“You’re not going to win the stage race on the first day” – Thomas Turner on strategy and survival

Thomas Turner is a professional mountain bike racer who's been competing at the top level of gravel and mountain bike racing for nearly two decades. He's been sponsored by Jamis since 2010, was the 2012 Cyclocross Masters World Champion, and has notched multiple National Ultra Endurance Mountain Bike Race Series podium finishes along the way. He just got back from racing El Reto del Quetzal in Guatemala, and he's here to talk about stage racing, training, and what it's like to rides bikes around the world. How did you first get into mountain biking and racing? You've been with Jamis since 2010 — what's been the key to making that relationship last so long? You've raced BC Bike Race, La Ruta, Pisgah Stage Race, even gravel events like Unbound and The Crusher — what is it about adventure races, and stage races in particular, that keeps drawing you back? What does it take to be competitive in a stage race?How do you choose which races to enter each year? You just raced El Reto del Quetzal in Guatemala — what was that event like? What does your training look like when you're preparing for a multi-day stage race? How do you handle recovery during and after a stage race? What's your bike setup for a race like El Reto del Quetzal? Do you have a favorite place to ride in the world? What's a fun and accessible stage race you'd recommend for someone trying their first one? Follow along with Thomas Turner's adventures on Instagram ⁠@thomasturnermtb⁠.