#cnvstn - Pathways

A pathway does not remove uncertainty. It prepares athletes to navigate it.

A pathway is a shared map of a sport’s ecosystem that helps athletes navigate an uncertain journey. It clarifies where development can lead, how progression and support function, and how the ecosystem responds to bumps along the way.

We’re excited to talk to Dr. Jesse Korf about pathways. Cycling has changed a lot in recent years, these changes have made it harder for athletes, coaches and parents to figure out what choices to make as they navigate the sport. We are sensing increasing anxiety as ambitious athletes face these new uncertainties – so, we felt it would be helpful to talk to one of the world’s best performance leaders who also has a rich background in “pathways”.

How it will work 🎓

This will be a two part #conversation:

1. BTG will sit down with Jesse and talk Pathways. The discussion will be published on our Youtube channel for all to listen (available after July 27).

2. Sunday August 9, 2026 at 10AM (Vancouver time) – BTG will host an online #conversation with Jesse that is open to all. The format will be a mix of Q&A or AMA (ask me anything). Participants can submit questions in advance. The #conversation will run about 60 minutes.

Study up!

• Read BTG’s Pathway primer
• Read more about Australia’s Project Ascent B2032+
• Watch the recorded pathway discussion on BTG’s Youtube (available after July 27)
• Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn

More about Jesse

Jesse is currently the Executive General Manager of Performance at AUSCycling.

Between 2022 and 2024 he led an overhaul of Australia’s performance cycling programs. These changes contributed to Australia having its second best Olympics in Paris, 2024. Since the Olympics Australia has been the leading nation in gold medals won at the elite World Championships across all cycling and para-cycling disciplines.

Jesse was previously Pathway development lead at both Cycling Canada and AUSCycling.

Under Jesse’s guidance Australia recently launched pathway reforms following a review led by Chelsea Warr → Read more about Project Ascent B2032+

Jesse was a Keynote Speaker at the Science in Cycling conference before the grand depart of the 2026 Tour de France → Read his presentation on “building environments that make excellence inevitable”

While at Cycling Canada Jesse worked as a central member of the team that developed Canada’s under-executed 10 year strategy.

Jesse earned a PHD from York University, Toronto in 2023. His doctoral thesis explored eminence (super champions) in endurance cycling.