Nicolas Roche began his professional cycling career in 2004.

From then until now, he has cycled for about six teams, with BMC Racing being his current team for this season. He has so far been able to forge an illustrious career as a dynamic rider and would need not to reinvent himself at the new team.

Speaking to Cycling News, the rider talked about some of his experiences so far in different phases of his career.

“I’ve been through every single phase, from leading out sprints with Thor Hushovd, to riding in the mountains on my own account, to helping out some of the best riders in the world, to doing a bit of both,” he said.

Roche arrived at BMC after going through a two-year stint with Team Sky, the Grand Tour-winning powerhouse. He noted that apart from the differences in the jerseys of the both team, there are only a few other minor differences between them. (more…)

If you are looking for inspiration from those who fight the odds to do what they are passionate about, look at Thor Hushovd.

Among professional cyclists he is probably someone who can stand to show a guiding light to those who think that their health problems stand as a barrier in the way of them doing what they want to do. He has been diagnosed with asthma and that was way before he decided to become a professional cyclist. He debates about the fact that asthma medicine is offered in cross country races. He has always been into sports, having had an avid passion for skiing when he was young.

Thor talks about his need for asthma medicine and how he was denied the medication as well. It has definitely been a matter of debate where health experts have prescribed limits of performance which need to be shown by professionals in order to be given access to such medicine. Thor talks about how he had to take tests every time at hospitals assigned by the French Cycling Federation. He states how he remembers being asked to showcase improvement in order to be allowed access to the medicine. He remembers a year when he could not get the performance up to the desired level. He could not compete that season. He was also not allowed to use the medicine in 2004 at the Olympics in Athens. (more…)