David
On 19 July 2026, I completed the Étape du Tour in 11 hours 35 minutes, just 10 minutes inside the cut-off. It was a huge achievement, especially as I failed to complete it in 2017. More of an achievement was that I had come back from a serious cycling accident in Snowdonia in April 2023 that saw me in intensive care with broken bones and a brain bleed that affected my balance and coordination. After five days in intensive care, I faced a long recovery.
I knew I needed a structured plan and someone to keep me accountable when motivation wavered. Velo Performance appealed because of its focus on more mature cyclists, and Pete Sutton became my coach. My programme combined hour-long strength sessions with VO₂ max, Zone 2, threshold and tempo work, initially on the trainer and later on the road.
Consistency was integral, but the programme remained flexible around everyday life. Pete adjusted weekly sessions as needed while ensuring progress continued. Within three or four months, my FTP was back up to around 200 watts. Strength, balance and mobility work, new elements for me, improved not only my cycling but my overall fitness. By January 2025, my FTP was approaching 220 watts despite continuing pain and balance issues.
Pete’s weekly feedback made a major difference. Hearing what went well, where sessions were missed, and what needed to change kept the process honest. In April 2025, I completed the 150-mile Mallorca 312 route in nine and a half hours. It was a major milestone, but I still had unfinished business with the Étape du Tour.
The 2026 route was daunting: 106 miles and 18,000 feet of climbing across numerous Cols. Pete remained confident and increased my training intensity, with greater emphasis on completing every session. I trained throughout Christmas, largely indoors because of poor weather, and my FTP reached 249 watts.
Back-to-back colds then disrupted most of January, and although I felt short of time, the plan helped me rebuild steadily. By the final phase, I was much stronger, could climb out of the saddle for sustained periods, had raised my FTP to 269 watts and reduced my weight from 87 kg after the accident to 78 kg.
At the start, I lined up near the back of more than 17,000 riders. On the Croix de Fer, I immediately noticed the benefit of the training. Gradients of 10–12% were still hard but no longer felt like walls. Even when congestion slowed the group almost to a standstill, I had the strength and control to keep moving. That gave me confidence: the physical preparation was there, so my priority became pacing, hydration and fuelling.
My fuelling strategy was key. From the second climb onward, many riders were stopped by cramps, sickness or exhaustion. More than 5,000 starters did not finish. Careful pacing, regular carbohydrate intake and disciplined hydration allowed me to keep going and complete the hardest endurance challenge I have ever attempted.
I finished 10 minutes inside the cut-off, a feat made possible by coaching that kept my training consistent, accountable and on track, alongside clear guidance on pacing, hydration and fuelling. From the aftermath of my accident to completing the Étape, Pete at Velo Performance provided the encouragement, expertise and direction I needed. If you are considering a major endurance event, don’t do it alone.
David