crash. It got me thinking... Leadership can sometimes feel like whirling around a steeply banked track at top speed, jockeying for position, striving to win, the risk of a crash always just around the next corner. Often margin is narrow - very, very narrow. Time pressures, managing expectations, unexpected crises, dealing with conflicts large and small, a crowded diary...the list is long of the things that can squeeze the margin we enjoy, squeezing out stuff that matters most - time for family and friends, space for reflection and dreaming and creative thinking, room to replenish and renew - emotionally, spiritually and physically. In my leadership I'm learning that only I can elbow enough room for the margin I need to lead healthily and effectively. It requires the courage, discipline and boldness of an elite track cyclist to create the space to safely and effectively keep pedalling and cross the finish line. To win the prize. #leadership #margin

Last weekend was the final race of my competitive racing season, at the Beaumont Trophy in Northumberland, where sadly my race ended prematurely, over the side of a dry stone wall due to a crash. A frustrating end to the year, but nonetheless a successful one. I always find it worthwhile to look back over the season to pick out what went well and where I fell short. On reflection, it was my most consistent season yet, but sadly without any notable wins. In cycling, anything other than winning isn’t particularly celebrated, so ensuring you find small ’wins' in the processes of training and racing is key. Cycling isn’t a sport where you can just transfer team at the end of the season and suddenly you will win more than the previous year, such is the case in many team sports. ‘Nothing is easy in Cycling’ is a quote the current male Tour De France champion recently stated in an interview. You need to dedicate yourself to a process, consistently chipping away day by day, year by year and your base level will steadily improve. Your career is similar, in that your value is a product of experience and knowledge gained through years of challenging yourself and having a Kaizen (continuous improvement) approach.

Don't sweat the small stuff... try telling that to Sir Dave Brailsford. In 2003 Dave was hired as British Cycling's new Performance Director. Prior to Dave's appointment Great Britain had only won a single gold medal at the Olympic Games, and no British cyclist had won the Tour de France... ever. Dave quickly went about implementing a strategy he referred to as "the aggregation of marginal gains," which was the philosophy of searching for a tiny margin on improvement in everything you do. With his coaching staff he implemented all the changes you might expect from a young, ambitious leader. They redesigned the bike seats to make them more comfortable and asked the riders to wear heated overshorts to keep their muscles at the optimum temperature while riding. But they didn't stop there. They tested different massaged gels to see which led to the fastest recovery times. They hired a surgeon to teach the riders the best way to wash their hands to reduce the risk of catching a cold. They even painted the inside of the team truck white to help them spot little bits of dust which could degrade the performance of the finely tuned bikes. As a result of the team's dedication to the marginal gains philosophy, between 2007 and 2017, British cyclists won 178 world championships, 66 Olympic or Paralympic gold medals and five Tour de France victories. As Dave said, "The whole principle came from the idea that if you broke down everything that goes into riding a bike, and then improved it by 1%, you will get a significant increase when you put them all together." So next time someone tells you not to sweat the small stuff, remind them of Dave Brailsford and what can be achieved when you do the little things a little better. #marginalgains #smallchangesbigimpact #continuousimprovement #1percentbetter

🚴♂️💨 From Indigenous Roots to Cycling Stardom: The Inspiring Journey of Neilson Powless In the competitive world of professional cycling, few stories are as compelling as that of Neilson Powless. Not only has he achieved incredible feats on two wheels, but he also stands as the first Indigenous North American to make waves in this demanding sport. His journey offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to excel in whatever challenge they tackle. I remember my first triathlon; the nerves, the excitement, and the sheer challenge of switching disciplines under racing conditions. It's athletes like Powless who inspire us to push beyond our limits. 🌟 Whether you're a budding cyclist, a seasoned triathlete, or just someone looking for a bit of motivation to tackle a new challenge, there's something incredibly moving about seeing someone honor their roots while rising to the top of such a demanding sport. 🌍 What challenges are you setting for yourself this year? How do you stay motivated when the going gets tough? Let's share some tips and cheer each other on! 👉 Don't forget to consider how diversity enriches any field, and support those who bring unique perspectives to our favorite sports and endeavors! #Cycling #Triathlon #IndigenousSuccess #SportsMotivation #AthleticAchievement Discover more tips, insights, and resources by visiting our site at https://lnkd.in/gUW5iBSr

