About Coach Gilberto

About Coach Gilberto

About the Coach

Gilberto
Cortez

My name is Gilberto Cortez and I am a USA Cycling, and TrainingPeaks Certified Coach from San Diego, California. With over 20 years of experience racing in mountain and road bike events, I have the experience necessary to guide you in the right direction.

I offer power-based results-driven training managed via the TrainingPeaks application. The results of my client-athletes are my number one priority, for this reason, I will customize every aspect of your training to maximize the effectiveness of every single session.

My Certifications Include

USA Cycling Coach Level 1
TrainingPeaks Coach Level 2
NICA Coach (Past Certification) Level 1

Community Involvement

2024–25 Padyak Racing Team Board of Directors (Non-Profit)
2024–25 Padyak Racing Team Junior Development Team Manager and Coach
2024 Great Western Training Program Manager and Coach

My Coaching Journey: A Commitment to Excellence

My coaching career began in December 2014, driven by a fascination with the science behind performance. Since then I’ve kept learning — through certifications, summits, and hands-on clinics — and invested in the tools that make every athlete’s training more precise.

2014 December
From Racer to Coach USA Cycling L3
Transitioned from competitive athlete to coach and earned my USA Cycling Level 3 certification — the foundation for building personalized training plans.
2019 September
Endurance Coaching Summit TrainingPeaks L1
Attended the TrainingPeaks University summit at the University of Colorado, Boulder — lectures, workshops, and hands-on sessions in sports science, data analysis, and athlete management.
2019 October
Olympic Training Center Clinic USA Cycling L2
An intensive clinic in Chula Vista, CA, covering advanced training methodologies, biomechanics, and power-based analysis.
2019 October
Giving Back to Youth Cycling NICA L1
Volunteered with the Eastlake / SBC MTB Team, managing training plans and leading indoor courses at the YMCA for junior athletes.
2020 June
TrainingPeaks WKO5 Analysis
Invested in WKO5 and completed over 10 online courses to analyze workouts in depth and make precise training adjustments.
2021
Advanced Data-Driven Coaching TrainingPeaks L2
Deepened my understanding of periodization, heart rate zones, and power metrics to tailor programs even further.
2024 July
VO2 Master Testing
Invested in a portable metabolic and aerobic testing device, plus coursework on VO2 testing and its application in sports science.
2024 October
Bentonville, Arkansas USA Cycling L1
Completed USA Cycling’s highest certification level, learning from top educators, coaches, and professional athletes.
Read the full story of my coaching journey →

Testing & Equipment

I use technology not for its own sake, but as a meaningful tool to improve athlete outcomes. Testing shows exactly where you are, so your plan is built on your real numbers — not guesswork.

My Toolkit
VO2 Master Portable metabolic and aerobic testing device.
TrainingPeaks WKO5 Advanced workout analysis, modeling, and data visualization.
TrainingPeaks Where your plan lives and every session is tracked.
Power Meter Data Power-based, results-driven training.

Science-Driven, Athlete-Centered

Coaching is more than training plans; it’s a partnership where knowledge, technology, and passion drive every step forward.

01 Science-Backed Methods grounded in sports science and data, combining technology, knowledge, and passion.
02 Individualized Every athlete is unique — I identify your strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth.
03 Efficient Every session contributes to your progress and maximizes gains within your available time.
04 Open Communication You’ll understand the ‘why’ behind every workout, building trust and keeping you motivated.

Client Past Results

2026
2nd Overall Baja Epic Stage Race Men 50+
2nd Overall Rim Nordic Series Pro Men
Overall Series Champion Rim Nordic Series Men 30–39
2nd Overall Kenda Cup XC Series Open Men
2x Race Winner SoCal Cycling League JV2 · Lake Cachuma, Vail Lake #4
1st Place Barrio Logan Grand Prix Open Junior 15–16 Men
3rd Place JKC Memorial Hunte Parkway Road Race Cat Pro/1/2/3 Men
12th Overall USA Cycling Juniors Cup Road Series Men 15–16
10th of 53 USA Cycling US Cup, Vail Lake XC 15–16
2025
1st Place Bariani Road Race Men Junior 15–18
2x Race Winner ELDO Race Series Men Junior 14–18
Overall Series Champion SoCal Cycling League XC Series
1st of 58 SoCal Cycling League Championships
Undefeated · 6 wins Quick N’ Dirty Summer XC Series
3x Round Winner Kenda Cup XC
1st Place Baja Epic 100Km Race Master 60+
Finisher Leadville 100 MTB
State Champion Masters 65+
Baja California State Championship Female Elite
Southern State Champion SoCal MTB Freshman
2024
1st Place Sagebrush Safari XC Sport Men
1st Place Dirty 30 Sport Men
1st Place Baja Epic 100Km Race Master 60+
Overall Series Champion EACC 14 & Under
2023
Overall Series Champion California Series – XC Marathon 30–39
2022
Overall Series Champion California Marathon XC Series Men 30–39
Finisher Leadville 100 MTB
2019
State Champion California State Championship Cat 3 Junior Men
Overall Series Champion California Series Cat 2 Women 30–39
2018
1st Place 24 Hrs of Endurance North America Championship CoEd Team
Overall Champion Rim Nordic Series Expert Men 30–39
3rd Place California State Championship Cat 1 Men 30–39
2017
1st Place 24 Hours of Endurance NorCal Pro/Open Men
Overall Champion California Endurance Championship Series Pro/Open Men

…and many more.

As seen on
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