You Got Stronger… So Why Are You Losing? | Pro Cyclist Tobin Ortenblad | Ask a Cycling Coach 583

Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast
1

Good to have Tobin on the pod again to answer some athlete questions on race tactics and training!

Hope you enjoy :slight_smile:

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(00:00:00) Welcome!
(00:15:20) Race Tactics That Actually Win
(00:25:30) How to Make Better Decisions in Races
(00:45:50) Positioning Secrets Most Riders Miss
(01:03:30) Technique vs Power: What to Focus On
(01:10:15) How to Balance Power and Bike Handling
(01:16:30) Common Mistakes Slowing You Down
(01:19:30) Lost & Found Gravel Race Talk

In this episode, Coach Jonathan Lee and pro cyclist Tobin Ortenblad dive deep into race tactics for riders who’ve become the strongest—and most marked—in the field, unpacking a listener’s dilemma of being constantly shut down after forming a dominant two-person team . They explore why “negative racing” happens, how group dynamics shift when everyone is racing against you, and why patience, emotional control, and strategic decision-making are critical to winning again. Using real-world examples from the Lifetime Grand Prix, they break down how elite riders like Keegan Swenson navigate being heavily marked, when to commit to breakaways, and why sometimes the smartest move is not to chase or even to let go of the win. The episode highlights key tactics like choosing which moves to follow, leveraging fatigue, positioning out of sight, and even redefining success by focusing on beating specific rivals rather than the whole field—offering actionable insights for cyclists looking to outsmart the competition and turn fitness into results.

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3

Man, those AI cyclists are ripped! :rofl:

4

I like how the cyclist who is losing is well ahead of everyone else.

5

I appreciate the discussion about being prepared for the workout in case life gets in the way. I like training in the morning like Tobin. With that said, it seems like TR hasn’t been pushing my outdoor workout to Garmin until the day of the workout. I liked it better when it was pushed the day before so that I could get everything synced and not have to worry about it in the morning.

6

Fernando Alonso (Formula 1 driver champion) said once that a car at its 100% limit is slower than at 90%. The reason is that at 100% it’s more unstable which makes it more difficult to drive.

7

Any other not-so-obvious tips on any facets? Riding/racing, training, training tips and readiness, nutrition, laundry, gear/equipment, safety, making more money to afford cycling stuff, having more time to do cycling stuff…?

-Don’t stop pedaling at the top of a hill. Pedal over the top and into the downhill.

-Don’t get distracted scrolling anything (Strava, socials, email, podcasts, etc.) before a workout. Get pedaling and then look.