CYCLIST Neil de ste Croix has just returned from the workout of lifetime after getting free tuition alongside two former Tour De France stage champs. He was coached by Jonathan Vaughters, who rode with Lance Armstrong, at a pro training camp in Silver City, New Mexico.

A fit and tanned looking de ste Croix said the trip, from January 7-16, has honed his performance and he hopes links can be kept up so younger Bermudian riders can benefit.

He took up an offer made by former pro Team Director and Tour de France stage winner Jonathan Vaughters at the annual Bermuda Bicycle Association dinner when he was guest speaker.

"We were having a bottle of wine and talking about training camps and he said he did his in New Mexico in January. He said 'come along, you will enjoy it'.

"I thought he was joking. I thought: 'Yeh, get my butt kicked by a bunch of 23-year-old pros' but he said I would hang in there."

After mulling the offer de ste Croix decided to go and was glad he did as he enjoyed perfect cycling conditions with cold, dry weather, sunshine and virtually no humidity.

The few motorists encountered were friendly ? not normally the case in North America notes de ste Croix.

"It is generally difficult to go cycling in any built-up area. But the roads are very, very empty. It was great," he said.

Lung-busting climbs in already high altitudes pushed him to the limit and built up strength.

"I love hills, they are different, we don't really have them here."

On the first day he rode alone and feared he would never last the pace as he struggled in his first 30 minutes.

"I thought I was really out of shape but when I turned around I realised it was quite steep."

His colleagues for the session included pro cyclists from all over America as well as the reigning Canadian champion, who were preparing for European races next month.

Their performance was monitored by TIAA CREF team manager Vaughters and Weltz who assessed riders for race readiness.

"The first couple of days I was a little sore and a little concerned about whether I would make the ride or not.

"The guys were brilliant, they gave me tips, didn't leave me behind if it was getting quite furious they would make sure I was hanging in there.

"I was told I was very fit which made me feel good coming from sea level to the mountains."

One one session he spent quite a lot of time riding with Danish former pro rider Johnny Weltz who has served as Directeur Sportif and assistant Directeur for a number of the top teams in the world of pro cycling.

"He is a great guy and a very down to earth character. Jonathan Vaughters also donned the lycra and came out. It's not often one gets to ride in a group with not one but two Tour de France stage winners!"

While the pair were friendly they did not give de ste Croix an easy ride who covered 303 miles in five days.

On some sessions the pack paced the car. "After two hours we had an average speed of 36.5km and that was over a course that included a total of 2,500 ft of ascent."

However the riders had a massage therapist on hand to give 30-minute rub downs after gruelling rides, which lasted between 90 minutes and five hours, while top nutrition was provided.

A healthy lifestyle was promoted.

"During the week most of them wouldn't drink. On the last night I made everyone drink!"

The $3,000 a week camp was free leaving de ste Croix to pay for flight and accommodation.

And de ste Croix hopes to keep the link going.

"It looks like they are going to send a team to the Bermuda Grand Prix and hopefully during that time they can train some of the juniors here."

He said there were some opportunities for Bermudians to ride in America with Postal Service having few US citizens on their roster.

"There's always the possibility if we have a very talented junior we could work something with them."