The Riders Circle

Qualifications

In early 2024, James graduated from The University of Waikato with a bachelor’s degree in Health, Sport, & Human Performance Science. Relevant topics include advanced exercise perscription and monitoring, nutrition for health and exercise, biomechanics, sports psychology, and analysing coaching for learning.

Mid-2025, James is set to finish a master’s degree, where his topic focuses on energy production, the effect of lactate and hydrogen ions on muscular fatigue, and whether the use of a topical gel can delay muscular fatigue and improve rowing performance.

Sports Industry Experience

Whilst studying, James had a brief placement with the Chiefs Rugby U18 development camp and did some video coding/analysis behind the scenes for Magic Netball.

James has experience educating and working with high school students in the applied sport science exercise programs ran by the University of Waikato.

James is passionate about bringing a new perspective to MX & MTB training by transferring key learnings and theories from other sports and applying them to MX & MTB.

MX & MTB Experience

James has been riding bikes his entire life and began MX when he was 11. He has been fortunate enough to race many of the big races in NZ and Australia. As any young person full of desire would do, James trained hard, but not smart. This led to up and down results and feelings of confusion when getting tired in motos, even though he was training hard (who knew a thing called cumulative fatigue existed?).

James has been coaching the on-bike MX technique since ~ 2019. James created The Riders Circle in 2022 to assist MX & MTB racers with complete physical development to meet the demands of the sport.