If there is one commonality amongst these athletes (besides they win bike races), it’s they, as well as countless of others, have been under the AthletiCamps training program for years.  They all come from different backgrounds, with different goals, and all believe in our system of coaching.  They understand that becoming a successful bike racer takes time, patience, dedication, and a belief in the coaching program.  As students of the sport, they have learned a great deal about themselves both on and off the bike.  The results of our athletes speak for themselves, countless wins and podium finishes at every level of the sport.  Our goal is not only to improve your fitness, but to teach you how to compete and win.

Dan Martin
Jane Robertson
Sarah Bamberger
Craig Roemer
Colin McKenna

Dan Martin (El Dorado Hills, CA.) - Team VOS - I don’t like to recommend a coach to anyone.  For one simple reason, it is absolutely something that differentiates.  It is the same reason why I don’t share race tactics with other teams.  The margin of victory is sometimes so small, that any advantage must be protected.  The other side is that Bruce and his AthletiCamps staff has been so valuable to me over the last 3-4 years that I feel I owe it to them to share their skills with others. 

I have now used Bruce Hendler (AthletiCamps Owner) and staff for the past 3 years.  The progress went from good, to great, to unbelievable!  It came to a pinnacle by winning many races in 2007, including Bisbee and Mt Hood stage races in the masters division, and also Cat’s Hill in the P/1/2 field.  Bruce not only help me tune my training with the best scientific methods available, he provided the psychological support that is most often overlooked. 

It definitely helped that Bruce was also a bike racer for so many years.  He was genetically gifted to be a fierce competitor, but not so much that he could make mistakes and still win.  This is what I was looking for in my search for a coach.  Someone who was forced to learn both the physical and mental aspects of racing. Having the fitness is one thing, but knowing how to properly use it to your advantage is far more important.  Bruce started working with me when I had a race IQ that was borderline nursery school, and now I feel like I have a PhD. 

On top of everything else is Bruce’s ability to become not just your coach, but your partner.  He is there with me during each race.  More often than not he is saying “Patience Dan, Patience”.  Then at the absolute perfect time he screams with all his might “Counter! Now! Hard!”.  When your internal voice is rational, at the time when you are on the physical edge of your abilities, you know your coach is the real deal.  With Bruce, I didn’t get just a coach.  I got a training partner, a teammate, and a mentor all in one. 

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Jane Robertson (Davis, CA.) - Metromint -What can I say.  I started with AthletiCamps as a Cat 3 and within two years was a Cat 1 with an NRC win to my credit at Superweek.  When I first started the AthletiCamps’ coaching program, I would have never dreamed that I had it in me to win an NRC event.  Now that I have, my confidence is soaring and I feel motivated to keep improving.  AthletiCamps has taught me to make the most of my talents and most importantly, gain the confidence I need to be a winner.  Both the physical program I follow, as well as the consistent “customer service” has been the keys to my success. Thanks so much for your help the past 3 years, I look forward to the next 3!

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Sarah Bamberger (San Francisco, CA.) - Cheerwine -When I first started looking for a coach three years ago, I was specifically looking for someone whom would help guide me thru my complete cycling career.  I was looking for a coach that knew about physiology, tactics, how to handle the day to day stresses of being a professional cyclist.  Well, after three years, I am happy to say I made the correct choice.  AthletiCamps has guided me into the world of UCI professional cycling and I am confident in my abilities to help my team and also confident in my own abilities when I am on my own.  I have learned so much in the past 3 years, things I had never thought about.  Thanks to AthletiCamps for being there and being a major part of it!
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Craig Roemer (Napa, CA.) - Team Specialized Racing - I had been bike racing in Northern California for years and had some success.  One thing though was missing and that was a win in my favorite race; Tour De Nez.  Sometimes, all an athlete needs to be successful is a knowledgeable coach that can evaluate your current program and make a couple “tweaks.” Well, that is what AthletiCamps did for me and with those small changes and a ton of motivation from my coach and the program, I went out and finally won the Tour De Nez.  Then, a new challenge emerged.  My desire to win a National Championship on the road.  With the help of AthletiCamps, 2009 was the year we made it happen.  National Champion and winner at Tour De Nez.  Not only have two major goals been achieved, I believe that I can and will improve.  Bravo to AthletiCamps!  I will be a client as long as I bike race!

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Colin McKenna - Synergy-Taleo Racing - To Matt Larson and AthletiCamps: I wanted to be sure to let you know that I appreciate how helpful your programs have been. I was doing nothing but long, not very fast, distance rides for a few months before working with you. While I got a pretty good base, I also clearly wasn’t going to go anywhere beyond that. I was very uncertain about what to do to improve further. Since working with you, I have focused exclusively on the programs you have been laying out for me, and they seem to be making a real difference. 

At your suggestion, I purchased and have been using the PowerTap to further refine my training. It has been particularly helpful in keeping my power output up on the flats and brief descents. In the past I would have used those as an opportunity to let up just a bit, without even thinking about it because my HR would still be elevated. But seeing in “black and white” that I was still well within my power zones that you’d determined through lactate threshold training did the trick. Also the sprints you’ve assigned have given me a better idea of what “tired” feels like and I now know when I have plenty of gas left in the tank.

Anyway, I wanted to be sure you knew that your training programs are responsible for the improvements I have been experiencing. I look forward to our continued work together and to having your help during my racing season; I’m shooting for top 5 nationally in my age group and I think you’ll help me achieve that goal. Thanks AthletiCamps!

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