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In the equestrian world it's quite common for amateur riders with a decent level of riding ability to pay for lessons with a top level pro rider - my OH has had lessons with an Aussie Olympic medal-winning eventer, and an up-and-coming NZ professional eventer for example. Because being a pro equestrian isn't actually anywhere near as lucrative as you'd think, lots of top riders supplement their income by giving lessons, running clinics, etc.
Just wondering how many pro bikers coach as well? I know Katy Curd does, and Ben Cathro, but that's all I can think of. I guess pro MTBing pays better..!
Neil donahue used to?
Oli Beckinsale, Sally Bigam...
Elliot Heap is another
Elliot Heap does - https://ridemtbcoaching.co.uk/
being a pro equestrian isn’t actually anywhere near as lucrative as you’d think
I didn't expect it would be, FWIW. Niche sport like MTB innit.
I'm sure I've seen Sam Hill posting on Instagram about coaching in Oz.
Katy Curd does coaching here in the UK and skills weeks with Pure Mountains MTB in Spain
Edit: I should read the OP properly in future!
Just to add coaching with Katy Curd is really good. Had a half day with her last week and it’s really helped just from that one session. She’s really personable as well as being a good coach.
Elliot Heap is a superb coach - had a one to one with him in September and I'm planning another in the spring.
Matt Bottrill in time trialing has a large coaching business now.
Glyn O'Brien
Chris Kovaric/Claire Bouchar
Summer Gravity Camps in Whistler has had a pretty impressive line up of 'guest coaches' Sandro, Lunn, McCaul, norbs, Aggy, vanderham etc.
Ex professional count too?
Helen Gaskell does/did quite a bit of coaching.
I've ridden with Ruairidh Cunningham and Lewis Buchanan when they've helped out with Dirt School at Glentress
Jay Williamson does too.
An easier question would be are there any ex-pros that don't coach? Now that cycling is the new golf and everyone thinks that you need coaching, every ex-pro and their dog has got their BC level 2 or whatever and is trying to cash in.
IMHO being an (ex) excellent sportsperson doesn't make you an excellent coach, but it clearly has good marketing value!
Just to add coaching with Katy Curd is really good. Had a half day with her last week and it’s really helped just from that one session. She’s really personable as well as being a good coach.
+1 for Katy, had a really good coaching session with her.
Now that cycling is the new golf and everyone thinks that you need coaching
TBF hardly anyone gets coaching and it's ebikes that are the new golf.
Cedric Gracia
IMHO being an (ex) excellent sportsperson doesn’t make you an excellent coach, but it clearly has good marketing value!
Spot on, some people know exactly how to do but couldn't tell you!
There are also plenty of great coaches out there too.
The coach rider relationship
Cedric Garcia has been for a while. I saw the other week on Instagram that Yohann barreli was offering coaching weeks in bc, Canada.. I bet that would be a great week of riding/entertainment!
I was gutted I missed a chance to get some coaching from cedric, great vibe and reviews from the guys who did. Missed the chance to get some race pointers from Chris Ball the same weekend! I'll put the results down to that 🙂
Interesting.. I think I should have clarified that I meant skills coaching as opposed to fitness or otherwise, but seems like it's more of a thing than I'd thought.
Would definitely love a session with Yoann Barelli or Cedric Gracia but not really at that level yet! Good to hear that Katy Curd is well-regarded though, as based on my OH's experience at the BPW Women's Day I was planning on booking a 1:1 session in the new year.
Good coaches are good whatever the level 🙂 the better ones can really teach most people something along the way.
Indeed, you don’t need to be at a high level to have coaching. If anything it’ll make bigger changes when your skill is at a low level as it will help to stamp out major flaws. As you get better it will generally be more fine tuning to build speed etc - but at a low level it’s more fundamental things.
Phil Atwill was coaching for a bit, and from all accounts is very good at it.