Mechanicals and Race Survival

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// TOPICS COVERED

(0:00:00) Intro – Matt Beers Wins Big Sugar and Lifetime GP Finale

(0:01:20) Matt’s 431W for 2+ Hours: Breaking Down the Power File

(0:02:03) Early Race Chaos and Tactical Start Decisions

(0:03:24) Opening Attacks: 693W for a Minute, 1,000W Surges, and the Breakaway Forms

(0:05:36) Working in the Lead Group with Riley Amos and Matthew Wilson

(0:07:04) Testing the Competition – Matt’s 600W “Probe” Effort Before Going Solo

(0:08:49) Winning Move and Mechanical Drama in the Final Miles

(0:09:11) Comparing Big Sugar vs. Little Sugar – Gravel vs. MTB Power Profiles

(0:11:57) Lessons from Little Sugar: Raw Power vs. Drafting Dynamics in Gravel

(0:13:05) Mechanical Mayhem: Flats, Crashes, and Surviving Big Sugar

(0:14:08) Jonathan’s Little Sugar Recap and Power Insights

(0:16:11) Fueling for 400W – Matt’s Nutrition Plan (150g Carbs + 600mg Caffeine/hr!)

(0:19:04) Looking Ahead to Gravel Burn Stage Race in South Africa

(0:20:25) Closing Thoughts – How TrainerRoad Athletes Get Faster

Specialized Off-Road’s Matt Beers joins the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast to break down his Big Sugar Gravel victory and mind-blowing power numbers — averaging 431 watts for over two hours to win the Lifetime Grand Prix finale. Matt and Jonathan dig into his race tactics, the violent early efforts that split the field, and how teamwork and smart fueling (150g carbs + 600mg caffeine per hour!) powered the win. They also compare gravel vs. MTB dynamics, talk mechanicals, and preview Matt’s next challenge at Gravel Burn South Africa.

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