Times are a changing ! At the top right a photo from 1890’s a cycling club in Cornwall going out for a weekend ride . To left a modern day machine as used by at Saint Piran Professional Cycling Team . You may be pinning a number to go and compete this weekend that might be here in the UK or as we are now at Saint Piran pro cycling experiencing in the global arena . Greece being one of the home of one the ancient seven wonders of the world provinding a recent backdrop to our continued outreach across the world was a world away from Cornwall . How do you measure the ‘ opportunity to see a brand ‘? What value does a free to watch sport bring to any partner ? Does sponsorship rely on a logo on a jersey ? In being one of the few or perhaps the only professional cycling team ( and I can’t think of many other sports ) with no advertising on a jersey we feel perhaps one of the most influential and disruptive up and coming brands . Are these challenging questions or opportunities? #activation #partnership #traditionalsponorship #brand Steve Fry Danny Segers A.S.O. - Amaury Sport Organisation Trek Bicycle John Burke Koen Vekemans Quinton Van Loggerenberg Maurten Geoff Hall Paul White Dan Lauritzen Future George Hall Emily Cherry Caroline Spanton Harry Coe GEORGE LEVENTAKIS Jaguar UK George Bright Paul Mitchell Adam Harridence Nick Ogden Tata Group Shimano Europe Group Imerys British Lithium Limited Matthew Heal le de Tour France

🌊🚴♂️🏃♀️ **Chicago Race Highlights: A Masterclass in Triathlon Strategy** 🌟 This weekend, the waters and streets of Chicago witnessed incredible athleticism and strategic prowess at the annual #ChicagoRaceHighlights, brought to us by TriSpirit Outfitters. Here’s what every athlete and enthusiast needs to take away from this exhilarating event: ### Key Takeaways: 1. **Mastering the Waves**: A powerful start in the swim segment not only sets a strong pace but is crucial for gaining those early, advantageous points, proving once again that a race well begun is half won. 2. **Seamless Transitions as Game Changers**: The often-underestimated art of transitioning between stages can make or break your race. It’s not just about speed but also the smoothness with which athletes switch from swimming to cycling, and then to running. In my own experience, meticulous training in transitions has unexpectedly trimmed minutes off my total time, turning close races into comfortable wins. An efficient transition area is like a pit stop in Formula 1 racing—every second counts! 💭 What strategies have you found most effective in your races? Do you prioritize one segment over others, or aim for consistency across all? 👉 Share your thoughts and let's discuss the best tactics that help dominate a triathlon! #TriathlonTraining #AthleteLife #TriSpiritOutfitters #SportsStrategy #CompetitiveEdgeParticipants Discover more tips, insights, and resources by visiting our site at https://lnkd.in/gmwuifQN

"Marginal Gains - 1%" The fate of British Cycling changed one day in 2003. David Brailsford had been hired to put British Cycling on a new trajectory, who introduced the "aggregation of marginal gains,” which was the philosophy of searching for a tiny margin of improvement in everything you do. Brailsford and his team continued to find 1 percent improvements in overlooked and unexpected areas. Just five years after Brailsford took over, the British Cycling team dominated the road and track cycling events at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where they won an astounding 60 percent of the gold medals available. Lesson:- 1. Identify the area, where you need improvement. 2. Improve by marginal %age. 3. Be consistent. 4. Observe the performance. 5. Maintain patience. Improving by 1 percent isn’t particularly notable—sometimes it isn’t even noticeable—but it can be far more meaningful, especially in the long run. The difference a tiny improvement can make over time is astounding. For ex:- If you learn only 1 new word everyday, by the end of the month you will have 30 new words in your vocabulary. #Shashi #LnD #SIRCLE

#weekofgratitude “A team that sweats together sticks together" This is my week of gratitude and thank you’s to those who helped me get ready for the race. As I coach I'm comfortable that my input is often hidden but I'm gonna shout loud and proud about these legends as I couldn't have done it without them - or certainly not as well. Pictured are the main people who have joined me on rides, sent whatsapps of encouragement and shared hints and tips from their cycling lives, they have also pushed themselves alongside me and that builds connection in a way almost nothing else will. - Andy Hoath - Multiple rides, bike set up and general purchasing choice guru and top bloke. - John Fitzgerald - Cairngorm Bikepacking trip, Road Handling and Hill Climb Techniques and Map reading as well as helping me plot the Solstice Sprint Route - Legend. - Anthony Donohue - Fellow NorthRoad Cycles Owner, Rugby Coach and Goodwood Open Day Lap King; Alongside me. Solid as a rock. - Dominic Wray, Nathan Patel, Phil Feather and Joe Staunton - cycling buddies forged at the Ceyreste Performance cycling camp in Provence including the immense Mount Ventoux ride. Awesome folk. As a coach and leader I know that when a team faces into challenges together, asks themselves the big questions; what do we want, why do I want it, how can we get there, who do we need to be to make it happen and then works through ‘it’ to achieve success - there’s nothing quite like it. That is why I love working with and coaching teams; because I get to help them face into the questions they need to and become the people individually and collectively that they have the potential to become. Andy, Anthony, John, Phil, Nathan and Joe - thank you for helping me become the cyclist I have become and playing your part in me completing the Solstice Sprint - you helped me answer the tough questions I needed to. Stefan #coaching #cycling #leadership #executivecoaching