Earlier this year, we let coaches know about an opportunity to learn from the Great Britain Cycling Team coaches at Regional Schools of Racing.  

We now have an additional opportunity for club coaches to gain experience, at the Club Clusters of Training (CCTs) – the starting block on the Great Britain Cycling Team Performance Pathway.

These CCTs develop an environment in which riders and coaches have the chance to learn and develop. Whilst CCT’s are generally focussed on riders aged 12 to 16 years, they also provide a model of good practice for all coaches to follow in developing successful riders.    

CCT sessions allow riders to expand their horizons, meeting and riding with people from different clubs. The primary aim of CCTs is to bridge the gap between Go-Ride Clubs onto the Regional Performance Pathway.

CCTs help riders to develop the skills and fitness required to increase the standard of racing regionally and nationally. Not every rider has the desire or ability to move to the next rung of the ladder, however these riders will still have developed a higher level of competency and understanding of what it takes to be a good bike rider – regardless of whether their focus is performance or participation.

What are CCTs?

The principle of a CCT session is that youth racers (primarily in A and B categories) have access to training sessions in their region. The two hour skill-based sessions focus on developing physical components of performance, including:

• Speed endurance
• Strength
• High cadence sustained pedalling
• Peak power
• Race drills and coach-led racing that incorporates all of the above.

There is also a focus on coaching. The Regional Performance Pathway Coach will deliver initial CCTs with club coaches getting involved. British Cycling Go-Ride Coaches will also be on hand to help and support initially.

This enables club coaches to learn from the Great Britain Cycling Team and take what they learn into their own clubs. The club coaches will also be empowered to get more involved in delivering CCTs as the sessions develop.

Top tips: What coaches can learn from CCTs

Not every coach works with young developing riders. However, there are lots of things we can learn from how the CCTs are delivered.

Attend a CCT

Attending a CCT will allow you to see how British Cycling coaches plan and deliver effective coaching sessions.

You’re likely to get some great coaching ideas, regardless of the environment you coach within.

Link up with other coaches and clubs

This will help to broaden riders’ and your own horizons, promote learning from others and new coaching challenges.

Consider how to include components of fitness within your sessions

CCTs include both technical and physical components. For the majority of sessions you coach, you should also consider doing the same and what implications they have on each other.

Observe and learn about other disciplines in the sport

At CCT level, riders are not expected to have committed to or specialised in one discipline. That is because they may have the ability to excel in another.

Therefore, as a coach it is important to understand how cycling techniques relate to different disciplines.

If you would like any further information, please contact your Regional Performance Pathway Coach.