Coach Nicolas Roche

Nicolas Roche brings nearly two decades of elite professional cycling experience to his coaching practice. Born in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, France, and raised between Ireland and France, Nicolas turned professional in 2005 and competed at the highest level until his retirement in 2021. During his 17-year WorldTour career, he rode for seven professional teams including AG2R La Mondiale, Team Sky, Saxo-Tinkoff, and Team Sunweb.

Nicolas's professional achievements include two stage victories at the Vuelta a España (2013 and 2015), where he also wore the leader's red jersey and achieved top-five overall finishes. He started 24 Grand Tours and finished 22 of them, accumulating 65 top-10 stage finishes. His dedication to Irish cycling earned him four national championship titles, including two road race titles and two time trial championships, both in 2016.

Beyond his road racing success, Nicolas represented Ireland at four Olympic Games between 2008 and 2020 and competed in eleven UCI Road World Championships. His deep understanding of Grand Tour racing, stage racing tactics, and the mental demands of professional cycling provides invaluable insight for athletes at all levels.

Since retiring from professional road racing, Nicolas has successfully transitioned into multiple roles within the sport. He serves as directeur sportif for Cycling Ireland's senior road program, works as a Tour de France television commentator, and founded his own gravel racing team, NR GRVL. In October 2025, he became the UCI Gravel World Champion in the Masters 40 category, demonstrating his continued competitive drive and ability to adapt to new challenges.

What sets Nicolas apart as a coach is his comprehensive experience across all aspects of elite cycling. He has worked with some of the sport's greatest champions, including Alberto Contador and Chris Froome, and understands both the role of a leader and a key domestique. His experience navigating the pressures of being Stephen Roche's son while carving out his own successful career has given him unique perspective on managing expectations and finding individual paths to success.

Nicolas's coaching philosophy emphasizes individualization over rigid systems. Having worked with numerous coaches and team structures throughout his career, he understands that what works for one athlete may not work for another. He values open communication and believes in adapting training programs to each athlete's specific needs, experience level, and goals rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach.

His multilingual abilities (fluent in English and French) and dual Irish-French nationality reflect his cross-cultural perspective. Nicolas brings authenticity, hard-earned wisdom, and a genuine passion for helping riders achieve their potential. Whether you're targeting Grand Tour success, pursuing regional races, or simply looking to improve your performance, Nicolas offers the experience and dedication to guide your journey.

Currently based in Madrid, Nicolas balances his coaching commitments with his roles as a TV commentator, brand ambassador for Bianchi, and competitive gravel racer. His continued involvement in competitive cycling ensures his knowledge remains current while his professional experience provides the foundation for world-class coaching.