“With road cycling you have to keep the speed of the majority, you have to keep the speed that’s being set, and it’s pretty rare that you’re the one dictating that speed. Those are great moments when you’re actually the one deciding the pace, not necessarily just the top speed but the rate of speed over all sorts of situations.” — Ryder Hesjedal
Location: Maastricht, The Netherlands
Date: 15 April 2012
Time: 9:28 AM
Race: Amstel Gold
I try not to wear new clothing when I race. I did it once. I don’t even need to wear it; I just need to wash it. —Dan Martin, Team Garmin-Barracuda
Location: Huy, Belgium
Date: 18 April 2012
Time: 3:55 PM
Race: Flèche Wallonne
If you believe in what you’re doing you’re more likely to succeed. It’s like going downhill. You must believe you’re going to make it; the second you hesitate, that’s when it goes wrong. —Dan Martin, Team Garmin-Barracuda
There may be no better photo to represent Speed Week as this one. A free-for-all of speed driven by cash prizes, the opportunity to race with some of the fastest guys in the land, and shitty hotels, abandoned downtowns, and broke down cars. Truly, racing at it’s finest. - Manual for Speed
Location: Crested Butte, Co
Date: 23 August 2011
Time: 5:22 PM
Race: USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Stage 1
I want other teams to see that our riders are not having mechanicals. We cannot have bike issues at crucial moments during the race. I need to do my part and I want to be the best, I want our bikes to perform the best. I am just as competitive as the riders.
Sometimes it feels like the team owns me. However, I feel like I need stress and hard work to feel like I’m getting something out of my profession. I like the satisfaction that I get when I know that a job is completed and done well.—Josh Geiszler, Team Exergy Chief Mechanic
Location: Somewhere between Steamboat Springs and Breckenridge, CO
Date: 27 August 2011
Time: 12:33 PM
Race: USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Stage 5
Here we are swapping bikes from car to car. Car #1 needed to go and service our riders in the break, so we needed to ensure the riders in the peloton had spare bikes on top of Car #2 to back them up.
I have a list of items that I know need to be in the car. My memory serves me well and I rarely forget anything. I’m in charge of equipment, so I load bikes, spare wheels and tools into the car. The soignuer takes care of bottles and food. But I check to see what they have loaded, since riders will be asking for it during the race. If a soigneur forgets, say, Clif Bloks, and I dont catch it, it’s on me. With two cars, the work is doubled so the assistant mechanic takes care of his car. —Josh Geiszler, Team Exergy Chief Mechanic
Location: Somewhere between Steamboat Springs and Breckenridge, CO
Date: 27 August 2011
Time: 1:43 PM
Race: USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Stage 5
Every time I start a race, I wonder if I am going to have to get out the car. Once I see a riders hand go up, or number called on race radio, “its on.” My instincts take over. I grab my wheels and jump out of the car. Sometimes the exchanges are quick, sometimes average. I’ve done them dozens of times and am well versed. I love that pressure. I know I can handle it, as does everyone on the team. It’s great to be the hero of the day when you save the race for the team. —Josh Geiszler, Team Exergy Chief Mechanic
Location: Denver, CO
Date: 28 August 2011
Time: 9:27 PM
Race: USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Post-race
For my hair, I use Mane ‘n Tail. It’s a shampoo that’s designed for use with humans and animals. The first time I bought the stuff was actually for a joke, but I used it with great results. Helps to be a blonde too. I use putty instead of gel now. Putty gives your hair a more natural look. —Josh Geiszler, Team Exergy Chief Mechanic
Just a quick tip to all of our cycling fans out there: being PRO entails more than just riding fast. Never have a poorly pinned number again.
We were beyond lucky to get a glimpse of Team Exergy’s rider manual for this season—and you guys are lucky that we get to share it with you! Trust us, you want to click through to this post.
