23-04-2011 Introduction

My name is Marc Hollander, born and raised in Maastricht, a beautiful city in the Netherlands in '73. After my study at the University of Automotive engineering in Arnhem I went to Italy for my thesis in '99. After tasting the culture and the nice weather conditions I never went back to Holland.

I have always been a sports freak. After receiving my black belt in karate at the age of 16 years I have practiced a lot of fitness/ bodybuilding. Being indoor all the time and having muscles only for "esthetic" and without endurance did not give me satisfaction, that's why I started running, swimming and riding a road bike. Since 5 years now, after some try-outs in triathlon, I decided for physiological and family reasons to concentrate on riding a bike.

My first bike was a second hand Aluminum heavy old "Coppi" road bike with which I managed, besides several crashes,  to get a 3rd place on a sprint triathlon race in Alba (Italy) in the amateur category.
Since 2 years now I have a Cannondale Synapse which is very comfortable and perfect for gran fondos. races.

Lately I also bought a Specialized HT Comp Stumpjumper mountain bike as I am planning to start doing some competition with the mtb as well. I am a member of the Tecnobike team Bra http://www.tecnobikebra.it/

I started this blog to share experience in training, racing and nutrition and hope to help all you guys that search the web like me to get info.

Cheers, Marc