TESTIMONIALS

What athletes say

In their own words, from Cat 1 racers to athletes in their first year of structured training.

“I've won and podiumed at more events in the last two years working with Johann than I did in 5 years of trying to go pro despite having a full-time job.”

Chris Prendergast, Cat 1. 18 wins and 48 podiums from 91 starts since 2021, working full time.

“Over the past 19 months, cycling has transformed my life. Not only do we have quantitative evidence of performance improvement, but the added purpose and meaning in my life has been unforgettable.”
Kevin Boehnke+54W at 20 minutes in 19 months, while running his own dental practice
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It is rewarding to look back to where we started and how much progress we’ve actually made. 54W increase in 20 min power is awesome, especially considering that’s only a small piece of the pie of what we’ve been training. Over the past 19 months, cycling has transformed my life. Not only do we have quantitative evidence of performance improvement, but the added purpose and meaning in my life has been unforgettable.

My body and overall wellbeing feels the best that it ever has. This fitness that we’ve worked on building allows me to enjoy any activity that I want to do at a moment’s notice. It maintains my immune system (usually…) and I have noticed since I started training consistently I hardly ever get sick, maybe once a year.

And best of all, the consistent training plan gives me an excuse to get outside and prioritize myself for at least a little bit every day. Even on a bad day, getting out and riding 30 minutes of gravel around the neighborhood is such a boost of endorphins and adds so much mental clarity that helps me make better work decisions, reflect on my own self-awareness better, and experience the local area on a much more personal level.

I’m extremely grateful for all the time you have put in over the past 19 months. You are extremely talented as a cycling coach and you have had an enormous impact on my aspiration from not only an athletic performance standpoint, but also a personal standpoint. Cheers to many more months working together while we continue building fitness through consistency!

Read Kevin’s story: how he trains around 50-hour weeks

“I’ve gone from mid-pack finishes to regularly standing on the podium, and I feel more confident and prepared than ever, whether it’s a time trial, crit, or long road race.”
Terry RiceColorado Hill Climb State Champion, Men 40+
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Working with Johann has completely transformed me as a cyclist. When I started working with Johann, I felt like I’d plateaued and I was struggling to improve my results in races. Within just a few months under his guidance, my fitness dramatically increased, and I’ve continued to build on that foundation season after season.

More importantly, Johann helped me become a truly well-rounded rider. Instead of just chasing numbers, he tailored my training to improve my tactical awareness, bike handling, and recovery strategy. I’ve gone from mid-pack finishes to regularly standing on the podium, and I feel more confident and prepared than ever, whether it’s a time trial, crit, or long road race.

This coaching relationship has been a game-changer, and I couldn’t recommend Johann more highly to any cyclist serious about leveling up their performance.

“Johann earned my trust early on when despite not being able to train as much as I’d like for a stage race, I followed his plan and race advice to the t and won two stages as well as podiumed the stage race, earning my Cat 1 upgrade.”
Sam HausmanEarned his Cat 1 upgrade
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I started working with Johann 13 years into my athletic career so in many aspects of training I was very much set in my ways. Previously I found it hard to buy into new ideas from coaches and to that end, probably was not getting the most out of the athlete-coach relationship. Johann earned my trust early on when despite not being able to train as much as I’d like for a stage race, I followed his plan and race advice to the t and won two stages as well as podiumed the stage race, earning my cat 1 upgrade.

Johann has been fundamental in helping me advance many areas of bike racing that were huge blockers to success for me previously. These include technical descending and maintaining my position in the bunch. His experience racing at the top level lent itself to advice that was actually actionable, rather than throw-away comments I’d received previously.

Johann was also very helpful with regard to heat acclimation, something I struggle immensely with and my performance in the heat improved a lot after undergoing an acclimation program we designed together.

I am taking a break from racing to focus on my career and get married but if I return, I will certainly continue to work with Johann again. I recommend his coaching services to anyone trying to reach the next level.

“This isn't a guy who rode in the world tour for a year, got booted then started coaching; Johann had a real racing career as a world tour pro and is one of the reasons I chose to work with him.”
Shane EdeleElite amateur cyclist
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As an elite amateur cyclist who always dreamed of racing on a world tour level, it is a real pleasure working with a guy like Johann. This isn't a guy who rode in the world tour for a year, got booted then started coaching; Johann had a real racing career as a world tour pro and is one of the reasons I chose to work with him. My logic is: if you want to be a millionaire, learn from someone who is a millionaire. I've always wanted to be a world tour pro, so I figured, learn from a world tour pro.

Though I won't reach world tour level, Johann has helped me live vicariously through my training and chasing w/kg numbers so I can crush local cat 1 races, lol, it's fun though!

To any new cyclists, don't let what I am saying make you think: "oh well, I guess I have to already be an elite cyclist to work with Johann." No, that's not the case at all. The great part of working with a top professional athlete is they understand how to help anyone at any level from the very bottom to the very top.

I talked to several other coaches and the two main things that made me want to work with Johann was 1. He's a real world tour pro 2. He had a positive outlook on my lofty goals. He never questioned my ability or had anything discouraging to say. I think that is a real motivating factor when you are looking for a coach.

And if anyone cares, he's a friendly, personable guy as well. I would highly recommend.

