'I was a little nervous, as he's a big personality': What it's really like coaching Mark Cavendish

Cycling is a competitive sport, but it can be even more challenging for those hailing from the Isle of Man, a small island with a rich racing history. Mark Cavendish, Peter Kennaugh, and several other top-tier pros have emerged from this diminutive locale. However, Tim Kennaugh, Peter's younger brother, has carved out his own niche as one of professional cycling's most respected coaches. His clientele includes Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy, Tour stage-winner Heinrich Haussler, and even Cavendish himself.

Tim initially followed his brother into professional cycling but halted his racing career due to Hashimoto's autoimmune disease during his U23 years. He later transitioned to coaching roles, starting as a soigneur for Rapha Condor-JLT in 2013 and eventually launching his own business. He has since coached notable riders like Cavendish, serving as a performance director for EF Education First and Bahrain.

Now 34, Tim has just relaunched his solo coaching business, where he oversees the coaching program of the EF Education-Aevolo development team.

Coaching Mark Cavendish was a unique experience, given Cavendish's celebrity status and complex schedule. Despite the challenges, Tim found Cavendish to be highly committed and receptive to coaching. He attributes his success as a coach to his people-oriented nature and ability to support riders both on and off the bike. When beginning to coach a new rider, Tim emphasizes setting realistic goals and developing a comprehensive plan that considers the rider's lifestyle, development stage, and specific race demands.

He stresses the importance of regular feedback and collaboration with other performance team members, such as nutritionists, physios, and strength coaches, to ensure the best possible outcomes for the athlete.