In November 2025, Guy Preston – a master’s cyclist from Florida – visited the APEX Performance Center in Boulder, CO for a 3D TT Bike Fit including AiRO aerodynamics analysis and FUEL testing to help him prepare for the 2026 cycling season with one big goal – to win the USA Cycling 60-64 year old men’s USA Cycling individual time trial National Championship title. Guy had finished in 3rd place in at the national championships TT in June of 2025 after recovering from being run over by a car in December 2024, and was also recovering from an August 2025 crash when he came to Boulder. Guy had signed up for 3D bike fit to improve his TT position and aerodynamics, as well as a FUEL physiology test to help him learn how to train and fuel effectively.
Coaches Jeff Hoobler and Neal Henderson first worked with Guy on his bike fit. The 3D fit process at APEX Performance involves an initial physical evaluation with Jeff who has an exceptional background as a strength and movement specialist. While Jeff was assessing Guy, Neal took all of the measurements of Guy’s TT bike to have a starting point for the changes that would be made based on the combination of Jeff’s assessment, Guy’s cycling 2D kinematics while riding, and also the AiRO aerodynamics analysis platform that we use to determine his aerodynamic drag.
Baseline Position
Optimized Position
Reviewing Guy’s initial position revealed that while there were certain limitations to changes in his position due to UCI rules, he still had plenty of aspects of his fit that could be adjusted to allow him to both produce more power and to reduce his aero drag. Guy’s baseline starting position yielded a CdA of .228 which is fairly aero, but his physiology testing indicated that he would not be able to produce the power necessary to improve his speed enough to take the top spot without improving his aerodynamics. The main changes we made included increasing Guy’s elbow and hand reach, as well as changing to a different helmet. These fit and equipment changes led to a significant decrease in aerodynamic drag down to a CdA of .201, which would require nearly 40 watts less power to go the same speed!
Baseline AiRO – CdA = .228
Optimized AiRO – CdA = .201
The FUEL test data showed that Guy is very efficient at using fat as a fuel source during exercise and also gave us target heart rate, power and perceived effort ranges to target during his training. Note, the power targets and threshold values that we test in Boulder are lower than they are at sea level so we adjust those training targets for sea level workouts. During the discussion of the results with Guy, he expressed his interest in working with an APEX coach, and we were able to start working straight away to help Guy working toward his 2026 racing goals.
FUEL Testing and Results
Guy’s first big race of the year was the Valley of the Sun stage race in Arizona in February where he started off with a victory in the time trial, and sealed the overall general classification with a win in the road race as well. Guy’s season progressed with several other national caliber wins and podium finishes prior to the USA Cycling Master’s National Championships June 27-July 1, 2026 in and around Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Guy’s heat and humidity training experience in Florida, as well as his fitness and aerodynamics were on full display as he took an emphatic victory in the 60-64 men’s 22km (13.8 mile) individual time trial on June 29, 2026 with a winning time of 29:20 – a full 26 seconds over second place!
Guy’s Valley of the Sun TT Victory
While we can’t guarantee that every athlete who visits the APEX Performance Center will achieve their season goals, Guy was not the only national champion that we worked with for the 2026 season. In fact, we performed AiRO analysis with the 2026 junior and U23 men’s time trial national champions as well as 5 other master’s national champions in the individual and team pursuit. We also coached, fit and tested the 17-18 men’s junior national criterium champion among other top performers. Whether your goal is to win or to improve, APEX Performance can help you!
Guy Preston’s 2026 National Championship jersey and gold medal
Author Neal Henderson is the founder of APEX Coaching and has worked with hundreds of athletes from novices to Olympic medalists applying practical training guidance with sports science informed methods.
