The South African off-road beast joined us to cover everything from his first FTP test when he wasn’t even a cyclist coming out at 420w, to how he raises his FTP, how he manages nutrition and tactics as a big rider, and the absolutely dizzying numbers he does during a race winning move. #MakeItSay400
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(12:14) Should bigger riders focus on FTP or weight?
(18:29) Matt Beer’s crazy story about how he get into cycling
This was my favorite episode in recent history. Maybe it especially hit home for me because I’m roughly the same body type (6’4’’, #185ish). But despite Matt’s unrelatable power numbers, his opinions and advice were so practical! No “find your inner strength and embrace life” kind of BS. No sentiments, he just goes straight down to business in every single question he’s been asked.
That was awesome hearing from Matt and funny how it was released after he won Worlds, but recorded before. I didn’t feel that there was much coverage on the topic of the podcast. It was still interesting overall though. Seems like Matt is just a freak of nature in terms of his power numbers. I’m tall and a bit heavier, but none of those power drivers are happening here haha. I am curious what is really going on there. How could you possibly have a 420 FTP the first time you test without training it a ton??? that’s crazy
What did he actually win, as the gravel world champs are in October? I was waiting for a lifeline or similar highlights video but haven’t seen anything from wherever it was
Its a shame that the races that call themselves the Gravel Worlds are held on courses that dont accurately or positively represent gravel. The UCI Worlds last year was a bike path race and gravel in the Midwest looks to be a tedious suffer-fest (at best) or muddy hike a bike at worst.
Almost any part of Scandinavia could host more interesting, challenging and impressive races, but I appreciate that there are challenges with the shorter summer season and actually getting there.
I ride much, much better gravel on a daily basis.
This is a thread detail though and i should say that I enjoyed the podcast a lot, as a fellow oversized (even more so), high FTP (though 50w less) dude
Good podcast, worked out well with his win at Gravel Worlds showing some of that “big man” power. I can’t relate to his power numbers, but could still relate to many of his talking points. Particularly the part about slowing closing gaps rather than burning matches trying to match surges from punchier riders. I always wonder if that’s a good approach or not.
For anyone who didn’t listen, his FTP is 470-480 at ~182lbs. He talked about doing his over/under intervals at ~500/450. Hard to imagine being able to “recover” at 450w…..
INSANE power numbers from Matt Beers 
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