2008 World XTERRA Champs
October 27th, 2008 by Conrad StoltzI knew I had my 4th XTERRA World title in the bag. I knew it.
I felt the strongest I have felt in years. Tore up the bike course and had between 2min30 and 3min lead with only 6k to go on the bike- and then the P word happened again- on the smoothest road on the course. I quickly fixed the slow puncture with foam- and still in the lead- carried on. The P thing slowly came back, and then I had to stop and put in a lime tube. The change went quick, but I resumed in 4th and of course the tube couldnt resist the P. So I rode the last 5k on the rim. Thankfully its an Edge wheel and it had no damage, smallish crack in the bead hook. Riding the rim on the lava was really dangerous, the rear wheel slid out in every turn, but a deep determination coupled with deep denial kept me mashing the pedals.
I started the run 5 minutes behind. It was all gone. I didnt come here to race for 10th. I enjoyed the run. The views, fellow athletes and people. I finished with a smile and enjoyed the Halloween party. People say” what a gentleman you are”.
But today I’m totally gutted. I dont feel the gentleman. I put so much into this World champs, no, I put everything I had- the whole year- into this and now I have nothing but a big empty feeling inside me. Never mind the big empty place in my bank account. Money cant but a World title.
I have won 3 World titles here and I have lost 2, maybe 3 to mechanicals. This is a humbling, cruel sport.
I qoute from the XTERRA race report:
“Early on, this race showed all the signs of a Stoltz world championship run. The “Caveman” was out of the water with the leaders, passed everyone by the fourth mile of the bike where he had already put 30 seconds on Marceau, Dan Hugo, Batelier, and Eneko Llanos. From there he extended the gap, and was up 1:30 by mile 10 and with less than two miles left of heavy climbing before “The Plunge” steep downhill section where Stoltz’ is at his best, it looked like he was well on his way to a 4th World Title.
“I felt really good today, best I’ve felt in a long time. I was relaxed and riding really fast on the technical stuff, and even had quite a bit in the tank for the run, but then it came down to luck,” said Stoltz, who got a slow-leak somewhere around mile 13 or so that forced him to stop, repair, and watch as Ruzafa went by.
To compound matters, at mile 17 Stoltz’ back tire was completely gone, and he was dangerously riding on the rim coming down the lava fields. “It’s the last race of the season and I wanted to see what I could salvage,” said Stoltz.
By the time he entered T2 and was five minutes and 10 places back, best he could do was a) enjoy the ocean views, b) make sure his fiancée Amber Monforte, who took a nasty spill and had a shovel full of gravel embedded in her shoulder, was o.k., c) drop words of encouragement and some energy gel to a friend, and d) cross the line graciously in 12th place giving high-fives to the spectators that lined the finish chute.
October 28th, 2008 at 4:00 am
Conrad,
Please don’t let this race kill your spirit. You are undeniably the greatest triathlete Xterra has ever encountered. You’ve been absolutely dominant in every race in the US save for the crummy Nationals where everyone did shit except for the polar bears. There has been no greater inspiration than you, Dan Hugo and James Walsh to an aspiring triathlete like myself. Keep kicking butt and hope that next year the lava fields aren’t full of thorns or whatever it is that gives you a flat.
Anyway, sorry for gushing. I watched the whole event unfold and I threw my computer when I saw you had fallen victim to another mechanical. You’re the hero of Xterra and I hope you continue your dominance next year. Maybe I’ll even meet you in Birmingham!
-Drew
October 28th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Dude, you are a stud/gift from the gods and everyone knows it. Dare I say that you are a transformational figure?: classy, smart, talented, driven, etc. etc. all with an absolutely delightful disposition and sense of humor. You are one of those figures in life that I would just love to hang out with.
So….I feel your pain regarding the WC’s. Totally out of your control (although why not go with a stronger-heavier-more durable tire set up next year??? All these flats are unacceptable! The added weight will hardly affect you!) Does that make you one less bit of The Man? Hell no. Where there are defeats and mistakes and disappointment, there is opportunity and success for you is practically inevitable (Jamie Whitmore is learning this). Live for another day!
With great respect for all of the competitors out there on Sunday…What a magnificient display of grit, bravery, and talent, I was blown away watching.
David
Rockville, MD <—- please visit!
October 28th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Dear Conrad:
I hope Amber is okay!
I was so disappointed to hear you did not have the kind of day you had hoped and trained for. You are a “glass is half full” kind of guy and that is very rare. You inspire people because you persevere and are so thoughtful and kind. I think the real winner was listed as 12th place. Maui, like Kona is a fickle and mystical place.
Kind regards,
Rich
October 28th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Ciao Conrad, sorry but I will write in Italian, cause I can’t explain in English what I want to write.
Ho letto con attenzione il tuo commento e penso che tu abbia dato a tutti gli sportivi e allo sport in generale un grande esempio, un bell’insegnamento. Solo i “nobili dello sport” sanno accettare le fatalità che ti sono accadute e che bruciano come ferite aperte. Queste ferite ti renderanno ancora più forte e sono convinto che tu e Dan l’anno prossimo vi giocherete l’oro e l’argento, due metalli che meritano di stare al vostro collo.
Take care, see you
Igor Nastic
October 29th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Wow, this makes me wish I had something to give to someone who has brought so many smiles to my face. I suppose if winning wasn’t hard it wouldn’t interest you all that much. I also suppose you will often ponder this one during ice cream and beer season. I look forward to our next encounter where the path to redemption begins.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Conrad, nobody would think less of you if you acted less of a gentleman and showed your disappointment. Everyone who’s met you, knows of you or sponsors you knows you are a class act.
So, by all means, threaten baby chicks and bunny rabbits. Shout mean things to puppy dogs. You’ll feel better and your reputation will always be stellar. I have always been amazed by a select few professional athletes, not for their capacity to win, but for their capacity to tolerate ridiculously bad luck and astounding disappointment, over and over again….and then return to compete tougher than ever.
In my (very) short time wrenching on the pro road circuit, I saw some amazing temper tantrums by top riders (NOT on my team, for the record) who couldn’t tolerate the slightest bad luck, or adversity or they just weren’t getting what they wanted. Sure, those guys were on the podium plenty of times…but I’ll remember those guys for how they lost and their massive hissy fits, rather then their success.
Get your fly rod out when you’re back. Fly fishing heals all wounds.
October 29th, 2008 at 10:20 am
tequila’s on me when were back in the Dros in 6 weeks!
October 29th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Hey Conrad,
Drove my family up the wall all of Sunday, waiting for the race to start at 9pm our time(Namibia), cause i knew you would hook it. I watched via the worst internet connection on the African continent and lost the feed as you flatted. I was absolutely shattered, so i cannot even imagine how you must have felt.
However, i believe you own this race and and the title is out on loan for another year before you make it 4. Thank you for being an inspiration; reading your epic blogs has rekindled my love for triathlon and X-Terra in particular. I hope to meet you in Grabouw next year.
October 31st, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Jammer om van die P woord te hoor, Conrad. Ek’s bly jy kon darem nogtans die party geniet.
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:36 am
I know we all love your humor, the best stories, and your sincerely gracious and genuine compliments to the winner when it isn’t you. This is a quality that we all admire, because we all may not be that nice - like you. Of all the people you are allowed that “what the hell!!!!” You told me once how funny it was that I did Xterra for fun and it is your job. So I get it, we all want to succeed at our job. The difference in my job is that there is a distinct path to take but in XTerra there is a method and game plan to success but really it takes all the planets lining up for you at that exact moment.
I know you inspire so many, and I can only speak for myself but after this I am even more motivated than ever to be in Maui with you next year.