Inside the Ride: Áine Doherty – Data, Discipline & the National Champion’s Jersey

From Youth Champion to Elite National Title – A Story of Growth, Structure, and Confidence

Cycling has been a part of Áine’s life for as long as she can remember. Introduced to bikes through her dad and local club rides, she quickly transitioned from loving the social side of the sport to discovering her competitive spark in mountain bike racing as a child. Since then, Áine has raced across mountain bike, road, track, and cyclocross disciplines — consistently chasing improvement and progression. After feeling stuck at the end of her junior years, she joined Holohan Coaching for a fresh start and has since unlocked new performance levels while balancing her studies.

Background and Goals

What inspired you to take up cycling? Cycling has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was introduced to the sport through my dad, who races himself, and some of my earliest memories are watching him compete and being surrounded by bikes. I started on the mountain bike with my local club where weekends meant riding with other girls my age — purely social at first. I loved every minute of it.

I was introduced to racing in my local mountain bike league at age six. I discovered how competitive I am, and I absolutely loved it. From there I continued racing and expanded into road, track, and cyclocross.

What were your main goals when you started working with Holohan Coaching? When I started with Holohan Coaching, I wanted a fresh start, a new perspective on training, and performance improvement. My aim was to build a level of consistency that would allow me to perform well at national races in Ireland and compete internationally, while also enhancing my overall ability as a rider.

How would you describe your cycling journey before joining us? Before Holohan Coaching, I competed through the youth and junior ranks, winning over 20 Irish national titles across MTB, road, and cyclocross. I raced in the British MTB and CX series with many podiums and represented Ireland at the European Youth Olympics, Junior World, and European Championships.

However, heading into my final year as a junior, I felt like I wasn’t improving anymore. I wanted a step up in performance and a fresh challenge in my first year as an U23 — which led me to Holohan Coaching. I was impressed by the professionalism and passion for athlete development, and it gave me confidence right away.

Coaching Experience

How has the coaching approach, including the use of experience and science-based methods, impacted your training? The coaching approach has hugely impacted my development. The balance of experience and science-based methods means my training now has real purpose and I trust the process. My coach really understands racing dynamics — from road races to time trials and criteriums — and pairs that experience with tailored, data-driven planning. I approach every session with clear intent.

Could you share a specific training technique or workout that made a difference Having a structured deload week leading up to targeted events has made a real difference — it leaves me feeling refreshed and prepared to race at my best.

What are your “non-negotiables” with your coach? Trust and communication are essential for me. I really trust Harrison and feel comfortable being honest about how I’m feeling — including things like my menstrual cycle, which I used to find awkward to discuss. I know I can talk openly and that has made a huge difference in how supported I feel. As a student-athlete, balancing a demanding pharmacy degree can be overwhelming at times, so maintaining clear communication is very important. I’m never afraid to text Harrison to adjust a session around exams or when I start to feel mentally fatigued.

Another non-negotiable is our monthly video catch-ups, where we reflect on training, talk about how I’m feeling, and reset goals when needed. It makes me feel listened to and personally involved in the process.

Challenges and Breakthroughs

What’s been your biggest challenge, and how did coaching help? Balancing the demands of training with my pharmacy degree has been tough. Managing a high academic workload while performing athletically can be overwhelming. Holohan Coaching has supported me by adapting my training around my schedule, making it more manageable and helping me stay consistent and motivated.

Was there a “breakthrough” moment when you realised coaching was making a real difference? My first targeted race of the season was a breakthrough. I hit new power PBs and felt strong throughout the event — even though the result wasn’t exactly what I wanted. It was the first real progress in over two years, and seeing both the data and how I felt improve in under six months was so reassuring. It gave me back my confidence.

How does coaching give you the necessary tools to succeed? Coaching gives me structure, support, and a clear long-term plan with specific race targets and performance goals. Every block of training has a purpose and motivation behind it. Combined with honest feedback and unwavering support, I can focus on becoming a better rider — not just training aimlessly.

Results and Achievements

What improvements or achievements have you seen since starting the programme? My biggest achievement since starting the programme has to be winning the Irish Elite Criterium National Title. It was an incredibly proud moment — my first senior women’s road win and my first national title in over two years. More than the result, it was proof that consistency and hard work were paying off.

Winning that title opened up amazing opportunities — including racing at Chicago Grit in the USA against some of the world’s top crit riders in my national champion’s jersey, and racing at the U23 Track European Championships — my first experience on an indoor velodrome.

Personal Insights

How has cycling influenced other areas of your life? Cycling has had a hugely positive impact on my life. It gives me structure, discipline, and organisation — skills that transfer straight into my studies and everyday routines. It has also been essential for my mental wellbeing, giving me a productive outlet during stressful periods. Beyond performance, cycling has introduced me to friends for life and opened opportunities to travel and experience new places. It has shaped me as both an athlete and a person.

What’s your favourite part of the training programme or your routine? I love the variety in the sessions — it keeps training engaging and motivating. Each session feels purposeful, whether building strength, endurance, or race-specific efforts. I especially enjoy the gym work — it’s helped me feel more explosive and robust as an athlete and adds a refreshing change from time on the bike.

What keeps you motivated? Clear goals and targets keep me motivated — the daily drive to improve and build toward performance milestones. Winning the national title last season has added further motivation. Experiencing what it feels like to stand on the top step in the champion’s jersey is something I want to do again.

Feedback & Looking Ahead

What’s next for you in your cycling journey? My goal over the next year or two is to step up onto an international team where I can race at a high level more consistently, be exposed to stronger fields, and continue to develop. I want to keep progressing and see how far I can go in the sport.

What advice would you give to someone considering structured coaching? I highly recommend structured coaching. It brings clarity and direction to your training — it’s tailored to you, your goals, and your strengths. Don’t be afraid of change. It might feel daunting to switch coaches or environments, but for me, it was one of the best decisions I made. Be transparent with your coach, trust the process, and be patient. Structured training won’t just improve performance — it will improve your confidence and approach to training and racing.