About Fitlab

from   This Is Our Story…

Fitlab is a company using sport and fitness testing for a more structured, scientific training. Specialist cycle racing trainers and testers. Our mission is to make a more professional, scientific approach to training available to everyone from beginner to elite.

 

Andrew Jamieson (Fitlab Boss/Sport Scientist/Head Coach) 

– BPhEd, BA-Design, GradDipTeach

Ex Elite Racer 32 years of racing and counting…from local club races to international stage races and Belgian Kermesse. National and Elite Coach Andrew previously worked as BikeNZ Coaching Development Manager and has been coach/manager of several New Zealand Junior teams (road and track). Through Fitlab Andrew coaches and tests many elite riders, up and coming juniors and those wanting to improve at all levels (see our Fitlab testimonials page). Andrew has tested Jack Bauer, Joe Cooper, Shane Archibald, Paul Odlin, and many others as well as previously coaching Brad Evans through to a pro contract with Drapac and coached Ethan Batt from 2018 to 2022. His most recent project was the Fitlab Cycling Team. Racer Dad Now with a family (4 girls 11 and under…Millie, Ada, Indie and Madeline – the last two being rascally twins), riding time is a bit more limited so Andrew often is confined to the trainer experimenting with training ideas and workouts to maximize the hours he can sneak out on the bike.

Training Dads “With many clients in the same situation as me, I find I can relate a lot better to their situation. Many coaches struggle to understand how to train dads with limited time and try to apply the same rules they use with elite riders, but an even more specific and measured approach is called for. Testing fine tunes our method, making everything we do highly accurate. It’s also a good chance for a chin wag and catch up!”

 

 

Steve Bale (Fitlab Tester/Coach)

– BA Victoria University

 

A devoted Wellingtonian, data addict, blogger and vlogger – Steve brings 20+ years experience riding in wind and rain on the track, mountain bike and road to the Fitlab Team.

 Steve has previously managed corporate teams in some of New Zealand’s largest banks and telecommunications companies, before successfully operating his own rental business and now testing and coaching with Fitlab.

 Married, with 2 ferocious daughters, Steve now specializes in Mountain Bike, Road Racing and Time Trial coaching. 

• Level 1 Cycling NZ Qualified Coach, 2015
• Silver, Time Trial Master 2, NZ Age Group Championships 2019
• Gold, Wellington Centre Time Trial and Road Race Championships, 2018, 19
• Gold, Wellington Masters Cycling Club Time Trial and Road Race Championships, 2018, 19
• NZ Hour Record Holder – 2015-16
• Wellington Hour Record Holder 2014-17
• NZ Champion, Master 1 Mountainbike Cross Country 2014, 15
• Gold, NZ Masters Games, Time Trial & Road Race, 2017, 18, 19
• Trust House North Island Cycling Series 2nd Overall, 2016, 17, 18
• NZ Veterans Time Trial Champion, 2017, 19
• Wellington Masters 2 Day Tour Winner 2018, 19
• National TT Champion (Masters 2) 2020
• Masters 2 Time Trial Champion at age group nationals for 2020 & 2021

Steve’s YouTube Channel. Coaching Tips, Reviews, Race Analysis and Tactics

 Steve’s Podcast Faster You Fool

 

 

Scott McDonnell (Fitlab Tester/Coach)

– BTchLn, PGCertSpecTchg, EdM (distinction)

 

Scott has raced competitively since he was 16 and is still going. He has raced internationally for NZ teams and a Swiss team in his younger days competing around Europe, Asia and Australia. Nowadays, he is a specialist teacher of deaf children an active

dad with a large family and races when he can.

 Scott still has a passion for cycling and thrives on seeing and helping people reach their own personal goals. He can help you find your correct training levels and give advice how best to use that information to reach your goals.

