Show Notes
Episode 15 - Reflecting on the 2026 Season 🎙️
With the 2026 racing season coming to an end and most of our athletes moving into their off-season, Nick, Dylan and Jack sit down to reflect on the year that's been and some of the biggest lessons we've taken away as coaches.
We discuss what we've learnt from working with athletes across different levels of the sport, the importance of face-to-face coaching and building relationships, and how the demands of racing in Australia compare to Europe.
We also dive into athlete development pathways, the importance of long-term training and periodisation, and how we can better prepare young riders for the progression from junior racing through to the professional ranks.
A chance to reflect on what worked, what we've learnt, and what we want to continue building into our coaching practices heading into 2027.
Watch on YouTube 📺 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧 @wattmatterspodcast @nocsportsscience | @pinnacleperformancecc www.pinnacleperformancecc.com www.nocsportscience.com
Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview 00:19 - Season Updates and Personal Highlights 02:30 - Athlete Performance and Racing Reflections 10:03 - Key Coaching Lessons from 2026 19:55 - Athlete Autonomy and Understanding Training 30:06 - Building Relationships and Face-to-Face Coaching 39:50 - Australian vs European Racing Demands 49:52 - Junior Pathways and Long-Term Athlete Development
More from Watt Matters Podcast
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VO2 Max Training 🎙️In this episode of the Watt Matters Podcast, we unpack VO2 Max training - what VO2 Max actually is, how we test it, and how we prescribe training to improve it 📈. We discuss why MAP can be a poor tool for prescribing VO2 Max intervals, how Critical Power and W′ can be used in relation to VO2 Max training, and the types of sessions we use to target VO2 Max adaptations 🎯 We also touch on why improving VO2 Max isn’t just about doing high intensity intervals, and how other phases of training can still contribute to its development through broader aerobic adaptations. Watch on YouTube 📺Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧 @wattmatterspodcast@nocsportsscience | @pinnacleperformanceccChapters00:00 - Introduction01:44 - What Is VO2 Max?08:59 - How to Test VO2 Max15:54 - Differences and Practical Implications of MAP & VO2 Max19:56 - Specific Sessions35:00 - VO2 Max Training Blocks and Wrap Up
Tara Neyland: A Journey Into Para-Sport | Watt MattersIn Episode 9, we sit down with Tara Neyland to discuss her journey into para-sport, the challenges that have come with it, and the lessons she’s learning along the way 🎙️Tara takes us through her journey from a lifelong involvement in sport, to being diagnosed with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy, and the challenging transition into para-sport that followed.While Tara is now a multiple World Champion - claiming titles at the Road and Track World Championships in the road race, time trial, elimination race, scratch race and kilo during an incredible 2025 season - this episode is about far more than medals 🥇. We dive into the emotional realities of classification, identity, self-discovery, resilience, and the mental challenges that came with accepting a new sporting pathway. Tara speaks openly about the highs and lows of her journey, the process of learning track cycling from scratch, and how she is developing the mindset needed to perform on the world stage while managing the ongoing challenges of FSHD. We also explore the realities of life as a para-athlete, misconceptions surrounding para-sport, Tara’s mission within the sport, and the lessons she’s learned throughout her journey.This is an honest and important conversation that offers a genuine insight into life as an elite para-athlete. Whether you’re involved in cycling, sport, or simply interested in stories of resilience and human performance, there is something valuable to take away from Tara’s experience.Watch on YouTube 📺Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧@wattmatterspodcast@nocsportsscience | @pinnacleperformancecchttps://www.pinnacleperformancecc.com/https://nocsportsscience.com/CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction06:13 Tara’s Youth / Journey Into Sport10:11 Tara’s Diagnosis of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD)14:00 Classification Process in Para-Sport17:50 Mental Challenges of Transitioning Into Para-Sport32:15 Learning Track Cycling From Scratch44:11 2025 Race Preparation & Focusing on the Controllable49:45 The Positive and Negative Emotions of Winning World Championships56:10 The Future for Tara / 2026 Racing58:00 Listener Questions