![Kevin Poulton addresses his Katusha Alpecin team. Photo: Photo: TEAM KATUSHA ALPECIN Kevin Poulton addresses his Katusha Alpecin team. Photo: Photo: TEAM KATUSHA ALPECIN](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/38rAid9dPbZiZGpKNJzrreW/b71f5b16-b52a-4956-9ae6-202b73c5632c.jpg/r0_0_1000_667_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
IN the world of road cycling, it doesn't get much bigger than the Tour de France.
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So that fact former Nowra High School teacher Kevin Poulton is charge of Team Katusha Alpecin's assault on this year's event, is a massive deal.
But his two-wheeled journey, which included competing at both a state and national level, to his position has been one that rivals the longest stage of this year's tour - stage seven where cyclist will travel 230km through Ornans, France.
So it came as no surprise that Katusha Alpecin wanted Poulton, with more than 20 years experience under his belt, to join their team.
"I was fortunate enough the team approached me at last year's Tour de France about coming on board for 2019," Poulton said.
"Before this, I had been coaching individual riders across five different teams.
"I hadn't been actively looking to join a team exclusively, but what they presented was a good fit.
"Katusha is a fantastic team, but taking on the full-time role meant I wasn't able to coach riders from other teams any longer."
Following Katusha Alpecin's approach, the Werri Beach resident joined their full-time squad, which consists of 24 riders from 12 different nationalities, in August 2018.
![The 2019 Katusha Alpecin team. The 2019 Katusha Alpecin team.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/38rAid9dPbZiZGpKNJzrreW/9139bb00-4088-4697-aa0d-00f9649381b0.jpg/r0_0_1214_1039_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"I was brought into the team to work with their key sprinter Marcel Kittel," he said.
"Marcel had won five stages in the 2017 Tour de France, but didn't have a successful 2018 event.
"I have two assistant coaches working with me, however my role is to coordinate the training of all riders.
"While I'm based in Australia, I'm generally flying to Europe or the United States every month to conduct training camps and testing.
"I don't attend a whole lot of races, as my job is to prepare the riders for the race - as the sports director takes over at the actual event."
During his career, the Nowra Velo Club member has had individual riders compete in the Tour de France the past four years, while also helping his athletes to victories at the Tour of Italy and Tour of Spain.
As this is his first experience leading a team throughout the Tour de France, he's hoping it coincide with his first stage win at the prestigious 3,460km race.
"The team has had some good results leading into this year's Tour de France," he said.
![Team Katusha Alpecin coach Kevin Poulton. Photo: TEAM KATUSHA ALPECIN Team Katusha Alpecin coach Kevin Poulton. Photo: TEAM KATUSHA ALPECIN](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/38rAid9dPbZiZGpKNJzrreW/2f156b3c-18f0-4464-a86a-206fbd126364.jpg/r0_0_683_1023_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"Just last week, two of our riders won their national championship and in the recent Tour of Italy, we had a stage win.
"We are going into the race with aspirations of a top 10 on general classification with our Russian rider Ilnur Zakarin.
"We will also be looking to win a stage in the sprints."
As much Poulton, who's had coaching stints at the Illawarra Academy of Sport, NSWIS and Cycling Australia, is revelling in his new role, he still appreciates how much the Shoalhaven has played a role in his journey.
"The Shoalhaven has always been a great environment to participate in any sport," he said.
"As a younger athlete, I remember reading stories about coaches from the area attending Commonwealth and Olympic Games.
"These stories always served as an example that it is possible to reach your goals coming from the Shoalhaven."
Poulton continues a long line of Shoalhaven based riders who have experienced international competition in Europe, following the likes of Darren Rolfe and the late Robbie Williams.
Poulton and his Katusha Alpecin team begin their assault on this year's race on July 6.