Even as a rider I’ve always been interested in performance analysis.
After some years of training I understood the limitations of old concept of training and I tried to build my method at the end of the nineties (yes I know I’m getting older…).
I did my last seasons (in Spain and in France) using powermeter and I found at least a tool able to do perform the good adequation between my percpetion and the values displayed on the monitor.
After my Engineering School in Bilbao, I took an important role to develop power training in Europe dealing directly with Powertap manufacturer Cycleops. I was the first to use powertap in Europe and brought it to the European Market as an alternative of other and expensive powermeters.
My first website was dealing with powermeters utility and interest of training zones.
Thanks to Cycleops support we performed good job together as nowadays, power meter is considered as a must to have for Modern cyclists.
At the end of 2004 Cofidis Pro Team asked me to collaborate with them. I began with them as Peformance Engineer in charge of Aerodynamics optimisation and Wind Tunnel sessions.
I was happy to work on Stuart O’Grady bike for the 2005 Giro Prologue, he finished second but it was a great experience. Following this session we decided to set up specific aero sessions with Sylvain Chavenel on TT Bike that lead him to win the French TT Championship (his first one).
End of 2005, I joined the Staff at part time as Performance Engineer and Coach. I took part as secure platform development to share riders data with all the staff (now with Strava and so on …. it seems obvious but at that time it was less obvious ….).
I was too in charge of young riders coaching such as Maxime Monfort and Amael Moinard who decided to work in a modern manner.
December 2005 : 1st official collaboration with British Cycling
December 2005 is an important stage in my cycling path a I began to share with Endurance GB team as Cofidis Coach (Bradley Wiggins was a Cofidis rider).
After some days spent in Manchester I realised that we have a common point of view with British Cycling.
It appeared for me as an evidence to join British Cycling when I stopped to work with French Team even if some French journalists considered it as ‘a great loss for French Cycling’ ( I do not consider it as a loss; I’m French and happy to live in France but there is no problem for me to work with other countries if we share the same mindset and … it was the case).
This decision was for me an evidence as I didn’t get any support for my national federation from the 1ststart of my coaching involvement in 2003.
I’ve been awarded by the Association of British Cycling Coaches as Level 3 Coach and by the British Cycling Federation as Level 3 coach (Road & Time Trial).
I really enjoyed the BC Training and would like to thanks British Cycling Coaching Teams and ABCC Coaches, I met colleagues, Friends and people I consider as a family.
Coaching Path :
On an experience point of view I began to Coach in 2002 & Elite riders in 2005 with Cofidis Pro Team.
I’m considered as Power training specialist. I’ve worked with some great riders such as Sebastien Chavanel, Geoffory Lequatre, …
In 2009 I started to work with a Paracyclist and I never had expected it should change my life.
I prepared London 2012 & Rio 2016 in 2 different categories (C2 then H4).
I discovered fantastic riders and fantastic mens !
In 2012 I had the great honour to be awarded Senior Coach by the Association of British Cycling Coaches.
It is a great honour to recognized by ABCC (including Bikes designers, former GB Team coach, formed BCF President).
To summarize riders are requesting my help to improve ethically their performance.
Some federations, coaches associations or schools are requesting my help to share my experience and mindset.
In 2016, I started a new personal challenge in Uechi-Ryu Karate; you can follow me on my Martial Arts website Sandairyu.com