Cycling Training Tips

Interviews

Interviews with cyclists and coaches

Power Meter Project 2007 – Paul Skiba

The first rider I will introduce you to is Paul Skiba, who raced as a professional in the early 90’s. His current training amount pr week is 12-15hrs, less in recovery weeks.

Name: Paul Skiba
Age: 46
Power meter: SRM Dura Ace

How would you describe yourself as a cyclist?
I’ve been a cyclist and a fan of cycling for the last 23 years. I took up cycling in the mid-80’s when I found myself stationed in Naples, Italy where I worked for NATO. I rode primarily on the road during this time. In the late 80’s and early 90’s I took up mountain bike racing. I lived in Boulder, CO and raced for a team that was headquartered in Chico, CA. I rode as an expert on the Grundig World Cup for 2 seasons. After a near fatal accident I returned to the road as a recreational rider. During the last few years I have returned to the road race scene as a master racer.

My strength as a cyclist is my ability to hang with the fastest racers in the pack. My weakness is my inability to separate myself from the fastest racers. My endurance is good. My climbing is good. My sprint is good. None of the above are great.

Read the full interview with Paul Skiba

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Interview with Serguei Gonchar

Tim Maloney from Cyclingnews.com has made a very interesting interview with T-mobile´s time trialist specialist Serguei Gonchar, Ukraine. Gonchar has been one of the best time trialists in the world for the last decade.

A couple of highlights from the interview:

On being called Honchar: “Yeah! In the last few years, people got used to calling me Honchar, especially in Italy, but that is not my name. So during the Tour De France, when I was team leader for a few stages, it was even more important to get my right name out there. It was the fault of a secretary in the passport office back home in Ukraine and I have had to live with this. But finally I was able to say ‘my name is Gonchar, so call me that’.

On the Floyd Landis affair: “I really can’t say anything at this point”¦ except that I’m sorry to see a sponsor like Phonak leave the sport. They have been around for a long time and have supported cycling so it’s too bad they are leaving. Cycling is taking hits from all sides lately”¦ it’s seems like some kind of fashion trend!”

On his gear choice in time trials: “Not many other riders can [ride such big gears]”¦ I guess I have become famous for it! I don’t really know where it comes from. I’ve always ridden time trials like that since I was a young rider and have always used big gears for time trials. When I’m in the race, it doesn’t feel to me like I’m pushing a big gear, but like I’m pedaling with agility. But afterwards when I see myself on TV, it looks like I’m pedaling slow and going slow,”

Read the full interview

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