Going Pro: The Data Behind Nathan Cusack's Journey From Juniors To EF Education-Aevolo The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast By CTS podcast

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Going Pro: The Data Behind Nathan Cusack's Journey From Juniors to EF Education-Aevolo

1d ago 57:03

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OVERVIEW
Nathan Cusack is an emerging talent in road racing, having won his first European race in 2025, racing for Team USA at Tour de l'Avenir, and ending the season by signing on with EF Education-Aevolo. Nathan has been a CTS Athlete coached by Adam Pulford for four years, and as he makes his transition to the U23 Elite ranks and a top international development team, it's time to take a look at what it takes to go from Junior to Pro in cycling.

In Episode 281, Coach Adam Pulford and Nathan reveal the power numbers required to reach the podium in international U23 races, the progression of annual training hours required to go pro, and how the young rider learned the race craft necessary to win against the best in the world.

Topics Covered In This Episode:

Nathan's start in road racing
Progression of annual training hours from Junior to Pro
Power outputs indicative of an emerging talent in road cycling
What wins races: race craft vs. power output?
How to learn race craft in the United States
Joining EF Education-Aevolo

Resources

Nathan Cusack on IG: https://www.instagram.com/nathancusack_/
EF Education/Aevolo Announcement: https://www.efeducationaevolo.com/racing/new-rider-alert-nathan-cusack-steps-up-with-ef-education-aevolo/

Guest Bio:

Raised in the Washington D.C. area and progressing from cyclocross to road cycling as a teenager, Nathan Cusack rode for DC Velo as a junior and Kelly Benefits Cycling Team as a U23. The 20-year-old had a breakthrough season in 2025, securing his first European road racing victory in Spain, making his debut in the prestigious U23 race, Tour de l'Avenir, and ending the year with a well-deserved 2026 contract with EF Education-Aevolo.
Currently in his third year of studying at the University of Vermont, where he is pursuing a four-year degree in data science, he joins the EF Education-Aevolo team as a rider of genuine potential and a swift finisher.

HOST
Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.

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Chapters

1. Welcome And Episode Setup (00:00:00)

2. Meet U23 Pro Nathan Cusack (00:00:52)

3. 2025 Season Start: VOS To TBC Wins (00:02:16)

4. Europe Block: Belgium Races And Lessons (00:04:20)

5. Redlands Struggles And Breakaway Podium (00:05:36)

6. Collegiate Title And U23 Nats Recap (00:06:53)

7. Rider Type, Coaching Approach, And Training Mix (00:08:11)

8. Spain Campaign: Hard Courses, Hard Living, Big Growth (00:11:26)

9. Selection For L’Avenir: How It Happened (00:15:12)

10. Racing L’Avenir: The Hardest Week Yet (00:18:08)

11. Maryland Classic And Managing Late-Season Fatigue (00:21:06)

12. Signing With EF Education’s Dev Team (00:22:36)

13. Origins: From Cross Kid To Coached Racer (00:24:16)

14. Volume Progression And Letting Capacity Emerge (00:27:34)

15. Group Rides As Race Labs And Craft Building (00:31:22)

16. East Coast Roots, College Choice, And Scene (00:34:40)

17. What Worked: Fun, Visualization, And Specificity (00:37:24)

18. Power Numbers: Sprints, VO2, Threshold (00:40:06)

19. Results vs Power And Studying Sprints (00:44:40)

20. No Single Breakout: The Slow Build (00:47:16)

21. Can AI Coach You? Why The Human Network Matters (00:49:40)

22. Advice To Juniors: School, Balance, And Joy (00:53:04)

23. Closing, Where To Follow Nathan, CTA (00:55:30)

282 episodes

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