“It got me the fastest I've ever been and landed me on a podium in my first year of structured training.”
Chase RobertsonFirst year of structured training
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Working with Johann has been an excellent experience. It got me the fastest I've ever been and landed me on a podium in my first year of structured training.

He has first-hand experience with what it takes to ride at an elite level and understands that training is both physical and mental, so the right approach is unique to the individual. We worked together to find a groove and maintain the balance to stay motivated without burning out.

He's well-versed in the latest research and implements it in his plans, and is always willing to explain the goal of a workout or training block and dive into the numbers after a hard ride.

The feeling you get from working smart and seeing consistent results is extremely gratifying, and having someone as knowledgeable and supportive as him in your corner makes all the difference. Plus he's an all-around great dude!

“He still remembers the struggle and sacrifice, and he's incredibly good at recognizing when an athlete needs encouragement and when they need a kick in the pants.”
Travis Furman
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Working with Johann has been a great pleasure. He obviously knows what it takes to get fit, compete, and perform at a high level, and he was able to take that knowledge and apply it to my often hectic and difficult schedule. Whether it was a local criterium or an international stage race, Johann always got me to the start line prepared and ready to compete.

Beyond just the training, though, Johann has a great deal of understanding and empathy for his athletes. He still remembers the struggle and sacrifice, and he's incredibly good at recognizing when an athlete needs encouragement and when they need a kick in the pants.

The best part of working with him is certainly his soft skills which have always been helpful and very appreciated. I'd recommend Johann to anyone looking to improve because he knows how to get you there and will be supportive along the entire way.

“What immediately struck me about Johann and his coaching philosophy was his emphasis on creating a sustainable routine and tailoring the training to improve my weaknesses.”
Michael BattagliaFormer top-level rower
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Prior to starting cycling, I was a top level rower for 10 years so I am no stranger to coaches, plans, and the delayed gratification that comes with relentless training only to race for a handful of days a year.

What immediately struck me about Johann and his coaching philosophy was his emphasis on creating a sustainable routine and tailoring the training to improve my weaknesses. Having competed at the highest level of the sport, Johann knows what it takes to succeed and he uses this experience to help his athletes achieve their goals on the bike. His attention to detail and willingness to work with his athletes to adjust training so it doesn’t create any additional life stress is what sets him apart from so many other coaches and training plans.

It doesn’t matter what you hope to achieve on the bike or where you are on your fitness journey, every workout Johann prescribes will make you a faster cyclist - the training isn’t easy, but seeing improvement on workouts or getting a top result at a race makes the hard rides even more rewarding.

“Johann has not only helped me to boost my power on a bike and general fitness, but also he built a training routine that I absolutely love.”
Jurgita LemesiuteNational TT Champion, Women Masters
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I have been cycling for 6-7 years when I started working with Johann as I set up a goal for myself - to compete in National TT Championships (I only competed as an amatuer before) and here I am a National TT Champion (Women Masters) half a year later. :)

Johann has not only helped me to boost my power on a bike and general fitness, but also he built a training routine that I absolutely love. His personal attention to every workout and amazing effort to get to know what are my strengths and weaknesses, extraordinary motivational skills helped me reach results that I really didn't believe I could and to love cycling even more (which is not easy when you train 10-12 hours a week + a full time job).

Thank you, Johann, you are the best!! and I am not exaggerating. :)

“His personalized training is world-class and he rigorously tracks my progression.”
Adam SchwendtFormer collegiate distance runner
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Whether you are looking to reach personal goals or the highest levels of the sport, I cannot recommend Johann enough. This is just the beginning of Johann's coaching career, and I'm stoked to be a part of it.

As a former collegiate distance runner, I have been exposed to a variety of coaches and coaching philosophies. When I first began working with Johann, I immediately recognized that Johann's approach sets him apart from anyone else that I have ever worked with. His personalized training is world-class and he rigorously tracks my progression. However, Johann's approach addresses the complete athlete, and not just performance. He possesses the perceptivity to understand the impact of factors outside of training and racing, and the wisdom to address it.

“He’s been very in tune with my wants and needs while still being direct and demanding.”
Felix FortinYoung racer chasing how far he can go
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Working with Johann for the last 6 months has been a super enriching and positive experience. As a young cyclist that wants to see how far he can make it in the sport, having a mentor and a very knowledgeable coach has helped a lot with my progression.

He’s been very in tune with my wants and needs while still being direct and demanding. He provided a great environment to evolve in where I feel comfortable but motivated to push my limits.

After a great winter of training where my numbers went way up, I feel super excited to get back to racing and see what the summer holds for me! I’m confident Johann will be by my side and that I can further improve and refine all the great things I learned this winter.

“The structure and performance gains have exceeded expectations, but more importantly, there has been an emphasis on creating a physically and mentally sustainable program.”
Chris CarnahanHis first time working with a coach
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Working with Johann is my first coaching experience, so I was unsure of what to expect. The structure and performance gains have exceeded expectations, but more importantly, there has been an emphasis on creating a physically and mentally sustainable program. He’s helped me better understand that an occasional bad or missed workout isn’t the end of the world, how I don’t always need to be right at the limit, and that rest, recovery and balance are as important churning out the watts.