10 Questions With Steve Bonnici

 

Posted 15/12/08

 

   

    1.What is your background in Cycling?

 

Bits of everything really, track, crits, road, MTB.

 

    2.How long have you been involved in Coaching?

 

I have been involved with coaching for the past 3 years.

 

    3.What are your motivations for coaching?

 

My motivation for coaching is to help riders gain knowledge in a in a short time scale and see them reach their goals making their cycling experience enjoyable.

 

    4.What would you like to achieve in coaching terms?

 

In coaching I would like to coach Welsh Riders to National level so Wales can become an even stronger cycling Nation.

 

    5.Have you found any new talents that you think could be the next Nicole or Geraint?

 

I have found that there is talent out there, it is hard to find talent such as Nicole and Geraint, I think a lot lies with keeping riders motivated to get  to that level and show them that it is possible and they can make it happen.

 

     6.Being a keen cyclist yourself what would you say is your most prized cycling possession?

 

My memories, my bikes, my medals.

 

     7.What’s your biggest sporting achievement?

 

My sporting achievements are being able to switch from one sport to another in such a small time scale and win various medals in Welsh National and Welsh Masters. I also finished top 6 in the World Masters events up against top class riders on such limited means.

 

     8.Do you have a coaching tip for aspiring volunteers looking to become qualified coaches?

 

Stay enthusiastic, good communication, point out the positives and learn from the negatives. It feels good to be liked weather you are a coach or a rider. Riders will give you their best if you are interested in them and keep training fun with serious motive.

 

     9.What is your favourite cycling drill you do on the Velodrome?

 

I have many cycling drills on the Velodrome. I get told sometimes “You must lye awake at night thinking up drills!” My answer to this is yes I do!

My most recent drill is a simple game of tag which consists of more than one rider chasing the other one to tag them, when tagged the forfeit is to remain riding up near the top rail of the track until every rider is caught. Riders produce amazing track skills to get away from chasers. Riders now have a new motive for their intervals as like racing you can’t choose when you have to go fast.

 

     10.Who do you prefer Britney or Christina?

 

I’m not really into mime artists, although I would ride on the back of any one of their tandems any day!

 

 

If there are an coaches out there that you think would be a suitable candidate for our 10 Questions please send nominations to anneliese.heard@welshcycling.co.uk