2018

• 1st Le Race 45-54 age group

• 1st in Round 1 of North Island Series (35-45)

• 1st Across the line 35-45 age group. Graperide

• Fastest Master Waikari classic

• 2nd Round 5 of Calder Stewart Series

• 3rd overall and 1st in 40+. Bays Classic

• 3rd overall and 1st in 40+. Ride the Rakaia

2017 and Prior

• Overall winner South Island Calder Stewart series 45+, 2017

• M3 Canterbury Road cycling Champion 2017
• 28th in UCI World Master Champs Perth M2 2016
• Winner of 2017 Graperide M3 2017
• Round wins and podiums in Trust House North Island Series 2015/16
• KOM winner and 2nd overall Tour de Vineyards 2015
• Winner and Podiums in Le Race age groups
• 2004 Canterbury Duathlon Champion (30-39)
• 2004 NZ Duathlon Champion (30-39)

   

 

Nathan Dahlberg (Fitlab Tester/Coach)

– Ex European Pro Hardman for 7-Eleven and Motorola/Fitlab Coach

  

Nathan is the man with experience! He has not only competed in two Tour de Frances, won a stage of the Tour of Switzerland (pulling a swifty on the great Sean Kelly) and been 39th in the Giro de Italia, but is legendary amongst old pros for his commitment to training and work ethic. There are few countries Nathan has not ridden or raced his bike in.

Nathan provides his expertise with training camps, tactics and technique.  His most recent project is to record a world record for riding a bike at the highest elevation…watch this space or read about it on his blog.

 

 

 

 

 

Brad Evans (Fitlab Coach)

– BComm

 

Bringing a wealth of experience from an international career. With tactical nous and a scientific background Brad has added youth and depth to Fitlab, with both experience on the European Pro road tour as well as the track (current three time national champion). 

“I’m really excited to be joining Andrew at Fitlab having worked with him over the last three years as my coach. He runs a solid scientific system using Cycling Analytics as well as regular lactate threshold testing. I look forward to offering this scientific aspect to athletes along with using my experience to pass on the knowledge I have learnt.”

Brad can help improve tactical awareness and analysis as well as providing structured training and gym programmes.

With a Sport Science background at Otago University, Brad has the technical knowledge and real world experience to form great coach-rider relationships. Brad is based in the South Island where you will see him about at races about Christchurch and Dunedin.

• 2018 NZ Madison Champion
• 2018 NZ Points Champion
• 2018 NZ Scratch Race Champion
• 2018 Herald Sun Tour KOM Jersey Wearer
• 2016 Tour of Korea Stage Winner
• 2016 Drapac Professional Cycling Team Member
• 2016 NZ Cycle Classic Stage Winner
• 2015 Tour of Southland Winner
• 2015 Tour of Tasmania Winner

 

 

Sharlotte Lucas (Fitlab Coach)

– Ex Women’s World Tour Rider, BSc (incl. coaching and sports nutrition papers), CNZ Coach Course Completed

Sharlotte has raced professionally in America and Europe having raced at Women’s World Tour level in the last few years. She brings 13 years of cycling experience to the Fitlab coaching team. Sharlotte recently had a break from cycling following the birth of her son Jack earlier in 2022, and is now looking to get back into racing. She is passionate about women’s racing in NZ and helping female athletes reach their cycling goals. Sharlotte is also in touch with female specific cycling demands and getting the best training with limited time due to family commitments and work life.

2015

2nd NZ Elite road nationals

2016

• 3rd NZ Elite Time Trial nationals

2018

(Raced at UCI level overseas)

• 4th Commonwealth Games Road Race
• 1st Oceania Road Champion
• 2nd Elite Road Nationals
• 7th UCI WWT Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

2019

(Raced at UCI and WT level overseas)

• 1st Oceania Road Champion
• 1st Taupo Women’s Elite Race
• 1st Sea Otter Classic

2020

(Raced at UCI and WT level overseas)

• 3rd Criterium Nationals (2019/2022)

2021

• 3rd Elite Road Nationals
• 2nd Gravel and Tar UCI Race

2022

• 2nd Cyclocross Nationals