4-minute read
By Donna Dall
High-performance mountain biking is often seen as an individual pursuit—just the rider, their bike, and the trail ahead. While the athlete ultimately crosses the finish line alone, their success is far from a solo effort. Behind every performance is a network of support: coaches, soigneurs, team managers, mechanics, sports dietitians, psychologists, and more. This team plays a critical role in an athlete’s preparation and performance, making communication an indispensable element of success in the sport.
For junior riders, their support team will often look a little different. Their coach and parents will play the most significant roles, helping them navigate training, racing, and the challenges of growing in the sport. Just like elite athletes, juniors benefit from open communication—whether it’s discussing how they’re feeling in training, asking for help with logistics, or learning how to give constructive feedback about bike setup or race-day nerves. Developing strong communication skills early will set them up for success as they progress through the sport.
Building Trust in the Team
Trust is at the heart of every high-performing mountain biker’s team, and trust is built on effective communication. Athletes must feel confident that their concerns and insights are valued, whether discussing training load with their coach, voicing discomfort about bike setup to their mechanic, or sharing psychological challenges with a sports psychologist.
For example, an athlete experiencing lingering fatigue might hesitate to bring it up, fearing it could be seen as a lack of commitment. However, in a team environment where open dialogue is encouraged, they can share these concerns, enabling the coach or sports dietitian to make necessary adjustments to their training or nutrition plan. This level of trust ensures that every member of the team is working towards the same goal: enabling the athlete to perform at their best.
Effective Feedback for Continuous Improvement
Constructive feedback is a cornerstone of mountain biking performance. Whether it’s analysing power data with a coach, reviewing line choices after a technical descent, or discussing race-day nutrition with a dietitian, communication ensures feedback is actionable and impactful.
Consider a scenario where a rider struggles with maintaining consistent power output during a long climb. Instead of simply pointing out the issue, a coach might say, “Your pacing was strong early in the climb, but you faded slightly towards the top. Let’s adjust your interval training to better mimic these efforts.” This specific, supportive feedback helps the athlete understand the issue and provides a clear path for improvement.
Staying Aligned in High-Pressure Situations
Mountain biking’s high-pressure moments often reveal the importance of seamless communication. From pre-race briefings to mid-event mechanical issues, athletes and their support teams must stay aligned to adapt and respond effectively.
Take the example of a flat tyre in the middle of a race. The mechanic’s ability to quickly resolve the issue is critical, but so too is the athlete’s communication beforehand about their bike preferences or any recurring technical issues. This mutual understanding minimises downtime and ensures the rider can return to the race with confidence.
Adaptability on and off the Bike
Mountain bikers must adapt to ever-changing trail conditions, unexpected weather, or last-minute race-day challenges. Communication within the team facilitates this adaptability, enabling quick decisions that optimise performance.
For instance, a rider might report feeling unusually fatigued during the warm-up, prompting the coach and sports dietitian to adjust their fuelling or pacing strategy. Similarly, a team manager who communicates logistical changes clearly can help minimise stress for the athlete, allowing them to stay focused on the race.
A Modern Take on Communication
Technology plays an increasing role in how mountain bikers and their teams communicate. GPS devices, power meters, and heart rate monitors provide valuable real-time data, but these tools are only as effective as the conversations they inspire. A coach must interpret this data and communicate its significance in a way the athlete can act on. Similarly, a rider’s ability to provide qualitative feedback—such as how they felt during a specific effort—adds depth to the data-driven insights, creating a holistic approach to performance analysis.
Conclusion: Communication as the Foundation of Success
Mountain biking may be an individual sport on the surface, but every successful rider relies on the strength of their team. Communication is the thread that weaves this team together, ensuring that everyone works towards a shared vision. It fosters trust, enhances feedback, and allows athletes and their support networks to adapt to challenges, both on and off the trail.
For juniors and elites alike, prioritising communication is one of the most valuable skills in their development. Whether discussing strategy, solving problems, or simply sharing honest feedback, clear communication transforms a group of individuals into a cohesive unit dedicated to achieving excellence. In the world of high-performance mountain biking, it’s not just about how fast you ride—it’s also about how well your team works together.
I wrote another article recently on how our values drive athletic performance which you might also enjoy reading!

High Performance Mountain Bike Coach
Donna Dall
My speciality is helping serious and recreational mountain bikers break through plateaus to attain higher levels of performance so that they can get fitter, faster, stronger and win more races!