In 1996, Dutch cyclist Bart Brentjens became the first Olympic mountain bike champion in Atlanta—the same year I got my first mountain bike: a steel Giant Sierra, an old but cherished hand-me-down from my older brother. It was love at first ride. Since then, I’ve participated in over sixty events—races, recreational rides, road, MTB, and gravel—both in the Netherlands and abroad.

In addition to my personal experience, I coached youth riders for many years at cycling club De Spartaan in Rijswijk and worked as a Fiets Fit instructor for the NTFU (Dutch Touring Cyclists Federation). I also completed the Professional Trainer program at ICM, further developing my coaching and teaching skills.

I have a family and a full-time job, so I understand how challenging it can be to train effectively with limited time. In 2023, a former cycling friend aimed to complete the full distance of the Grand Raid BCVS in Switzerland—a 125 km mountain bike marathon with 5,050 meters of climbing. Seventeen years earlier, I had to withdraw due to a combination of bad weather and insufficient preparation. This time, I left nothing to chance. I delved into exercise physiology and discovered the Polarized Training Model—a simple, efficient, and scientifically backed method, perfect for busy athletes. With full support from my wife and six months of dedicated training (6–10 hours per week), I not only completed the race but also finished in the top 30% of the field—an unexpectedly good result for someone 1.95 m tall and 87 kg in a mountainous marathon.

I have nearly thirty years of cycling experience, from racing to recreational rides, and from learning through falls to finishing challenging events. Combining this experience with the insights I gained in 2023 through the Polarized Training Model, I now know how to integrate sport sustainably into a busy life. My approach is holistic and practical: no rigid schedules, but a flexible framework that adapts to your energy and form on any given day. We create a plan that fits your life—not the other way around. This way, you train optimally without overloading yourself, while keeping cycling fun, consistent, and sustainable. For me, consistent imperfection always beats irregular perfection.

Curious how I can help you ride smarter, faster, and more enjoyably? Contact me for a free, no-obligation consultation.