Testimonials
My experience at my very first Tour of L'Abitibi could not have been better. Being my first international competition I was very nervous entering the week. Luckily Michael Heitz was there to guide me through the race and allow me to leave it with a better experience than I could have hoped for. Whether our team had a podium finish or a day full of crashes and flats Michael remained extremely positive and constructive. Everything he did was for the benefit of the team. He literally raised the entire moral of the team and gave us something that was truly essential, confidence. I have never felt more comfortable and in control at such a big competition. I know that I will use the valuable skills that Michael taught me in my everyday life. He is a wonderful mentor and aid no matter how extreme the circumstance. I hope to be reunited with Michael in the future.
I just want to thank you for being such a great director and giving me and the team the experience of a lifetime. It was an honor to work with you and have you as a director. Your hard work allowed us to focus on the race. I have never had a director that cared for his riders as much as you did, and I mean that, everything from awesome wake up calls, the pre race dinner, and the fact that you completely lost your voice from cheering and screaming for us. I don't think any of the other directors up in Canada can say that. You know the sport so well and it shows, and I am glad I had the chance to have an amazing director like you. Thanks.
Racing the Tour de l'Abitibi was the most fun I've ever had at a bike race. Between the work of Mike Heitz and our mechanic, I felt like I was being treated like a pro. All the small details and behind the scenes work were taken care of. All I had to worry about was racing my bike as fast as I could. I don't think the results of myself or the team would have been possiblel without Mike.
I had the privilege of racing at the Tour de l'Abitibi. The Tour of l'Abitibi is one of the largest and most prestigious junior stage races in the world. At this race, the riders are faced with torrid speeds and aggressive physical contact while negotiating through the large fields. I raced for the regional team of Arizona Select directed by Michael Heitz. Mike is a great director always having a positive outlook on the races no matter what the outcome. A great strategist, Mike always develops a game plan after perusing over the days results and outcomes. He tells us who to watch for, where the attacks will occur, and reviews in great detail the course profile. Mike always seemed right on with his predictions, which allowed us to be prepared for the toughest moments in races. Coming in to this race, the riders on Arizona Select did not know each other well as we were from various states. This did not faze us however, as Mike stressed teamwork. We became a cohesive unit. Great chemistry among the riders led to a solid 6th place out of 27 teams in the team GC. Our team defeated a few national teams. My experience in l'Abitibi has bolstered my confidence and gave me the tools in order to become a better bike racer.
Thank you for making l'Abitibi such an incredible experience for Connor. The race itself was an unparalleled experience but the "frosting on the cake" was the great team experience he had competing with "Arizona Select". It was a miracle to watch you take 5 boys that had never even met and mold them into a cohesive, successful team within a few days.
As I told you at the end of the tour, I am grateful that Connor had the blessing of having you as his Director Sportif. Your love and understanding of the sport is evident, but probably most of the coaching love and understand the sport. You however go a step further. You possess the qualities that make a coach truly remarkable. I watched as you taught, consoled, congratulated and encouraged the boys on your team...and they responded to your support and enthusiasm. You had their respect right out of the chute, because they quickly understood that you cared about them personally, not just winning races and titles.
As a mother, I am grateful that Connor was tutored by one who was not only competitive but possesses a gentle spirit as well. Thank you Michael! I hope we have the experience of racing together in the future. Connor came home more compelled than ever to work hard and rise to the top. Another year in Canada is definitely one of his top goals right now. He was discouraged that perhaps he didn't perform to the level that would put him in front of the "top brass" but he knew that some of those events were out of his control... a huge lesson to learn in life as well as cycling. Thanks for being a role model in his cycling journey. I hope you will keep an eye on him and feel free to give advice that will help him understand the ropes.
Good luck to you Michael and thanks for everything.
"Michael Heitz is one of the best junior level coaches in the country. He is very organized and is very experienced in both National and International competition. Of all the Directors and Coaches I have seen he is among the top of the list as far as who I would like to work with. He is both a mentor and a friend to his athletes which I feel is the best way to get a positive response from young riders competing at this level for the first time. It is not easy to take a group of young riders who have just met and turn them into a cohesive working Team ready for an UCI Super World Cup competition. I have seen Mike Heitz do just that in a matter of 24 hours all while handling the logistical aspect of such a venture. I have worked closely with Mike during the highest levels of competition, and it is refreshing to see a Director who truly enjoys coaching the best young riders into mature, experienced riders ready to take on the world."
"Thank you for coming out and doing the 2009 SCNCA Junior Development Camp.
It was a great learning experience for me and all the other juniors. Thanks again."
"I just wanted to thank you doing such a great job coaching and teaching all of us. I learned a lot during the skills training and your presentations. The SCNCA camp was a great kickoff to the 09 racing season."
"I benefitted from the skills training and learned much about junior development and going to Europe through your lectures. I also enjoyed the group rides with other juniors. Thanks."
"Coach Heitz,
Thank you for the USAC Development camp in Flagstaff this week, and teaching us all of the skills. It was a great learning experience for me, and I'm glad that I was able to attend. I know your charisma and expertise helped me and all the other riders become more confident in our bike handling skills. Thanks a lot".
Michael,
"You have been such an amazing mentor for me. Thank you so much. Our times together have just gotten started. That one was for ARIZONA SELECT and all of the lessons you taught me."
Coach Mike,
"When I arrived in Lexington, Kentucky for the first day of the Tour of the Red River Gorge, I felt that racing was in the air. Everywhere I looked there were Team cars scattered all throughout the town... red, orange, yellow, blue, green, and ours, of course, a Toyota Carola S and an Infinity FX with Arizona Select decals covering the sides of both.
I was with the team and we were trying to find Coach Mike and Mechanic Mike were and spotted them next to a line of cleaned, oiled, and FAST bikes, and knew we were here to race.
The nights before every race, Coach Mike would plan out what we had in store for tomorrow. We would go over everything, we went over the course, elevation gain, where the KOMs were, who would go for it, places to attack, people to watch out for, and the people not to watch out for, if there was a question it was answered.
The coolest thing that made the race awesome for me was how relaxed Coach Mike made me feel, the only thing that he asked me to do was, RACE MY BIKE and he said that he would take care of the rest. He's got our backs.
Even the day when my roommate and I were walking back from breakfast and saw the buses and team cars leaving for the next stage, Coach Mike made sure to let us know to be on time next time, but to forget about it because we have a difficult stage to race.
Mechanic Mike spent hours making sure the bikes were perfect and spotless everyday. He helped me out a lot and told us some great stories of how Coach Mike's day went in the caravan, some pretty awesome driving I heard.
I want to thank Coach Mike and Mechanic Mike for giving me an unforgettable experience I will have for a lifetime, THANKS."
