New Season, New Medals: An Update from VIC’s batch of 2021
When a smart training plan is combined with a determined and disciplined athlete, magic happens.
In my 3rd year of coaching some of India’s most sincere cyclists, I encountered different kinds of challenges and learned how to make a training plan work for different kinds of athletes. My personal learning from this season has been immense. “One training plan suits all” is a myth, and even 2 very similar athletes who have the same goal for the season will need training plans that are modified or structured perfectly in order to suit them.
Putting in the effort to create the right training plan for each one of them can be tiresome, but when you see your athlete execute the plan to perfection, there is no sweeter reward for a cycling coach.
My 2021 batch of athletes has been a pleasure to coach, and I am immensely proud of each and every one of them. The medal winners from this batch are as follows:
- Anjali Ranawade – Moving up from the U-18 category to take the Women Elite category by storm; winning Silver in the Road Race and placing 4th in the ITT.
- Pratik Patil – Winning India’s most competitive race – the U-23 Road Race.
- Gurnoor Punia – a young athlete who is still learning how discipline is just as important as motivation – GOLD in the U-16 ITT.
Roshan Kumar – The work horse – After 6 years of hard training & racing, Roshan has finally won his first Elite National Medal, a Bronze in the Men Elite Mass Start. My pride and joy in his achievement are immeasurable.
