Marianne Vos, Holland

Talk to any athlete in any sport or any coach of a world-class rider and the refrain is a common one. "Once you reach the top, it's harder to stay there."



The realisation that, once you've reached the top there's nowhere to go except down, is inescapable. The goal that you set yourself - that motivated you - has been attained. So now what?

It's a state of affairs that very few cyclists are ever confronted with, but it's something that 2013 world road race champion Marianne Vos has dealt with several times. "Yes, it's true, after you win, it's hard to find the motivation again. When you're still trying and on the way to achieving something, it's easy to be motivated.

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