Ekaterina Gurenkova: from the first races to the champion of Russia in TIME trial
Title of the issue: "EKATERINA GURENKOVA — FROM THE FIRST RACES TO the CHAMPION of RUSSIA"
Ekaterina Gurenkova started cycling in 2019, and seven years later she won the Russian Championship in the individual time trial. In the conversation, she analyzes the path from amateur starts to the national championship, training at work and family, team support and plans for the new season.
Guest
Champion of Russia in 2026 in the individual time trial. She came to cycling as an adult, combines racing with work and raising three children.
Useful from the issue
- Gain racing experience gradually
Ekaterina advises starting with regular amateur starts and after each one to sort out tactics and mistakes with the coach.
- Plan the preparation together with the family calendar
She combines training, work, and raising three children through pre-selected volumes and a flexible schedule.
- Consider control a part of sports life
After the national starts, Ekaterina undergoes doping control and maintains location data for testing.
How to get to the Russian Championship
Ekaterina started driving as an adult: after an injury, she tried the machine, then returned to the street and began to race. She emphasizes that one strong result at the amateur start is not enough to enter the Russian Championship prepared.
Her advice is to participate in races regularly, sort them out with a coach and gain experience in tactics and riding in a group. According to Ekaterina, such a transition requires at least a year or two of regular starts. This is her personal path and advice, not the rule of admission to the championship.
Family, work and preparation for TIME trial
Ekaterina has three children and a job. She arranges her training around the family schedule. Before the season, she tries to build up large weekly volumes and altitude, and during the season, she adjusts the load according to the race calendar.
She calls Yuri Levinzon her first coach, who helped her master the sport and put together a women's team. Later she worked with other coaches. The victory in the time trial brought her the champion jumpsuit, which she wore at the next starts; Ekaterina herself emphasizes that the competition at the national championship was serious.
Support, doping control and the next season
Ekaterina stands for the team of the Oryol region and thanks the people who helped her with equipment, knowledge and organization. After finishing at the Russian Championships, she was escorted to doping control; she also tells how she keeps location information for out-of-competition testing.
Success in 2026 changed Ekaterina's plans: she had thought about retiring, but now she wants to try her strength again at the Russian Championships. Among the desired international starts, she mentions the European and World Championships. She emphasizes the importance of opportunities for women who start racing as adults.
Timestamps
- 00:00Acquaintance with Catherine
- 04:00First training sessions and victories
- 13:34The way to the Russian Championship
- 22:36Three children and a daily routine
- 30:59Victory in the TIME trial
- 39:18Coaches and teams
- 45:16Doping control
- 52:50Gravel and MTB
- 59:57Plans for next season
- 1:03:21Advice for novice racers
Mentioned in this episode
Russian Championship · Orel region · Yuri Levinzon · Anatoly Solodov · gravel · MTB