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COACHING CASE STUDIES



Gerard Dunne



(Navan Road Club)



PACKAGE: Advanced
SIGN UP MONTH: June 2015
CAT BEFORE SIGN UP: A3
HRS TRAIN/WEEK: 10
GOAL: Move to A2
TIME TO REACH THE GOAL: 2 months
CURRENT POSTION: A1 after 5 months of training


"A massive thank you to Matteo Cigala at Cigala Cycling‬ for all your help over the past year. I can remember it was exactly a year ago that I was struggling to finish with the A3 bunch. In June last year Matteo started coaching me and it was something of a revelation. Up until then I thought training meant cycling for miles at a steady pace. Matteo made me reconsider how I was training and to set manageable goals. He also informed me about the importance of training according to heart rate zones and how to develop a strong core. In addition, I learned about what to eat before and during a race. It was not long before I started to improve and by August I finished as the first A3 rider in the Wexford 2 Day Race.
During the Winter months I had the privilege of training with a strong group of riders who inspired me to improve further. Our training sessions were sometimes tough but it provided me with an opportunity to gauge my progression. Before commencing the racing season I was asked to set goals, identifying my weaknesses and my strengths. I commenced the cycling season in February as an A2 and by March I had gained my first points finishing 2nd in the Lucan GP. I felt myself improving from week to week as I followed Matteo's training plans. Finally last week I achieved one of my goals for the season : I won the Connor Coombes GP.
This weekend I will compete in my first A1 race. I may find the pace difficult at first but with Matteo's support I am certain that this season will be my best yet. For anyone considering working with a coach I could not recommend Matteo highly enough."



Mark David Heather



(Clontarf Cycling Club)



PACKAGE: Premium
SIGN UP MONTH: October 2015
CAT BEFORE SIGN UP: Leisure
HRS TRAIN/WEEK: 8
GOAL: Lose 20Kg, come back racing,
Get from A4 to A1
TIME TO REACH THE GOAL: 18 months
CURRENT POSITION: A1
​

"I had provided a testimonial in May to Matteo after reaching what I beleived would be the pinacle of my first season of open racing, but decided to do one for him again at the end of the season. I had competed in 4 open A4 races and won 2 of them and been promoted to A3. Seasons objectives complete. But chatting with Matteo, we decided not to settle and see how far I could go, could I get some points in A3. We set about adjusting the plan, shedding some kilos and building on power and stamina for the longer races. I competed in 3 open A3 road races, getting dropped in the first, finishing 6th and picking up 5 points and then going winning my 3rd race, picking up 10 points and securing promotion to A2 in 3 open races. I suffered in a big way in my first couple of A2 races, but Matteo encouraged me to trust in my training and race smart and enjoy myself as I had achieved by 2017 and 2018 goals before in my first 5 months racing. As the season closed, I began to find form and am going into 2018 confident that with my coach and my desire I can secure more results in the season ahead. Thanks Matteo and looking forward to working together into 2018!"



Jonathan Grimes



(Sword Cycling Club)



PACKAGE: Advanced
SIGN UP MONTH: November 2015
CAT BEFORE SIGN UP: Vets
HRS TRAIN/WEEK: 9
GOAL: Win a race
TIME TO REACH THE GOAL: 5 months
CURRENT POSITION: Winner of 6 races this season and many podiums



"I've been racing for just over and month and already 2016 is shaping up to my best season ever with some great results so far. I couldn't be happier with my progress and I'm delighted the regular training and structure is paying off.

Matteo has helped me a lot, and has shown me how to make the most of my time on the bike so that nothing is ever wasted. His guidance, support and encouragement has given me the confidence to keep going and aim even higher for my goals.

