To be a great cyclist, there is more to it than having good legs. Many competing cyclists focus on fitness and think that's enough to find a place on a team, or to win bike races..

Having what´s known as “headroom” is a concept that may be unfamiliar to most. It's the idea that a rider possesses, along with fitness and natural talent, the ability to hone certain skills and a mental balance that are the makings of a great cyclist.

This episode deals what teams look for in an aspiring pro, and some interesting takeaways for everybody at home to help you recognise your own headroom and use it to grow as a cyclist.

The Cycling Brief — Daily cycling intelligence, produced by SEMIPRO CYCLING.