Pierre Chatel, France -- After two years serving as Team Manager for the Vouilloz Racing Team, Stephane Girard has decide to go on his own and found his coaching company. Optimal Training is intended to provide professional and amateur athletes with training programs and training methods inspired by those used by 10 time World Champion Nicolas Vouilloz. Stephane has an extensive background in coaching, including three years working as US National Mountain Bike Coach and two years serving as an assistant coach with the French Cycling Federation. He was also a personal coach for many top mountain-bikers such as Anne Caroline Chausson, Novenn Lecaer, Ruthie Matthes, Leigh Donovan, ... And is currently coaching Nicolas Vouilloz, Sabrina Jonnier, and Julien Camellini. On top of the experience he got working with the best athletes, he is also a graduate of the Grenoble University with a Master's degree in Physical Education and Coaching.

Girard who was also a XC and road racer started to coach in 1994 by building a junior development program within the French Federation, he then moved as assistant coach to the National Downhill Team and was in charge of the women's Team at the 1996 World Championship. In 1998 he was hired by USA Cycling as National Mountain Bike coach, with the mission to plan and build a Mountain Bike development program. Two junior World Championship jersey at the 2000 World Championship along with 3 medals at the 1999 Pan American games are some of the successes of this program. At the end of 2000 Nicolas Vouilloz offered Girard to take the lead of his newly created Team. With Vouilloz announcing his retirement at the end of 2002, it was the right opportunity for Girard to move on to a new project.

For any information, visit www.optimal-training.com

— Posted by Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Gear Editor