Prof. Richard Davison
PhD · BSc (Hons) · FCASES · FECSS · CSci
A career spent at the intersection of exercise science and elite cycling coaching — publishing the research, educating the coaches, and making the science accessible to every athlete.
Professor-level science.
Experienced expert coach-level application.
Richard Davison's approach to cycling coaching is rooted in exercise science — not in spite of his academic career, but because of it. Where most coaches draw on race experience, Richard draws on the peer-reviewed literature. Where most training plans are built on convention, his are built on evidence.
That doesn't mean the coaching is abstract or theoretical. Over 35 years of practical experience at elite level — including coaching Olympic, Commonwealth Games, and British Champion-level riders — means the science is always translated into something an athlete can actually do on the bike.
His 22 years as a British Cycling Senior Coach Education Tutor — and his role as a UCI Technical Coach Education Expert — add another dimension: Richard doesn't just coach athletes, he develops coaches. He spent over two decades helping to create and deliver the British Cycling coach education scheme, and that experience of improving coaching practice at a systems level runs through everything the Cycling Science platform does.
As a competitive cyclist in his own right, Richard won 11 Scottish Championship medals including six golds across the 12-Hour Time Trial and Best All Rounder categories. He understands the sport from the athlete's perspective as well as the scientist's.
Professional fellowships & accreditations
- Fellow, Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (FCASES)
- Fellow, European College of Sport Sciences (FECSS)
- Chartered Scientist (CSci), Science Council
- British Olympic Association Registered Physiologist
- UCI Technical Coach Education Expert
Handbook of Cycling Science
Edited by Prof. Richard Davison & A. Bossi. Published by Routledge, 2026. A comprehensive reference work synthesising the current state of cycling science across performance, physiology, nutrition, and technology.
Career highlights
Education & early career
- BSc (Hons) Physiology & Sports Science, University of Glasgow (1985–1989)
- PhD Exercise Physiology, University of Glasgow (1990–1994)
- Scottish Cyclists Union Coaching Coordinator (1990–1993)
- Coach & Sport Science Coordinator, Scottish Commonwealth Games Road Squad, Victoria (1992–1994)
Academic & coaching leadership
- Professor of Exercise Physiology for more than 15 years — across multiple leading UK universities
- Chair, British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (2006–2008)
- Senior Coach Education Tutor, British Cycling (2000–2021)
- Editor, Journal of Sports Sciences — Talent ID & Coaching section (2005–2017)
- Organised the 1st World Congress on Cycling Science, Edinburgh (2010)
- 10 successful PhD supervisions; 30+ years of HE teaching
Platform & current work
- President, European College of Sport Sciences Congress, Glasgow (2024)
- Associate Editor, Journal of Science and Cycling (2017–present)
- Launched the Cycling Science Podcast (2018) — 19+ episodes with leading researchers
- Authoring the Handbook of Cycling Science (Routledge, 2026)
- Managing Director, Submax Performance Ltd (2013–present)
Competitive cycling
Richard has competed in time trials and cyclocross throughout his career, winning 11 medals at the Scottish Championships — including six golds. He remains an active cyclist and life member of Ross-Shire Roads Cycling Club.
In recent years Richard has turned his attention to age group competition on both road and gravel, qualifying to represent Great Britain in both disciplines. He finished in the top 20 at the UCI Road World Championships when they were held in Scotland in 2023 — a result that speaks as much to the coaching methodology as it does to the athlete.
- 🥇4 × Gold Medal — 12 Hour Time Trial, Scottish Championships
- 🥇2 × Gold Medal — Best All Rounder, Scottish Championships
- 🥈2 × Silver Medal — Best All Rounder, Scottish Championships
- 🥉2 × Bronze Medal — Middle Distance Best All Rounder
- 🥉1 × Bronze Medal — 100 Mile Time Trial
Podcast co-hosts
The Cycling Science Podcast is co-hosted with two colleagues who bring complementary expertise in mountain biking, exercise immunology, and performance research.
Prof. Geraint Florida-James
Edinburgh Napier University (Retired)
Academic lead at the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland at Glentress. Has coached World Cup and professional World Enduro Series MTB athletes and conducted contract research on pollution and performance for UK Sport and the British Olympic Association. Associate editor, Journal of Science and Cycling.
Dr. Lesley Ingram
Lecturer, Edinburgh Napier University
A competitive cross-country cyclist who reached World Cup level, now coaching athletes across cross-country, enduro, and ultra-endurance disciplines. Holds a BSc (First Class Honours) in Sport and Exercise Science and a PhD in exercise immunology from Edinburgh Napier University.
Work with Richard
Whether through coaching, a training camp, or the knowledge base — the science is available to you.