When we think of pro cycling career opportunities, we think of the riders on race day, but there’s a wealth of behind-the-scenes work that goes into making the magic happen.
Let’s discover the wide range of career opportunities within the sport and how Project PAU’s free online cycling academy can help junior riders develop the skills needed to thrive on and off the bike.
MORE THAN RIDING: PRO CYCLING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Cycle Mechanics
Where would we be without them? Mechanics are the glue that holds the team together and makes sure that the bikes are not only safe, but as efficient as they can be as well. There are subtle tweaks and changes that can be made to a bike to make it slicker, smarter, faster, which all counts on race day. It takes a certain type of skill set, passion, dedication, and knowledge to be able to manipulate these machines in a way that has them working harder.
Nutritionists
No fuel, no fire. Nutritionists are responsible for getting all of the goodness into the cyclists. It’s a big role and one that can be intricate in terms of preparing food plans and curating a diet that will add as much fuel to the tank as possible to keep them riding at a steady pace throughout.
Trainers
The crack of the whip, trainers are the motivators and the force behind it all. From plans to execution, minimising injury risk to ensuring that all cyclists they’re responsible for are not only well but happy, creating training plans that push them to their edges but also nourish and support them. It’s a job for those who have a deep love for the sport and a fascination for what the body can do.
Physiotherapists
The TLC that puts the riders back on track. It’s can be a gruelling sport, and having physios on hand that know the riders, know the body, and know the sport is an invaluable asset. Every race, post-race, coming in and making sure they’re ready to go again – as well as the support throughout the training phases.
Directors
Without a strategy there is little chance of a win. Directors are responsible for the strategy and logistics of a race, and ultimately have the control on the direction and deployment of how the team is going to win. A job with many hats and for those that are so rooted into the sport, but that have a bird’s eye view of the race and the ways in which a win can be secured.
CYCLING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: SO WHAT ELSE DOES IT TAKE?
Those are just a handful of the cycling career opportunities that are essential to the sport. So, really, it isn’t all about ability and agility, a passion for the sport and a desire to be a part of a team is a key part of getting into professional cycling.
At the heart of it all is a love for the sport. All of these roles require a level of dedication, and an unwavering love for cycling. At the crux, that is what is needed. Certain people will have a flair for different areas and elements of the roles, and there is some stuff that can be taught, but passion, you can’t teach that.
INTRODUCING PROJECT PAU
Project PAU is all about supporting young people to get into professional cycling. You might think that it’s only about the racing, and getting onto the junior cycling team, but it is about so much more. We want to empower young people and educate them on the ways that you can make this thing you love into a career with the variety of cycling career opportunities out there.
Our programme is fully-funded and free for anyone aged 13-18 to access, and includes weekly coach-led webinar discussions hosted by professionals in the industry, with all kinds of jobs, from different walks of life. If you’ve got that passion, we want to support you, and we’ll do everything we can to make those dreams happen.
Find out more about Project PAU here and get in touch to speak to us about how we can support your journey.