How Do I Become A Professional Cyclist? | Ask GCN Anything About Cycling

In this weeks ask GCN Matt Stephens is answering the questions you've been asking throughout the week.

This week's questions include subjects such as:
- Steps to becoming a sponsored racer
- Biomechanical Analysis
- Efficient Pedalling
- What Pro Riders do when they drop out of a race
- Professional Nose-wear
- Matt's National Champs Win
- Riding happily with slower friends
- Clips and Clipless
- Patching tubes

Watch more on GCN...

About GCN:

The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on YouTube’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!

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Leave us a comment below!

[Jamesk]

To that one person reading this who wants to become a pro cyclist, you can do it even if you think it is to late, you can, I believe in you even if no one else does, I do. Keep going, and have a wonderful day

[djguydan]

That's a proper rapid question round Matt. I tip my hat.

[deft]

I know we shouldn't have favourite presenters, but... :)

[Ralph-obqc]

#torqueback how does your guys (the legendary GCN presenters) ftp compare now to back in the day when you were professional??

[larsborgman]

I'm 14 now and I am going to start riding at road races in a year. I just got a decathlon bike (they are great value pls make a review ) with a Sora groupset. I rode a Mountainbike for 6 years and then I started with cyclo cross riding when I was 10.

[dannyhanny]

Halfway through, Matt - you're doing great! Fast, efficient, to the point, speaking clearly.

[seanbailey]

How good would Matt Stephens have been if he could have clipped in? I mean he was a national champion without even clipping in...Maybe if he could clip in he would have Won the Tour de France?

[Toastybear]

I love gcn.... I've just realised how long you've been there for me, every single evening when I get home from work, it's like a warm hug and cup of tea waiting for me on YouTube.
Perhaps I will buy a t-shirt after all

[TheEverymanReview]

#Torqueback with Froome winning the tour 4 times over on Osymetric rings why don't they get more love and acknowledgment?

[rodgu]

At the moment all the races at my age are crits. I do a lot of distance and endurance 3-6hours with longer sweet spot/threshold intervals in them etc however this isn't good training for sprints in crits, I'm also no sprinter and considered as a light climber. My question is should I train for the short races at my age or carry on doing my distance rides with intervals which can benefit long term #torqueback

[chrisreno]

#torqueback Can you do a "behind the scenes" or "bloopers" episode?

[JMcLeodKC]

#tourqueback August 4th is only 7 days away. How aero are the three of you now?

[eugenyyy]

#torqueback How to recover morally after a crash?

Being a novice, my wife has recently crashed on a descent at 50kph. Luckliy she did not break anything, but the crash was quite nasty. Now she feels extremely anxious and panicking sometimes in some uncomfortable situations (riding too close to other riders, on narrow lanes, slow cornering or turning around, etc.), which makes her unstable on the bike and leads to falls from time to time.

[TheImportedPotato]

Since you've moved onto team car tours, how long until the broom wagon tour?

[rmhorn]

#torqueback, why do splits in a group happen much more in crosswinds as opposed to tail/headwinds?

[vernefits]

I live in flat area and to compensate for the lack of hills I try to ride as hard as I can in windy days which are many

[Mattijsopdebeeck]

When riding with slower friends. Make it a recovery ride, ride extra before of after. I sometimes ride with slower friends and then a already did my commute.

[tdougs]

Pedaling issues - I would suggest riding the rollers. 30-45min once a twice or week, you'll sharp improve.

[cycle_]

Chapeau Matt, Fantastic edition of 'Ask GC-Anything' - Love the fact you guys are addressing the speed of the quick fire round ;p

[philtran]

#torqueback In a tailwind, is it better to sit up and allow maximum assistance from the wind or remain in an aero position to reduce drag.