We gathered on a perfect Melbourne winter’s morning for our June Breakfast with the Bunch thanks to Cprime Elabor8, and this time the conversation took a thrilling spin as our group dove into how modern pro cycling tactics can mirror high-stakes business strategy.

Crash Zones & Feed Zones: The Domino Effect
Our discussion kicked off with how innovations in feeding protocols, allowing riders to sustain higher performance levels, have unexpectedly stirred chaos. Riders are now fighting their way to the front of the peloton to catch food, and more crashes are happening as a result. UCI regulations are being tweaked to re-establish safer “feed zones” a classic case of how one well-meaning change sends ripples right through the system.

Chaos + Calm = Success
We heard first hand how riders must instantly adapt: if a teammate crashes out, the Directeur Sportif (DS) in the team car needs to make split-second decisions – keeping cool, issuing remote instructions, and guiding the team back into the race. As our MC, Olympic gold medallist Scott McGrory, reminded us, those DSs often run up the road to support riders physically, then jump back in the car, heart pounding, and re-enter the chaos – yet remain absolutely calm. That level-headedness under pressure is what makes a winning team.

Data in the Driver’s Seat
Next up: how Team Visma-LAB brings tech to the forefront. Instead of relying on isolated data streams, they’ve consolidated full real-time race data, nutritional intake, heart rate, position and even race radio chatter into one “control room.” This gives them total situational awareness and strategic clarity. It isn’t just about fancy screens: its ensuring decisions are proactive, not reactive.

What This Means for Business
The parallels? In business, many teams are drowning in lagging data and fragmented systems, leaving leadership reacting too late. Instead, if you adopt a “single view of work” layering strategy, transparency, risk, delivery, and financials in real-time, you can steer with confidence, not guesswork. It means faster pivots, less waste, more informed choices and all without chaos.

Rider Theatre vs Real-Time Tactics
One standout moment was Scott reminiscing about milder tactical games of the past – feigning fatigue to lull rivals then striking. Now? Teams rely on constant communication from the car, leaving little room for that kind of drama. Maybe there’s room for both approaches, but high-performance organizations lean heavily on data and calm decision-making to deliver results.

That’s our latest blend of cycling and business wisdom. We hope the discussion sparks a few ideas for your own team. Looking forward to the next one – it’s shaping up to be a cracker!

 

With thanks to our 2025 Programme Partners: Webex | Cprime | Elabor8 | Brennan | SISU Solutions | Polestar | IRIS by Argon & Co | CIOVITA

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Breakfast with the Bunch: Turning VO₂ Max into a Blueprint for Living Better

We kicked off the return of Breakfast with the Bunch in classic ICE style – morning rides, good coffee, and even better company. But it wasn’t just about the bikes this time. Our guest speaker, high-performance coach Dr. Simon Sostaric, joined Olympic gold medalist Scott McGrory in Sydney for a chat that went way beyond watts and heart rates.

Simon, who’s worked with big names like Oscar Piastri and Mark Webber, took us on a fascinating journey through the science of VO₂ max – how it’s more than just a number for athletes. Turns out, it’s a marker for living longer and stronger, even if you’re not lining up for a Tour de France stage.

The Real Deal on VO₂ Max

Simon shared some eye-opening insights: people in the top 5% of VO₂ max for their age are living, on average, five years longer than those in the bottom 5%. It’s not just about beating your mates up a hill, it’s about staying active, sharp, and independent as the years roll on. For many of us in the ICE community, balancing busy careers and family life, that’s a game-changer.

Bringing High Performance into the Everyday

Simon’s stories of working with elite drivers and cyclists had us hooked, but what really resonated was how those same principles apply to all of us. Consistent movement – whether it’s a morning ride, a lunchtime run, or even a brisk walk – pays dividends. Strength work? Don’t skip it. Good sleep, smart nutrition, and managing stress? Non-negotiable.

It’s a holistic approach that doesn’t just make us faster on the bike, it helps us bring our A-game to the boardroom, the family dinner table, and everywhere in between.

Mindset Matters

Simon didn’t sugarcoat it: you don’t need the latest tech gadgets or fancy gym gear. The secret is simple: show up, do the work, and make it a habit. Forget the endless social media hacks and miracle fixes. It’s about small, sustainable choices, day in and day out.

