Last Updated on 18 August 2026:
Tour of Flanders Training Goal
Christian Schneider, 43, had been riding bikes for years but had not done any serious cycling for around three years before we started working together. He first got into mountain biking as a teenager, later rode MTB marathons and spent time working in a bike shop, but work eventually took priority. When he came back to more structured riding, he wanted Tour of Flanders training that would rebuild his fitness and confidence while still fitting around a busy life.
Christian works as a software developer and is also heavily involved in his local community, including a bike park project. Alongside improving his power-to-weight ratio and developing more strength in an aero position, one of his biggest goals was We Ride Flanders. Confidence and body weight were also important parts of the picture, so the coaching had to address more than simply fitness.
Challenges
A big part of the process was making the plan adaptable. Christian particularly valued being able to reach out when life got in the way and having the training adjusted quickly rather than feeling as though he had failed the plan. We also spent time on mental preparation, and he became much more confident as the coaching progressed.
The physical progress was significant too. Christian set countless new power bests, with his 20-minute power increasing from 233 watts to 302 watts. He completed the Tour of Germany Gran Fondo, had a strong ride at the GCN Festival despite being ill the week before, and completed a seven-day training camp in Spain.
For Christian, Tour of Flanders training was not just about preparing for one event. It became a way of rebuilding confidence, improving power and creating a training structure that could continue to work alongside a demanding job and the rest of his life.
Training for the Tour of Flanders, a Gran Fondo or another big cycling event? I can help you build a plan around your goals, fitness and real-life commitments.
