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When Frances Newstead took over coaching for the British cycling talent team programme it was easy to get along with her and she was always involved in training sessions. She was always wanting to give more to the session, by
either changing training or giving rest periods so you don't burn out.

With Frances' experience in the national and international races, she can help you go to the next level. I strongly recommend Frances as a coach but be ready for some hard work, when she took over my training I have never trained as hard but my fitness improved dramatically. At 15 years old, I was racing with the adults and getting regular top 10 results. She also taught me about race tactics and how to read the race better.

Thanks to her help I became U16 national youth circuit champion in 2008 and my track racing has improved also.

Lewis Balyckyi

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Frances Newstead coached me as youth rider looking for selection to British Cycling’s Junior Olympic Development Programme. As part of the Talent Team my aim was to progress as a rider, get the results and show the potential to be selected.

I feel that with Fran as my coach I was able to make the most of her knowledge and experience that she passed on which ultimately helped me to achieve my goals. As a coach Fran is committed, always positive and easy to communicate with.   
The weekly training that Fran set was structured, detailed and planned out with achievable targets.

I would strongly recommend Fran as a coach to any rider looking for direction and advice from someone with years of experience. A hard-working, disciplined and keen cyclist with high ambitions will gain huge benefits with the help and guidance of Frances.
I am now part of the British Cycling under 23 Olympic Academy.

Mark Christian

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This was my first year with Fran as my coach. Below are the targets that together with Fran I set in order for me to improve myself as a bike rider. Hard work together with the training that was set by Fran enabled me to achieve these targets, also shown below.

Targets set for 2008

• National Under 23 Road Race Champs – Top 3
• National 10 mile Time Trial Champs – Top 3 Under 23
• National Time Trial Champs – Top 3 Under 23
• Selection for UCI Races with Team
  
  

What I achieved in 2008

• National 10 mile Time Trial Champs - Bronze (Senior)
• National Under 23 Road Race Champs – Bronze
• National Time Trial Champs – 4th Senior (2nd U23)
• Gained selection for first two World Cup races Binda, Italy and Tour of Flanders, Belguim
• National 25 mile Time Trial Champs – 6th senior (Winner of team prize)
• National Track Champs Pursuit – Silver

For me it was important that I found someone with the experience that Fran has. The knowledge that she has passed on, through training techniques and racing has been valuble throughtout the time that she has coached me. Fran has a wealth of experience both domestically and internationally. The experience that she has, has helped me to achieve these goals.

Like with any bike rider a year will not pass without a problem or two occuring. I found that evreytime a problem did arise there was always a friendly voice at the end of the phone offering encouragment and support. The regular on hand phone calls and emails are a total reassurance and peace of mind during my learning curve as a bike rider. Without this support, there were times when I would have gone mad but was always put back on track after a talk with Fran. Fran knows exactly what to say and what not to say and because of her experience she knows exactly what you are going through as a bike rider.

Fran works with her riders and because of this always gets the best out of them. I found that the constant encouragment and positive thinking got the best out of me but also kept me going through the bad days. If it was not for the positve attitude of Fran during the really hard days of the season it would have taken a lot longer to get over the dissappointments. But because of this you learn not to over analyse but learn from the mistake and make it right in the next race or training session.    

The training that Fran sets is easy to understand, interesting, demanding but if you work hard it is also rewarding. Fran showed that she had the confidence in me as a cyclist and she believed in my ability. As a cyclist this is the hardest thing to try to achieve, but snce working with Fran I have had the ability to believe in myself. Frans personal, professional and friendly approach towards coaching has enabled her to get to know me as a person and as a bike rider.

I totally respect Fran for what she has helped me achieve throughout this year, both on and off the bike. Anyone who works with Fran will no doubt have the same amount of respect for her that I do. I hope that Fran will contiue to be a friend and a coach and I know that anyone who works with her will reach their full potential and achieve their goals and aspirations.

Emma Trott

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