Posts Tagged ‘specialized epic 29er’
2011 ITU Cross Tri World Champion, Conrad Stoltz
Photo by Janos Schmidt/ ITU Media
2011 ITU Cross Triathlon World Champion. Has a nice ring to it. Didnt anticipate the 5th World title to come so quickly. But it was a lot of fun.
I didnt know what to expect of the ITU’s new off road triathlon concept, but I was curious to see how it would be, the timing was good and of course, it was World Champs! So I got the visa and climbed on a plane from Denver, not quite knowing what to expect.
I really enjoyed the shorter distances and the lap course (4 lap bike for 20km) and 2 lap (for 6km) run. The spectators (mostly age groupers who raced earlier) really got into it and lined the course to cheer and watch the action.
Cant believe its XTERRA Waco time again
Last years’ XTERRA Waco winners. Cowboy Caveman and Renata Bucher 1st big win in the USA the Series. Check out last years fun blog here.
What a great sporting community here in Waco, Texas! The people are amazing. Waco is a perfect XTERRA venue. The course is very technical yet fun, its right down town the locals are really behind it. Texas is quite a sporty state- so we expect a lot of people from Dallas and Austin coming to check out XTERRA.
Fellow Specialized rider Melanie McQuaid and I did a 3hr clinic and meet and greet at Bicycles Outback last night. A great cycling store immersed in culture, and legendary wrench wrangler Ian Moore fine tuned my S works Specialized Epic 29er for these particular conditions.
Where the fun begins. Words cannot explain the complexity and fun-nes of this XTERRA Waco course. Its probably 95% single
Burry Stander starts Olympic qualifying
Burry Stander and the Songo.info kids at African Champs 2011
“The Kid” is on the road to the 2012 Olympics. And he is doing it on a 9.1kg Specialized Epic 29er
Read his race report here.
Conrad Stoltz wins Momentum 94.7 Mountain Bike Challenge
Thanks to my Specialized team mate, Burry Stander I was able to pull the hare out of the hat and win the 94.7 MTB race.
It was only a 1h42 race (50km), so as per Ian’s recommendation I hooked it right from the gun. The pack strung out right away and on the first high speed bumpy downhill, I let the big 29er wheels and the plush suspension on my Specialized Epic 29er do the talking. Of course, the few extra off season kilos (or “pudding bum”) helped with the momentum and I soon had a little gap. Defending champ and all round ace Burry Stander is just behind me and ready to rumble when my tire started spewing sealant. (we went through a building site- I must have picked up a piece of metal or glass) The true team mate, and gent, Burry threw me his tire plug and CO2, (I know, I was badly prepared) and I was lucky to not loose too much time. I set off at TT pace and was surprised to be back in 2nd after a few kms. Catching Burry took ages and lots of hard work. And once on his wheel I needed some time to lick my wounds and try calm crampy quads.
Burry rode his super light XC race set up: An ultra light 8.2kg Specialized Hard Tail 29er with a single chain ring in the front. With about 20 min to go we crested a long drag over super bumpy grassy surface. I looked at his bike set up again and knew the upcoming down hill was my only real chance. I cant climb with Burry, I certainly cant sprint with Burry and I suspect I cant ride technical single track with Burry, so I knew I had to try take him on the high speed bumpy stuff- where my superior power, (disguised as 80kg + body weight) full suspension and 2×10 XX gearing should give me the edge.
I felt bad attacking my team mate after he gave me his only spares, but hell, the race wasnt going to win itself…
I put it in the Big Dog (40×11 on a 29er) and went with guns blazing. At the bottom of the hill- just before I blew a gasket- I snuck a peek and was ecstatic to see him bouncing over the lumps in the distance.
The last 3 climbs were murder, but its amazing how magically pain disappears when you see the finish tape…
This was a sweet win, and hopefully this proves that XTERRA athletes can ride too, and I didnt get those rainbow stripes from a Lucky Packet…
Yet again, my lovely Specialized 29er Epic was the key to success. Pic by Erik Vermeulen
Quote of the day: “I am the least pathetic!” See previous blog here.
I also won the 2010 Argus MTB race on a 29er in April
Will download Suunto HR file on Movescount.com soon
94.7 MTB race & Specialized Concept store opening
In Johannesburg, attended the Specialized Concept store opening here in the amazing Melrose Arch last night. Good to see fellow Specialized riders Burry Stander and Dan Hugo and caught up with journos (read “old triathletes”) from way back. Paul Ingpen, Sean Badenhorst and the like.
All the best for South Africa’s only concept store. Looks great. Signing autographs (on above poster from XTERRA Worlds in Maui) from 11 to 2 today. So book your flight now!
Racing 94.7 MTB race in 2 hrs. The road race is huge 26 000 riders. Not sure what the MTB race holds- Burry Stander and Kevin Evans are racing. But then, its end of season for all of us, not one is really in form, so one could call it: “May the least pathetic win…”
