January 4, 2008 – What is fast, new on the scene, breeds success and was the number one road club in Ontario in 2007? Club Mazurcoaching.com. Essentially in its first year as a club, mazurcoaching.com collected the most points in the O-Cup Road Series.

Veteran cyclist and successful coach of many Olympic, World Class, National and Provincial Champions, Mirek Mazur was inspired to start his own cycling club as a result of a conversation he had with one of his athletes.

Working with his son Peter Mazur (former World Junior Time Trial Champion and Pro Tour Rider with Saunier Duval), they created the now familiar and sharp, black, red and white club and team kit and put together a new web presence: www.mazurcoaching.com.

Mirek has a passion for cycling and a personal commitment to help the sport of cycling grow. He wants what is best for the sport. As such, club Mazurcoaching.com is open to all riders. Whether you are a recreational road cyclist or a competitive cadet, junior, senior or masters athlete you are welcome. Furthermore, if you are a cadet and wish to start racing, Mirek will coach you for free.

Group rides take place every Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting) and depart from the school at the bottom of Sydenham hill in Dundas. Rides cover varied terrain in and around the Dundas Valley, Flamborough, Milton and Burlington. Bakery stops are a nice touch in the winter and add a social element to the training (and hopefully not too many pounds!). The rides are aimed at achieving a strong aerobic base to provide a good foundation for the race season.

The club also has access to a plethora of experienced riders and professionals such as Mirek himself and Olympian Sue Palmer Komar (who, by the way, will be making her comeback in 2008).

Training Camps

In 2007, Mazurcoaching.com athletes started their year off training in Tucson, Arizona. Each winter Mirek holds a camp in Tucson. In 2007, the camp started in January – in 2008 the camp will start on February 1st and will wrap up at the end of March. Some athletes will remain the entire duration while others will come and go pending vacation, school break and work commitments.

Training camp rides are designed to build a good aerobic base and will change in intensity as the season gets closer. Each rider has different goals and their preparation will differ. Tucson makes a perfect camp location due to excellent weather, flat roads and 40km climbs as well as some the best burritos you can find!

At the end of the 2007 camp it was very clear that many of the Mazurcoaching.com athletes were showing promise for the race season. What were Mirek’s expectations for the club and the riders in 2007? Simple – personal growth for his athletes and club members, and growth of the club membership.

What started out as a group of new masters, some category 3 men, junior and senior women and cadet boys, ended up as category 3 men moving to 1-2 status, several podium finishes during the season, provincial podiums and several personal bests. Riders learned how to race as a team as they traveled to at least a half dozen races in the USA together and competed in the O- Cup Series in 2007. By the end of the 2007 season it was clear that Mazurcoaching.com athletes were on a sharp improvement curve that will surely serve them well throughout the 2008 season.

Mirek can often be heard saying “What is most important to me is that I can get the most potential out of a rider. It is true that every rider has a different potential, but if they can achieve their best, then that is what is important.” He hopes to help all club riders reach their best potential.

Plans for 2008

“I want to continue to build on the positive successes of 2007. I have plans to take both the junior and senior men’s teams to Europe, once each, for some international racing. I believe this experience will be priceless for their growth as racers,” said Mazur. “I also hope to attract more female riders to the club in order to grow women’s cycling in Ontario.”

“Lastly, we have greatly improved our sponsorship for 2008 and I hope to continue to do so in order to support riders the best that I can. Ultimately through my club I hope to help keep the sport of cycling growing and along with other Ontario coaches I want to help Ontario cyclists to perform their best,” added Mazur.

Anyone who is interested in joining Mazurcoaching.com, sponsoring Mazurcoaching.com or hiring Mirek Mazur as a personal coach can contact Mirek directly @ mmazur2327@hotmail.com. Thank you to all of the sponsors of Mazurcoaching.com for helping Mirek make this #1 club possible.

Zoom zoom zoom”¦ watch for TeamMazurcoaching.com in 2008!