Why It Matters for ICE

As Scott reminded us, this is what ICE is all about – learning from the best, sharing ideas, and supporting each other to live and ride at our best. We’re more than a networking group; we’re a community that understands how performance on the road translates to performance in life.

So, here’s to embracing the power of VO₂ max, no matter where you’re starting from, and building a healthier, more vibrant future. We’ve got some great events coming up in June to keep the momentum going. Let’s keep riding, keep learning, and keep pushing forward, together.

See you on the road!

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Announcing new Event Manager

Want to see how we move extraordinary people forward?

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Sensational Saturday in Singapore

Breakfast with The Bunch in Singapore was a super Saturday with 55 members attending and enjoying new ride routes and an enlightening and candid talk with the controversial cycling legend, Joerg Jaksche: Paris Nice winner and 6 time Tour de France rider (with 4 top 10s). We say thanks to GEMS World Academy for hosting Joerg on the morning.

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Celebrating the Extraordinary...

February marked the start of the 2017 ICE member series with events held in Singapore, Melbourne and Sydney to capacity attendance. ICE Founder Ryan O’Neill shared the ICE Purpose Driven Horizon for members and special guests, outlining a commitment to focus on three core streams:

• Membership: Placing a firm ‘member first’ lens on all activities and interactions to become a membership organisation.
• Connecting: Providing a community platform through technology, events and experiences to accelerate member connections on a local, regional and international scale.
• Sharing: Establishing a culture of openly sharing knowledge and learnings across professional and personal profiles.

To see more: view ICE – The Active Network Video

Visit these links for more on ICE: Partnerships | Membership

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Sensational 2016 Start for Singapore

Singapore’s first 2016 member session welcomed a perfect morning for a ride, breakfast and a few insightful and amusing stories from the professional cycling peloton via cycling celebrity in attendance David “Macca” McKenzie.

Rolling out from our new Partner, Marina Bay Sands’ Bread Street Kitchen, 40 members, in 2 groups, where joined by Giro d’Italia stage winner David Mckenzie. Taking in the beautiful Garden’s by the Bay, Barrage and East Coast Park, before splitting by speed preference at Changi, all arrived back together, ready for BSK’s amazing coffee and breakfast.

EYC3’s Paul O’Rouke provided a unique overview of the Cyber Security landscape and how business’ are beginning to consider the serious implications of not prioritising this issue. Key take-aways we wanted to share were:

• Asia is one of the most attacked regions in the world.
• Most organisations are immature and reactive when it comes to having mechanisms to effectively combat a cyber security breach.
• Analytics help establish preventative measures against cyber attack.
• Never click on a link offering free carbon clinchers!!
• Vegetarian’s training on 150km a week are capable of winning Grand Tour stages!!

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Anna Meares + ICE community evening

Friday February 12th welcomed the start of the 2016 ICE member series in beautiful Melbourne where we welcomed a number of new members and corporate partners to the community!

With a warm morning, registration was buzzing with 65 members and 2 special guests fresh from the Herald Sun Tour, although BMW Melbourne’s fleet of impressively sharp support cars turned more than a few heads. Something BMW’s Geoff Briscoe and ICE are excited to be sharing more with the community throughout the series.

Rolling out from Mr Hobson on to iconic Beach Road, the morning’s route was always going to be a great way to start the day, as conversations in the bunches spun as easily as the wheels beneath.

On return from the ride, EYC3’s Kieran Earnshaw provided a unique overview of the Cyber Security landscape and how business’ are beginning to consider the serious implications of not prioritising this issue. Three take aways we wanted to share from the session were:

• Australia is the second most attacked country in the world.
• Most organisations are immature and reactive when it comes to having mechanisms to effectively combat a cyber security breach.
• Analytics help establish preventative measures against cyber attack.

Following breakfast, and in keeping with our commitment to showcasing upcoming cycling talent, Joe Cooper and Chris Hamilton shared their experiences from the recent Tour Down Under and Sun Tour. Joe’s life moto of “you miss 100% of chances you don’t take” was the perfect back drop to the story behind his sensational ride in last week’s race, that witnessed him toe-to-toe with the current Tour de France champion Chris Froome.

Once again, we thank all our partners for their continued support and vision. Together, we are committed to accelerating healthy connections to evolve your community!

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ICE Chef's Ride with Gordon Ramsay