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In the demanding world of high-level sport, where every detail counts and victory often seems to be the result of a combination of physical strength, endurance, and technique, another factor, far less obvious but just as decisive, stands out: intelligence. Far more than a simple asset, it proves to be a strategic and decisive weapon, capable of transforming a talented athlete into an extraordinary champion. A fascinating study, conducted with the support of Arsène Wenger, Arsenal’s former visionary coach, has shed light on this little-known dimension. It demonstrates that the cognitive abilities of elite athletes not only equal those of ordinary mortals but far surpass them, particularly in processes such as analysis, decision-making, and anticipation. Here’s why, and how, this exceptional intelligence makes all the difference…
By Jeff Tatard – Photos: X – Grok / depositphotos.com
The study in question broke down the decision-making process into three fundamental steps:
1. Capture information
2. Define options
3. Make the right choice from these options
This process, universal in human beings, is particularly optimized in elite athletes. Not only do they accomplish these steps with remarkable precision, but they also do so much faster and in greater quantity.
Take the example of a professional cyclist like Remco Evenepoel or Tadej Pogačar: when the situation evolves in the heart of a race, their brain is capable of anticipating events even before they happen. Where an amateur cyclist might simply react to an attack from a competitor, the champion has already interpreted subtle signals, analyzed opposing intentions, and prepared an adapted response.
Step 1: anticipation worthy of a chessboard
The first step, capturing information, is an area where champions excel. Unlike a linear perception of events, they make complex deductions from minor signals: a movement in the peloton, a change in an opponent’s attitude, or even a weather clue. Their brain acts like a sophisticated radar, recording and analyzing every detail in real-time.
This allows them to predict a situation even before it manifests itself. For example, a player like Lionel Messi in football can guess a defender’s intention from their body posture. Similarly, Mathieu van der Poel, in cycling, can anticipate an opening in a sprint long before it becomes obvious to his competitors.
Step 2: thinking beyond binary
Where most individuals hesitate between two simple choices – attack or wait, turn right or left – champions explore a much wider range of options. This ability to consider up to eight possibilities gives them a considerable advantage.
This level of complex thinking allows for the development of finer and more adaptive strategies. In a situation where an amateur rider would hesitate between attacking or staying in the peloton, a champion like Pogačar considers a range of choices: waiting for a better opportunity, placing a teammate at the front to force a reaction, saving energy for a time trial, or even testing opponents with a false attack.
This wealth of options gives them tactical flexibility that can make the difference in tight competitions where every second counts.
Step 3: the impact/effort ratio
The last stage of the decision-making process, making the right choice, is undoubtedly the most impressive. What distinguishes champions is their ability to evaluate the consequences of their actions with disconcerting precision.
They don’t just choose an effective option, but select the one that presents the best impact/effort ratio. In cycling, this can translate into exceptional management of their physical and mental resources. For example, a rider like Remco Evenepoel knows perfectly when to attack to maximize his chances of victory while minimizing his expended energy.
Identifiable cognitive qualities
Beyond physical and physiological abilities, these cognitive qualities have become a distinctive trait of the greatest athletes. Names like Pogačar, Van der Poel, or Evenepoel frequently come up when discussing this sporting intelligence. It’s not just their power or endurance that impresses, but their way of reading the race, understanding their opponents, and making decisive decisions.
Universal intelligence?
This superior intelligence is not limited to cycling. In all sports, we find examples of champions capable of thinking faster and better than their competitors. Basketball player LeBron James, for example, is famous for his vision of the game, his ability to anticipate the movements of his teammates and opponents, and to react in a fraction of a second.
In tennis, Roger Federer was renowned for his ability to analyze his opponents’ weaknesses and adapt his game accordingly. These qualities are not innate, but developed over the years through a combination of raw talent, intensive training, and experience.
Conclusion: the brain, champions’ secret weapon
While physical qualities often attract all the attention, intelligence is undoubtedly the champions’ secret weapon. Their ability to capture information, generate multiple options, and choose the best possible action gives them a decisive advantage.
It is this unique combination of quick thinking, subtle strategy, and informed decision-making that distinguishes great athletes from the rest of the world. And if sport is a school of life, champions remind us that intelligence, like talent, is cultivated and perfected to reach new heights.
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