Group rides or solo? Former coach of Mathieu van der Poel gives tips on how to get the most out of your training
Cycling
Kristof de Kegel, sports scientist and coach at
Alpecin-Deceuninck and former trainer of Mathieu van der Poel, has shared
valuable insights on effective training strategies for cyclists. Speaking to Het
Nieuwsblad, de Kegel emphasised the importance of balancing group rides
with solo training to maximise performance.
"Cycling a lot in a group is nice, but it is often not
a productive training. You can compare it to electric cycling. You do grind out
a lot of kilometers, but the quality of the training is low. You cycle neatly
in the wheel all the time, feel little resistance from wind, for example, and
end your training with an average of 130 to 140 watts," he explained.
De Kegel highlighted the risks of developing a false sense
of fitness from consistently training in a group setting. "You will have a
false positive feeling about your condition if you always train with groups.
Unless that peloton is cycling above your level, but doing that systematically
is not good either," he said.
To achieve meaningful progress, de Kegel recommends
incorporating solo training sessions into a cyclist’s routine. "That is
why it is often best to do your training alone regularly, at least if you want
to complete your schedule," he advised.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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