 Photo: Zachary C. Bako Joel YounkinsHigh Performance Coach If you think preparation is just training hard and riding often, you’re missing the point. Here are five truths about moto prep that most riders will never face head-on. One of my biggest skills as a coach is spotting gaps and creating a plan to fill them. It’s not about nitpicking or criticizing—it’s just something I can’t unsee once it’s there. And rather than keeping those observations to myself, I use them as tools to help racers get better.
In this blog, I’m breaking down five hard truths I’ve seen in moto preparation over the years—and how these truths can actually set you free; out on the track... 1.) Win the Day Every racer wants big results, but those results are built one day at a time. Whether it’s a practice session, gym session, bike work, or recovery, your mission is simple: win the day. Do something today that moves you just 1% closer to your goals. That’s it. That’s the separator between racers who level up each year and racers who stay the same. The truth is, from beginners to pros, a lot of riders are just doing mindless preparation. They copy what someone else does without ever questioning if it actually helps them. So ask yourself: What am I doing today that’s truly making me better? If you don’t have a clear answer, start by by finding some so that you can win the day. Intentional Work > Mindless Work 2.) Identify What Winning Means to You Everybody wants to win. But only one rider leaves with the #1 trophy on race day. That’s why it’s crucial to define what winning means for you at different stages of your journey.
Without clear goals, it's very hard to measure your progress. In the sport of racing, and in all of its disciplines, it's super easy to improve as a racer while not seeing reflection on results on paper (due to numerous reasons). In these kinds of moments where you may have really improved or leveled up, you could easily get discouraged by not recognizing your actual progress. 3.) You Don’t Know What You’re Doing This one may sting a bit, but it doesn't have to, nor should it—but it’s true. I’ve been coaching for over 15 years, and I haven’t worked with a single rider who knew even 10% of what I know about training. That’s not arrogance—it’s my life’s work to be the best coach I can possibly be, that's not your job. Yet for some reason, many riders see hiring a coach as weakness, like it means you’re incompetent. The reality? You don’t know what you don’t know—and that’s okay. The best riders (and all world class athletes) in the world don’t try to have all the answers. They respect the craft, they stay humble, and they seek out experts to fill the gaps. Funny enough, it’s the amateurs who think they’ve got it all figured out… 4.) Listen More & Ask Questions Building off #3, one of the most overlooked skills in racing (and in life) is asking better questions. As a coach, I’m constantly asking questions. When I get on the phone with a new racer, I usually ask more questions than they do. When I talk with my athletes during the week, I’m probing and digging deeper. Why? Because assumptions kill progress. My college football coach used to tell us in the film room: “Never assume anything—assuming will get you killed.” If you made it a habit to listen more and ask better questions, you’d accelerate not just your racing results, but your wisdom, understanding, and ability to problem-solve in real time. 5.) Racing is a Team Sport People label motocross as an individual sport because once the gate drops, it’s all on the rider. But in reality, it’s absolutely a team sport. I’ve seen talented racers completely derailed by poor team environments. Toxicity, miscommunication, and negativity lower a rider’s ceiling instantly—no matter how much talent they have. Your team doesn't have to mean it's a "team with a rig." It’s your inner circle: parents, siblings, coaches, mechanics, friends—the people who show up with you on race day. Every word, every vibe, every detail matters. Even something as simple as parents giving advice that conflicts with the coach can throw off the entire vibe of the day. The stronger the team around you, the higher your ceiling goes when the gate drops. Final Thoughts Winning is bigger than yourself. It’s about unlocking doors to your potential, leaving no stone unturned, and refusing to hold back what you’re capable of. Winners have egos, sure—but they’re willing to set that ego aside to do whatever it takes to win. The question is: are you?
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