#TrainSmarterRideFaster"



Marcus Harrington



(Wexford Wheelers)



PACKAGE: Advanced
SIGN UP MONTH: November 2015
CAT BEFORE SIGN UP: Jnr
HRS TRAIN/WEEK: 8
GOAL: Win a race and impove
TIME TO REACH THE GOAL: 6 months
CURRENT POSITION: Race winner and participated with good results at the JNR Tour


"Since first meeting Matteo at a bike fit organised by Matteo in Dublin, in 2015, Matteo's professionalism always shined through.
Matteo has an ability to inspire us to work with the given plans. Everyday we learn new and different approaches and our development is clearly evident over the winter months.
No two training sessions with Matteo were the same content with each session highly purposeful. Matteo has an ability to inspire riders and believe in their potential, whilst sharing his own experiences and his own coaching.
Matteos training sessions are fun, informative, with an emphasis on learning how to train.
Thanks to Cigala Cycling for the training so far this season, it has helped me improve a lot this year and I'm looking forward to the rest off the season with the help of Matteo Cigala!"



Keith Watt



(Unattached)



PACKAGE: Advanced
SIGN UP MONTH: October 2015
CAT BEFORE SIGN UP: Leisure
HRS TRAIN/WEEK: 8
GOAL: Lose weight, Accomplish the Wicklow 200, Cycle for 100 miles for 4 consecutive days
TIME TO REACH THE GOALS: 6 months
CURRENT POSITION: 15 kg lighter, from a normal leisure cyclist to a fit good rider.


"Seriously tho, witnessing unbelievable improvements to alround fitness and stamina since joining the Cigala Coaching stable. Haven't always appreciated the reasoning behind my weekly plans and tailored routines but have never felt as strong and getting stronger each week. Defo in safe hands, making more informed choices with diet, training zones, recovery, stretching, pacing effort and fuelling during longer rides etc. Huge thanks Matteo! All beginning to pay off"

"Feeling the need to show my appreciation to all you guys on the forum for the various tips and advice that I enjoy reading. I don't really do bakebook or contribute much here (& I'm certainly no club-racer) but I do appreciate the tips & tricks I pick here. If I'm honest, I haven't always understood the reasons behind my weekly plans and routines but the improvements I've seen since October speak for themselves. I hear some horror stories about certified coaches in the Belfast area but reckon I'm in good hands with someone who's actually "been there, done that and bought the t-shirt". Might start pimping these Cigala Cycling stickers around some scenic areas of the North Down coastline"





Johnny Clarke



(Navan Road Club)



PACKAGE: Advanced
SIGN UP MONTH: November 2015
CAT BEFORE SIGN UP: A3
HRS TRAIN/WEEK: 10
GOAL: Move Cat and ride the An Post Ras 2016
TIME TO REACH THE GOALS: Move cat after 1 month of racing, Rode the Ras 2016
CURRENT POSITION: From A3 to A1 in 6 months and looking for another Ras



John Holland



(Sword Cycling Club)



PACKAGE: Advanced
SIGN UP MONTH: October 2015
CAT BEFORE SIGN UP: A3
HRS TRAIN/WEEK: 10
GOAL: Move from A3 to A2
TIME TO REACH THE GOALS: 1 months of racing, 4 months of training
CURRENT POSITION: A2 and many great results through the season



Fergus Fagan



(Navan Road Club)



PACKAGE: Advanced
SIGN UP MONTH: November 2015
CAT BEFORE SIGN UP: A3
HRS TRAIN/WEEK: 10
GOAL: Move Cat and ride the An Post Ras 2016
TIME TO REACH THE GOALS: Move cat after 2 month of racing, Rode the Ras 2016
CURRENT POSITION: From A3 to A2 in 2 months and looking for another Ras



Jack Caldwell



(Team BikeWorx)



NAME: Jack Caldwell
PACKAGE: Basic
SIGN UP MONTH: November 2015
CAT BEFORE SIGN UP: JNR
HRS TRAIN/WEEK: 8
GOAL: Get good results in the first year Jnr
TIME TO REACH THE GOALS: 1 month of racing
CURRENT POSITION: After only a month of racing already achieved numbers of podium and first place Jnr



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