Geraint Thomas’ recent announcement that he will retire at the end of this season has sparked a wider conversation about the driving forces behind professional cyclists’ perseverance, especially when it comes to pushing past their limits. The story of Thomas, much like that of his peers, serves as a testament to the powerful role that inner demons and the need to prove others wrong play in sustaining a career in competitive sports.
One person who has certainly experienced this firsthand is Bernard, a cycling friend who has never let negative predictions hold him back. From a young age, Bernard was told he wouldn’t be able to ride a bike without stabilisers – a challenge that ignited a relentless drive in him to prove everyone wrong. This attitude has fueled his cycling journey, and he humorously reminded a friend after an unexpected win in a chaingang sprint, “You told me I’d never win a chaingang sprint!”
The motivation to prove others wrong is far from unique to Bernard. It’s a sentiment shared by many athletes, including Olympic gold medalist Greg Van Avermaet, who credited his 2016 victory to a desire to silence critics who doubted his ability to conquer a challenging course. Thomas himself has similarly worked hard to defy the notion that his 2018 Tour de France win was a mere stroke of luck, and much of his career since 2019 has been defined by the drive to prove his doubters wrong.
This mindset, often referred to as the “instinct for vengeance,” seems to be particularly prevalent among older athletes. It’s a key reason why many pro cyclists extend their careers into their 30s and beyond. Social media plays a significant role in this, too. The constant visibility and scrutiny of athletes only intensify the desire to keep proving oneself.
In conversations with cyclists and coaches, it has become clear that while more positive motivators like self-fulfillment and the pursuit of personal challenges are often emphasized, darker, more negative sources of motivation often take center stage. Sports psychology and post-race interviews may highlight the triumph of personal growth, but many athletes, it seems, draw much of their strength from less altruistic impulses.
On a personal level, the “sunk-cost fallacy” has often motivated me through tough rides. The idea that, after enduring hours of miserable conditions, quitting would mean all that effort was for nothing is powerful. It’s a mentality that many athletes relate to, even if it’s a bit misguided. Starting a task often leads to an unspoken need to finish it, even when it no longer feels enjoyable.
Some motivations are even stranger. One rider’s best-ever season was fueled by personal turmoil: a divorce. The anger and frustration from his home life pushed him to dedicate himself fully to training, even thanking his ex-wife at a prize-giving for being too difficult to live with. It’s an extreme example, but it illustrates how personal strife can fuel an athlete’s success.
The question arises: are these “negative” motivations really so bad? If they help an athlete achieve something meaningful, can they truly be considered harmful? While motivations driven by genuine psychological disorders need to be addressed, the presence of negative motivations within sports, when channeled productively, might not be inherently wrong.
Ultimately, what matters most is whether these motivations help athletes push through the hard times. Whether the drive stems from a desire to prove others wrong, to overcome personal challenges, or even to finish something already started, these inner demons can be powerful catalysts for success. In Geraint Thomas’ case, they could well keep him racing for years to come, long beyond the age of retirement.
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