About this episode

The episode features WorldTour coach Koen Pelgrim discussing the intricacies of training elite cyclists for peak performance during the Tour de France.

Go inside the mind of WorldTour coach, Koen Pelgrim, as the episode traces the journey from the physiology lab to the chaos of racing. You’ll get an inside look at what it takes to build a champion—from altitude camps and heat training protocols to how gym and strength work have become non-negotiables for today’s sprinters. The discussion digs deep into balancing “the art and science” of coaching, sharing actionable insights on tapering, team communication, and why trusting data (like heart rate and strain metrics) is key—but personal connection comes first. Key takeaways in this episode: Elite Prep: How sprinters and GC riders train differently for the Tour de France Altitude + Heat: Extend performance gains with modern adaptation strategies Strength & Conditioning: Why gym work is a pillar in today’s cycling programs Data in Action: How daily recovery, RPE, and metrics drive real-time decisions Art vs. Science: Why true coaching blends analytics and human intuition Learn how top coaches prepare elite sprinters for the Tour and use cutting-edge altitude and heat adaptation hacks. Discover proven performance analytics and real athlete-coach conversations that make the difference…

People in this episode

Guest: Koen Pelgrim

Topics covered

• coaching
• WorldTour cycling
• performance training
• data analytics
• strength conditioning
• tapering strategies

Keywords

• altitude training
• heat adaptation
• sprinters
• GC riders
• performance metrics
• coaching strategies
• strength training

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: TrainingPeaks

More episodes of Endurance Unlimited

• Peak Access Episode 3 — Surviving the First Rest Day – 2026 Tour de France · July 17, 2026 · 44 min
• The Science of Heat Stress: Boost Your Endurance with Core Temperature Insights · July 14, 2026 · 27 min
• Peak Access Episode 2 – The Power Behind the Race | 2026 Tour de France · July 11, 2026 · 47 min
• Peak Access Episode 1 — Grand Départ Prep — 2026 Tour de France · July 2, 2026 · 47 min

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