November 21, 2005 – While on her visit to Toronto, as the guest speaker at the OCA 2005 Cycling Celebration on Saturday evening, Canada’s Olympic gold medalist, Lori-Ann Muenzer managed to fit a two and a half hour training session into her busy schedule at the D’Ornellas Fitness Factory.

Aubrey Bryce, a two-time Olympian and long time friend of Muenzer and Eon D’Ornellas, a four time Olympian, organized the training session on Saturday morning at the D’Ornella’s Fitness Factory in Toronto.

Fifty five athletes brought their bikes and their trainers and set up for a very special workout with Bryce and Muenzer at the helm. Athletes included road riders, racers, triathletes and aspiring juniors. Many of the participants are coached by Bryce and D’Ornellas and are currently competing at the national and international level. They came from as far away as Ottawa for the chance to train with Muenzer. Everyone was thrilled for the opportunity to train with Canada’s first ever gold medalist in Olympic cycling.

Muenzer stressed to the athletes that the road to success is a long journey and requires a “map” consisting of a well thought out and directed training plan. After warming up on their bikes, the athletes were treated to a replay of Lori-Ann’s stunning Olympic victory at the 2004 Athens Games. While the participants beamed and cheered, Muenzer graciously spun on a set of rollers. The balance of the session was led by Bryce and Muenzer while the documentary, One Gear No Breaks (1GNB) played on the giant screen. 1GNB is a documentary that follows Muenzer’s journey around the world in her bid to add a world championship to her 18-year career and caps off with her Athens gold medal performance. You can purchase a copy through Lori-Ann’s website, www.puremomentum.ca.

Highlights from the training included Muenzer’s recommendation to train intervals in 1 to 5 ratio. Muenzer led the 55 riders in several sets of intervals which consisted of a 10-second sprint in the drops followed by a 50-second ride at ‘flat road’ speed and tension. This was repeated three times and was finished with a five minute ride at “flat road”. Riders repeated this cycle three times during the session with Muenzer commenting on the improvement in speed and technique through the experience. She encouraged the athletes to focus on pedal technique and to keep their shoulders relaxed and arms bent and loose during the session.

The training ended with Lori-Ann posing for photos and autographs before having to leave for her next scheduled appearance. Muenzer made a special effort to congratulate and encourage two keen eleven year olds who participated in the session. She is a great supporter of kids in sport and has developed her own program in order to give the opportunity for kids to learn to race bicycles.

Bryce and D’Ornellas run training sessions at the Fitness Factory on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8:30pm, on Saturdays 8-11am, and Sundays 9-11am. For more information on how to participate, contact Aubrey Bryce at www.endurotraining.com.