I think your coach may be going with the old coaching wisdom that says "if you can't turn a small gear, you'll never turn a big gear". Basically, he just want to make you faster

Let's say you comfortably turn a 53X17 @ 80 rpms....your speed will be 31.4 kph (~19.5 mph). Not too shabby.

But you want to race....


Ahhhhh. So you spend the winter riding around in ridiculously small gears, building aerobic base and a smooth pedal stroke...come race season you hop on the bike...click into your old friend 53X17, only your cadence has jumped to 100rpm. Your speed is now 39.2 kph (or 24.4 mph).

Now you're racing!

Wanna faster sprint?

If you turn your 53/12 @ 80 rpm you'll do 44.5 kph (27.6mph) but if you can crank it up to 100 rpm you'll hit 55.6kph (34.5 mph)!!!

Watch out Cipollini!

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