A big few months on deck at Pinnacle Performance ✅🚀
Across Australia, Europe, and Asia so far this year, we’ve had the privilege of coaching some absolute legends who have achieved some pretty awesome goals 👏
These highlights are only scratching the surface of each athlete’s story, and the work they’ve put in behind the scenes to find success so far in 2026.
In a sport that gets harder to compete in by the day, it’s good to reflect and recognise that with the right systems, support, and attitude in place - opportunities for success are there.
We’re super proud of the whole Pinnacle crew, and excited for what the rest of 2026 brings 💪📈
An absolutely insane week for @slipstreamsarah and @aginsurancesoudal at the @giroditaliawomen 🤯
💥2 Stage Wins
🥉3rd GC
🔵 Maglia Azzura Classification
Sarah’s success this week was the result of months of resilience, hard work, and perseverance in times of uncertainty.
Even before this tricky build, she has been able to always reset and we return to being process oriented in the face of setbacks.
Despite the challenges, a well-structured few months, coupled with a highly motivated and determined athlete, have led to an incredible performance 📈
We were already super proud, but we are glad these efforts have finally been rewarded 👏
📸 - @matteoroose
#GiroWomen #CyclingCoach
An important summer of cycling must be inbound for our coaches to dish out testing on your 21st birthday 😮💨👀
Some field testing in Bright for @fergus.browning , identifying some key performance metrics before the next training block 📈🔥
#Cycling #SportScience #CyclingCoaching
Big weekend in Japan for @lukeburns__ and @fergus.browning at Tour de Kumano 2.2 🏆
Both of these two have been putting in consistent hard work, and were able to pull off some big results for their troubles 📈
@lukeburns__ 🥇 GC, 🥇 Stage 2, 🥈 Stage 3
@fergus.browning 4th GC, 🥉 Stage 3
Watch this space 👀🇯🇵🔜
How can you manage a full season well? 📆
Training and racing rarely has the luxury of following a perfectly uninterrupted plan. The reality is a lot of the time it’s necessary to perform amongst chaos.
Races get added, opportunities arise, people get sick or injured, travel happens, motivation fluctuates, and sometimes events are uncontrollable. It’s important to roll with the punches, and be adaptable with a holistic approach to performance.
There are times to push training and chase adaptation, times to focus on performing, and times where the best thing you can do is freshen up, reset, and prepare for what’s next.
A big part of coaching is zooming out and understanding where an athlete sits in the bigger picture - not just what session is on the program tomorrow ✅
Episode 7 – Dave Sanders: The Evolution of Cycling Coaching and Performance 💥📈
In Episode 7, we sit down with one of the most influential and prolific figures in Australian cycling coaching - Dave Sanders.
Dave has spent over 25 years coaching cyclists across Australia and internationally, including time as Head Coach at the Victorian Institute of Sport and working with teams such as Orica–GreenEDGE. Along the way, he has helped shape the careers of generational riders including Cadel Evans, Simon Gerrans, Simon Clarke, and countless other national and international champions.
Having raced himself in the 1970s before moving into coaching through the 1980s, 90s, and into the modern era, Dave has remained at the forefront of performance through the rise of sport science, power meters, and modern coaching technology. Few people have witnessed the evolution of cycling and coaching as closely as Dave.
In this episode, we dive into how the sport has changed, what principles have stood the test of time, where coaching — and cycling more broadly — may be heading next, and hear some brilliant war stories from decades spent working with athletes across an ever-changing sporting landscape.
From old-school training methods to modern sport science, psychology versus physiology, technology’s impact on coaching, and the importance of collaboration - this is a fascinating conversation packed with wisdom, perspective, and great history from one of the most influential Australian cycling coaches of the past three decades.
Watch on YouTube 📺
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧
@wattmatterspodcast@pinnacleperformancecc | @nocsportsscience
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We are back! 🎙️🔥
In Episode 6, we sit down with one of Australia’s most exciting road and track cyclists - Alyssa Polites.
Alyssa takes us through her journey from a standout junior to signing as a professional at a young age with Team Jayco Alula, and the realities that come with stepping into the WorldTour early.
We dive into the challenges of navigating high expectations, setbacks, and the mental demands of elite sport - before shifting into her current phase: a focused rebuild, balancing both track and road with the Australian Cycling Team and Meridian Bikebug Continental Team, while working toward a return to the top level of the sport.
With Alyssa coached by Nick over the past 18 months, this episode gives a unique look into both the athlete and coaches perspective - covering training, periodisation, dual-discipline demands, and what it really takes to progress in modern cycling.
We also get a clear insight into Alyssa’s values, goals, and advice for young Australian riders coming through the sport.
A grounded, honest conversation about performance, pressure, and building back toward the top, from one of Australia’s top talents - this episode is not to be missed.
Watch on YouTube 📺
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧
@wattmatterspodcast@nocsportsscience | @pinnacleperformancecc
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In Episode 5 we take a step back from training theory and dive into the story behind our coaching careers and businesses.
Nick, Jack, and Dylan talk through how each of us entered the sport science and coaching world - from early internships and time spent at institutes, to the lessons learned working across different sports.
We discuss the realities of building a career in cycling performance, the challenges within the coaching industry, and how NOC Sports Science and Pinnacle Performance were created from the ground up.
The conversation covers the early risks of starting a coaching business, different approaches to coaching, and why collaboration between coaches is so important for athlete development.
Watch on YouTube 📺
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧
@wattmatterspodcast@nocsportsscience | @pinnacleperformancecc
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Episode 4 – Ruby Roseman-Gannon 🔥
A great chat with one of Australian cycling’s most successful athletes, covering everything from longevity in the sport to specific training for the Australian summer. It was great to discuss Ruby’s journey in the sport, as well as her more recent training and racing.
Our first guest of 2026 - and also one coached by @nocsportsscience . We thoroughly enjoyed getting both a coach’s and an athlete’s perspective on performance.
Watch on YouTube 📺
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧
@pinnacleperformancecc | @nocsportsscience
