"Two Wheels" is advancing personnel development in all aspects by organizing a basic national cycling coach training course, with instructors from UCI providing both theoretical and practical knowledge.
General Decha Hemkrasri, Deputy Chairman of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), Chairman of the ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF), and President of the Cycling Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, presided over the closing ceremony of the Basic National Cycling Coach Development and Skill Enhancement Program on 17 May at Vasithi City Hotel in Suphanburi. The event was attended by 20 representatives from various member clubs. The training took place from 13-17 May, with Mr. Robert Herbert Jr., a professional American mountain bike coach appointed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), serving as instructor for both theoretical and practical sessions.
After the closing ceremony, General Decha stated that the Cycling Association of Thailand, in cooperation with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), organizes multiple annual training programs following the association’s strategic personnel development plan. This plan focuses not only on developing athletes to excellence but also aims to cultivate all personnel, including coaches, referees, and professional bike mechanics. As a result, the association has a diverse group of knowledgeable personnel, especially coaches who will apply new knowledge to train and advance Thai cyclists to the international level.
“Coaches who complete the basic national cycling coach training will have opportunities to progress to higher levels, potentially specializing as road or mountain bike coaches, to enhance and increase the number of Thai coaches with proper theoretical and practical expertise. Those trained at advanced levels will be key contributors to developing new generations of cyclists who enter the Thai national team and achieve ongoing success,” General Decha said.
General Decha added that the next course planned by the Cycling Association will be the International Professional Road Cycling Coach Development Training Program, scheduled for 22-26 July 2026 at Vasithi City Hotel in Suphanburi. Fifteen coaches who have completed the basic training will be selected from member clubs to participate.
Mr. Robert Herbert Jr., UCI instructor, said the course aims to build foundational knowledge for novice coaches. It is designed to teach essential coaching techniques that can be effectively applied across various cycling disciplines. He emphasized that each athlete is unique in strengths, weaknesses, personality, and needs; therefore, coaches should learn how to adapt their teaching methods and training plans accordingly. A good coach understands that no single approach fits everyone and that effective coaching requires patience, observation, communication, and proper planning.
“All participants showed strong motivation to reach higher goals. I saw their dedication to learning and self-improvement, reflecting their commitment to becoming better coaches who can positively impact the athletes they train. I encourage them to continue developing themselves and seek further knowledge and growth. Overall, I am satisfied with this group of basic-level coaches. Their active participation shows a desire to develop and determination to advance in coaching careers. I hope they apply what they have learned and persist in improving their coaching skills,” Mr. Robert concluded.