Cornering Like a Pro

Cornering Like a Pro: The Skill That Could Make or Break Your Race

You’ve trained your heart out. Clocked miles in the pool, on the bike, pounding pavements. But there’s a simple truth many triathletes overlook: To finish first… first you must finish. And finishing strong isn’t just about fitness—it’s about skill.

While swim drills and brick workouts dominate training plans, small, powerful skills like transitions, fueling on the bike, and open water sighting often fly under the radar. But one of the most critical—and most ignored—skills? Cornering on the bike.

Why Cornering Matters More Than You Think

Smooth cornering doesn’t just look cool—it saves serious time, preserves mental energy, and reduces your crash risk. Master it, and you'll flow through courses with more confidence, speed, and control.

Coach Paul Jones from F4L Triathlon Coaching shares what every triathlete needs to know to corner like a pro.

The Essential Techniques

1. Eyes on the Prize

First rule: look where you want to go. When you’re riding, your vision leads your line. Scan ahead to spot everything from traffic and potholes to unpredictable competitors. You’re only interested in the road ahead—stay locked in.

2. Ditch the Aero, Gain Control

Don’t try to corner tucked in on your TriBars. Sit up. Cover your brakes. Road bike? Get in the drops to lower your center of gravity. TT bike? Hands on the base bar, fingers ready on the brakes.

How to Nail the Turn

Cornering isn’t one action—it’s a sequence:

3. Balance Your Body

As you approach a turn:

• Lift the inside pedal
• Keep the inside knee slightly bent
• Press down on the outside pedal to stabilize
• Add gentle pressure to the front wheel for better handling

4. Let Go of the Brakes

Once you're set up, release the brakes. Holding them through the corner disrupts your line and control. Trust your technique and commit to the turn.

5. Choose the Right Line

Every corner has three distinct phases:

• Entry: The moment you begin the turn. You should have already slowed, shifted gears, and located the apex.
• Apex: The tightest, slowest point. You’ll begin accelerating from here.
• Exit: Power out of the turn and ease back into the aero position.

The Golden Rule: Don’t Turn the Bike—Lean It

Your bike doesn’t need steering through a corner—it needs a lean. Tilt your body and the bike will follow. It’s a matter of trust, balance, and repetition. Turn your head, commit your gaze, and everything else follows.

Practice with Purpose

Here’s where the magic happens. Don’t wait until race day to dial in your cornering. Practice deliberately:

• During training rides
• In an empty car park or cul-de-sac
• With cones to simulate tight lines and exits

Repetition builds intuition. And intuition builds race-day confidence.

Master cornering, and you’ll unlock time savings, greater control, and a whole new level of calm when the course throws you curves. Want to be first? Start by cornering like it.

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