Do pro cyclists play mind games in addition to the on-wheels tactics? What do they think about on the bike and off?

It might sound odd that \”what to eat next\” can be a problem, but apparently it can. Riders in a Grand Tour have to keep enough fuel on the fire; they need to learn  when to eat what. Do I need an energy gel now, or a rice cake? Will this or that food upset my stomach?

Knowing \”when to push\”, it seems to me, is largely a matter of experience. For the individual rider on a solo ride, anyway. If the team director says \”Push Now\” during a race, the rider doesn\’t have much choice, right? How many riders think,\”Not AGAIN?!\” when the order to push arises?

Transfers don\’t sound like fun at all. Who likes the thought of a long bus ride immediately after hours of intense racing? As for problems getting, sleep, how can they get up and race the next day after an unrestful night? Maybe that\’s another of their mind games. Just grit your teeth and ride, even if it feels like sleep-biking.

Thinking about taxes isn\’t unique to pro cyclists, of course, but most of us don\’t have to be concerned about having earned money in several countries, each of them with its own tax laws. It must take quite some mental gymnastics to figure it all out!

And \”who to sign with?\” could be difficult without knowing something of a team\’s financial backing, sponsorships, and so on. How does a rider find that info to begin with?

It\’s a lot to think about. Let the mind games begin!