From Hanging On to Winning Moves: How Smart Training Changes Everything

From Hanging On to Winning Moves: How Smart Training Changes Everything

If you’ve ever lined up at a race and thought, “I just hope I can get round,” then you’ll know that feeling of hanging on for dear life. I’ve seen it countless times over the years , strong riders who can smash a club run or a Zwift session, but once the flag drops in a proper race, they’re dangling out the back before it even gets exciting.

The truth is, it doesn’t have to be like that. With the right training and I mean training that’s tailored to you, your physiology, your strengths and weaknesses you can go from surviving the race to actually shaping it. That’s where the fun really starts: making the break, influencing the moves, and even learning how to ride for the win.

Some of you may know I coach riders like Danylo Riwnyj (Foran RT) Eddie Dunbar (Jayco Allula) ; for others, that might be new. Either way, what I’ve seen through 22 years of coaching is this: progress doesn’t come from doing more, it comes from doing smarter.

Danylo: From Hanging On to Winning

When I first started working with Danylo he was a talented rider but still finding his way. He could put in the power, but he wasn’t influencing races he was just surviving them. Step by step, we built him up. Not just with watts and intervals, but with confidence, race craft, and understanding how to use his power when it mattered.

This year has been a breakthrough for him. At the National Road Race, most riders don’t last more than two laps at full pace. Danylo? He was there until the end, competing with riders far more experienced and higher up the ranks. He finished as the best placed non-pro ! an achievement that reflected years of smart training and mental preparation.

Later in the season, he went on to win the Victor Berlemont in fine style. What impressed me most wasn’t just the power he produced; it was the way he now reads the race, influenced the dynamics, and made tactical decisions to set himself up for the win. This isn’t luck it’s a rider who’s been taught how to race for the win.

The Principles That Make the Difference

Here’s what we focus on, whether the rider is Danylo, Eddie, or anyone I coach:
1. Quality over quantity - Long miles are satisfying, but structured sessions that hit the right energy systems are what drive real improvement.
2. Recovery counts - You get stronger when your body absorbs the work, not just when you’re grinding away.
3. Confidence is training too - If you don’t believe in yourself or your preparation, it doesn’t matter how fit you are.
4. Race craft matters - Knowing when to go, where to position, and how to respond to attacks can make the difference between hanging on and winning.

Danylo has stepped up the ladder, and his results speak for themselves: most of this season he’s been on the podium. That’s not just power that’s knowing how to combine it with the mental game, the tactics, and the timing.

Eddie Dunbar: Elite-Level Lessons

While Danylo shows how the principles apply at national and regional level, Eddie Dunbar illustrates them at the top tier. Working with him this year has been a privilege. From liaising with the Jayco-AlUla team, DS Steve Cummings, and head coach Josh Hunt, I’ve learned just as much as I’ve taught. Their trust in me allowed me to give Eddie the right guidance, and watching him execute it on the road has been incredible.

Josh said after one of Eddie’s breakthrough time trials:
“Jon, that is the best we have ever seen Eddie. I can already say that's one of his best TT’s in a WT race, he’s 5th on GC more importantly he’s 25 sec up on Carapaz and 2 sec up on Simon Yates at half way. That's immense.”

Steve would check in to get my read on Eddie’s condition and progression, making sure we kept things realistic but also motivated. Before the Tour de France, Steve messaged me:
“Thank you Jon for all your work and mentorship of getting Eddie in this amazing shape. It’s going to be good.”

Moments like that are a boost for any coach. But more importantly, it’s a testament to how careful planning, structured training, and confidence-building can help a rider perform at their very best.

Why This Matters to You

The lessons from Danylo and Eddie aren’t reserved for pro riders. They apply to anyone who wants to get more from their training and racing:
   •   You don’t need to do endless hours to improve.
   •   You need to train with purpose, recovery, and progression in mind.
   •   Belief in yourself and understanding how to race are just as important as fitness.

Whether you’re aiming for your first club win, stepping up a category, or just getting more from your rides, these principles will get you further than sheer volume alone.

A Final Thought

Progress comes when you combine structure, insight, and confidence. That’s what I do with every rider I work with. Seeing someone move from hanging on to making the moves that matter whether it’s Danylo on the national stage or Eddie at World Tour level …is why I coach.

And if you’re ready to find out how far smart, targeted coaching can take you, I’d love to help you get there.

—
Jon Sharples, TrainSharp Cycle Coaching