Anyone can write a training plan. Adapting it to your situation, week after week – that's coaching.

Antoine has been coaching me for just over two years now, following a difficult period caused by being overwhelmed by my student life, personal life and cycling commitments. Thanks to him and his training method, we've managed to strike the perfect balance between making progress and performing on the bike, while managing my personal commitments. Structured yet flexible training, steady progress and a coach who really listens are the hallmarks of working with Antoine.

For me, what best characterises working with Antoine is the simplicity for the athlete. This aspect has become a key part of my training and progression. As is the case for many amateurs, training whilst juggling the demands of family, work and personal life is no mean feat. Far from it. The simplicity of Antoine's coaching makes sustainable training and progress possible even after turning 50. After numerous attempts to get back into shape through various sports and other coaching programmes, I'd lost faith, I must admit. As I see it, this simplicity stems first and foremost from Antoine's personality, and then from his approach to training: no convoluted sessions, just simple exercises that are tested, adjusted, repeated and then implemented precisely. Sessions that are perfectly tailored to my current abilities and challenges. It builds truly solid progress without me having to overthink things. For the athlete, this simplicity is also linked to Antoine's availability when it comes to monitoring progress and adapting sessions to whatever constraints arise (and there are plenty). This almost daily check-in via Intervals or WhatsApp, plus the monthly catch-up, are really stimulating and motivating for my progress, especially in a sport where training is very much a solo endeavour. We love that human touch.

Antoine is my first coach, and today marks the start of our third year working together. In him, I've found someone who's deeply committed to my quest for performance, who has enabled me not only to improve as an athlete, but also to grow as a person. Over the course of the past three years, both my physical progress and my development as a cyclist have continued to evolve. When I first started working with him, I didn't really know what to expect from my first coach. I discovered someone who is highly competent, passionate about his work and, above all, particularly attentive to the athlete and their needs. Antoine is part of this new generation of coaches, with a modern approach to performance, whilst never losing sight of the person behind the athlete.