Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast - Presented by TrainerRoad HOW PROS BUILD MASSIVE FTP GAINS | Matt Beers | Ask a Cycling Coach 547
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Aug 28, 2025 Pro cyclist Matt Beers, known for his impressive FTP and gravel racing prowess with the Specialized Off-Road team, shares his journey into cycling and insights for bigger riders. He tackles the balance between weight and power, offers tactical advice for racing solo without teammates, and emphasizes the importance of consistency for performance improvement. Matt also discusses effective training strategies, nutritional balance, and mastering cadence to optimize cycling performance, making this a must-listen for aspiring cyclists.
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Relocating For Racing Advantages
- Matt Beers moved from South Africa to race and train in the U.S., noting differences like humidity and road quality.
- He used recon rides to confirm courses suit his big-power style and emphasized heat and hydration management.
Prioritize Power Over Radical Weight Loss
- If you can't realistically lose lots of weight, focus on maximizing power with targeted threshold and tempo work.
- Strip excess weight within your natural frame but prioritize training that converts muscle mass into usable wattage.
Long Threshold Blocks Raise FTP
- Regular 20â40 minute threshold-style efforts increase comfort at high sustained power and naturally raise FTP.
- Combining tempo, sweet spot and threshold work creates the physiological base for higher long-duration power.