Before the advent of advanced cycling technology, particularly power meters, the concept of “form” was both a mystery and a myth. It was often used to explain unexpected victories, fueling the idea that some athletes experienced an almost mystical burst of fitness. Yet, as technology has evolved, it has become clear that form wasn’t so much a fluke of good luck but rather something measurable and predictable.
One of the moments that stands out in my cycling career is the first time I won a race that earned a mention in Cycling Weekly. Although I don’t recall the race’s name, I distinctly remember the report, which referred to me as “in-form Michael Hutchinson.” The phrase stuck with me because, in reality, “in-form” was code for something else—it meant the reporter, Graham Snowdon, had no idea who I was. As an unfamiliar name, the only plausible explanation for my unexpected victory was that I was in “good form.” The implication was clear: once this fleeting moment of good fortune passed, I would likely fade back into obscurity.
At the time, the idea of “form” was far more prevalent in cycling circles. It was often invoked after an unexpected win, accompanied by the saying, “Form is temporary, class is permanent.” This phrase typically came from seasoned cyclists, and it carried a certain edge—sometimes, it felt like a warning. “You’ve got some good form at the moment,” they would say, implying it wouldn’t last long. It was almost as if “form” was a state of grace, fleeting and out of the rider’s control.
Fast forward to today, and “form” is far less discussed in the cycling world. With the rise of power meters and other performance-tracking technologies, we now know that what was once attributed to “form” could actually be explained by data. We can track power output, heart rate, and other metrics to understand why a rider is performing at their peak. This technological advancement has effectively removed the element of luck from the equation.
In the past, when a cyclist experienced a period of good performance, it was hard to tell if they had truly improved or if they were just riding a wave of good fortune. When a rider had “form,” rivals might curse them, hoping the streak wouldn’t last. If it was you, the victorious rider, you might wonder if this was a temporary burst or a sign that you had finally unlocked a new level of fitness. Perhaps you had gained the elusive 30 watts that would make you an unstoppable force.
But just as quickly as it arrived, that form would often fade. Riders would return to their previous performance levels, puzzled by what happened. They would pore over training logs, trying to find the secret that triggered their best races. Some riders adhered to superstitions, like my friend Bernard, who swore that a 200-mile ride from Cambridge to Canterbury before each major race was the key to his success. Despite never replicating the results, he remained convinced that the ride was the source of his magic.
Today, this mystique has largely disappeared. With the ability to monitor metrics like VO2 max, cyclists can now see that improvements in performance are the result of consistent training, not mysterious bursts of “form.” While this may have removed some of the wonder and fun from the sport, it has also allowed riders to train smarter and more effectively. Cycling is now a more data-driven discipline, where performance improvements are earned through hard work and strategic training.
Though we may have lost the romantic notion of “form,” there’s no denying that the clarity provided by modern technology has made cycling a more precise and predictable sport. Still, part of me misses the days when we had no idea what was really going on, when a good race felt like a pleasant surprise rather than the result of calculated effort.
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