Geraint invites his 'big boss' Dave Brailsford to delve deep into their relationship. They discuss secrets about Geraint, their night outs, and how to solve a problem like Tadej Pogacar. The hosts also reflect on their cycling journey and plans for the future.
Open and honest communication is crucial in a successful working relationship between Geraint Thomas and Dave Brailsford.
Losing can lead to growth, improvement, and motivation for necessary changes in high-performance sports.
Believing in one's ability to find ways to beat Tadej Pogacar is key, as he is not invincible.
Building a successful team requires a focus on values and behaviors, not just performance.
The safety of cyclists needs to be prioritized in order to prevent serious crashes and injuries.
Memorable moments in professional cycling careers symbolize progress and personal journeys.
Deep dives
Reflecting on Series 2 and Achievements
In this podcast episode, the hosts, Garrite Thomas and Tom Fordyce, look back on Series 2 of the Garrite Thomas Cycling Club podcast. They discuss the many milestones and accomplishments of the series, including reaching a million downloads, launching a new merch line, becoming an official club, and having notable guests like Brad Wiggins and Tareh Pogačar. They reflect on their favorite moments from the series, including inspiring stories from lesser-known guests like John McAvoy and Laurie Morgan. They also mention the possibility of a live tour in the future.
Long-lasting Friendship and Working Relationship
Garrite and Dave Brailsford, the principal of Team Ineos, discuss their long-standing friendship and working relationship. They recount their early meetings, including a memorable incident with a banana fight at Junior Worlds in Moscow in 2003. Dave reflects on Garrite's career and highlights his belief in himself and his ambition as key strengths. They also discuss the challenges they have faced together, including health scares and the pressure to perform. They emphasize the importance of open and honest communication in their relationship.
Challenges and Rewards of the Job
Dave opens up about the challenges and rewards of his job as a coach and manager in high-performance sports. He acknowledges the sacrifices that athletes like Garrite make, including hours of training, time away from family, and strict lifestyles. Dave discusses the responsibility he feels for his athletes and the difficult moments when their hard work doesn't result in the desired performance. Despite the challenges, Dave expresses his ongoing drive and ambition, as well as his passion for continuous learning in the field of performance sports.
The importance of adapting and evolving in sports
Sports evolve over time and no team or individual can win all the time. Losing can be beneficial as it allows for growth, improvement, and provides motivation to make necessary changes. Adapting to the pace of performance and constantly seeking areas of improvement is crucial in staying competitive as other teams get better.
The challenges and strategies of beating Tadej Pogacar
In order to beat Tadej Pogacar, it is essential to adopt a mindset that he is beatable and not invincible. Believing in one's ability to find ways to win is key. Being creative, both tactically and physically, and coming up with new approaches can increase the chances of beating him. While Pogacar is a talented racer, it is important to remember that he is still human and anything can happen in races.
The importance of team values and behavior
Building a successful team requires not only focusing on performance but also upholding values and creating a sense of belonging. Balancing personal relationships and professional conduct is crucial for leaders and managers. While allowing space for individuality and authenticity, there are boundaries that should not be crossed when it comes to damaging team dynamics. Making decisions based on values and behaviors over performance is essential for building a cohesive and successful team environment.
The need for safety measures in cycling
The safety of cyclists in the sport of cycling needs to be prioritized. The podcast participants voiced concerns about the increasing dangers and hazards riders face during races. There is a call for more measures to address these safety issues and to prevent serious crashes and injuries. The personal experiences of riders and the emotional toll they can have on the team are cited as examples of the importance of prioritizing safety.
Reflecting on memorable moments in professional careers
The podcast participants shared their personal reflections on memorable moments in their professional cycling careers. These moments included the start of the London Olympics and the pride of a yellow jersey being chosen as the opening act. Winning the Tour de France and the impact it had on Welsh pride and identity were also mentioned. These moments symbolized the progress and achievements made in the sport and the personal journeys of the individuals.
Reflections on the GTCC podcast series
The hosts expressed gratitude to the listeners for their support and participation in the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast (GTCC). They shared their own fitness improvements achieved through Zwift and the various challenges faced throughout the series. They highlighted the continuation of GTCC rides and expressed excitement for future episodes and events.
Acknowledging sponsors and their products
The hosts mentioned Mementus and their PR lotion as a loyal sponsor of the GTCC. They praised the benefits of the lotion in enhancing performance and minimizing muscle fatigue. They encouraged listeners to try it using the provided GTCC discount code. The hosts also acknowledged Road Captains, thanking them for their support and announcing the completion of the selection process. They expressed a desire to join in-person GTCC rides in the future.
The conclusion of Series Two and future plans
The hosts announced the end of Series Two of the GTCC podcast and expressed their gratitude to the listeners and everyone involved. They reassured the audience that the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club will continue, and promised upcoming bonus episodes and special events. They bid farewell for now and expressed excitement about returning soon.
In the final episode of series 2, Geraint invites his 'big boss' Dave Brailsford to sit down with him and Tom as they delve deep into their relationship. But what secrets will Dave B share about Geraint? Have they ever argued? What's Dave like on a night out? And how do you solve a problem like Tadej Pogacar?
