THE SHORT ANSWER
Jack Burke, irish cyclist, author of how to become a pro cyclist, has appeared on the Roadman Cycling Podcast 2 times. Here's where Burke lands on periodisation. The positions below are drawn from those conversations, quoted directly.
WHO IS JACK BURKE?
Jack Burke is the Irish-Canadian rider who turned the question of "how do you actually become a pro cyclist?" into a public, documented project. Author of How To Become A Pro Cyclist, holder of multiple Strava KOM records on Alpe d'Huez, Stelvio, and other iconic climbs, and one of the most-followed amateur-to-pro pathway documentarians in cycling. His work matters for Roadman listeners because he answers the questions amateurs actually ask — about racing pathways, training volume, sponsor relationships, and what it really costs to chase a pro contract — with more transparency than the typical pro press cycle allows.
BURKE ON PERIODISATION
Burke’s key positions on periodisation.
- The amateur-to-pro pathway is more accessible than most riders assume — but it requires deliberate, public-facing effort.
- Strava KOMs on iconic climbs are now a credible alternative metric for amateur visibility and sponsor interest.
- Self-funded and self-documented racing models change the economics of trying to turn pro.
- Coaching, fuelling, and equipment for legitimate KOM attempts is a discrete training block, not a ride out.
- Honest writing about the cost of trying to turn pro is rarer than honest writing about succeeding at it.
IN BURKE’S OWN WORDS
Verbatim from Jack Burke’s appearances on the podcast.
“I didn't have a phone plan for years or I still okay now I can afford it but I still don't have it but for years I didn't have a phone plan because it's like okay that's a little bit more money I can save. The only thing I ever spent my money on was my training because it's like okay I can spend money on something that's not going to help my career like a phone or something like that but that gives me a few extra dollars that it's less time I have to work so I can focus on the bike more or like if anytime I got like an extra thousand bucks here or there like I'd invest that into an altitude camp or a training camp.”
“I was still like really motivated because I just kind of gotten back into training and I was like okay my plan was to race the ski mountain nearing World Cup season for Team Canada this winter like that was my plan up until a couple weeks ago and then I came up with the idea cuz people have been trying to get me to do the zift academy for years and I just couldn't motivate myself to ride the trainer.”
“If you said here's a 29-year-old guy who's been trying his whole life he's been retired for 18 months and now he gets a pro contract when he's going to be 30 when he he's going to turn 30 when he gets this like everyone would say that's insane like that would never happen.”
“I spent five years at the kti level in Europe and like or I spent eight years at the kti level five of them were in Europe and as far as everyone else that I know it's like most guys go to Europe if they're not European they go to Europe they last the conty level for one or maybe two years and then they they go either they make it or they quit and go home”
HEAR IT ON THE PODCAST
Episodes where Jack Burke covers periodisation and related ground.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
What does Jack Burke say about periodisation?
Jack Burke, irish cyclist, author of how to become a pro cyclist, has appeared on the Roadman Cycling Podcast 2 times. Here's where Burke lands on periodisation. The positions below are drawn from those conversations, quoted directly.
What is Burke's main point on periodisation?
The amateur-to-pro pathway is more accessible than most riders assume — but it requires deliberate, public-facing effort.
Which Roadman Cycling Podcast episodes cover Jack Burke on periodisation?
Burke discusses periodisation in these episodes: "Secrets Of The Worlds Fastest Hill Climber - Jack Burke", "Turn Your Cycling Passion into a Profession | Jack Burke".
EXPLORE THE TOPIC
Training Plans— The Complete Guide →OTHER EXPERTS ON PERIODISATION