June, 2008

Conrad "The Caveman" Stoltz is into a big year as he attempts to take both European and USA XTerra Triathlon Series. To date Conrad has never raced in the European Series, but that changed this past weekend, with Conrad racing in Xterra Wales. Second position was a great start ..... Conrad's report is below. 

Conrad testing tires in Stellenbosch in March 

Conrad's report: 

Wow, what a race.

It rained the whole time, (I think) the course was super scenic - green and lush (because of the rain) and thankfully the trail drained well and the mud as quite watery. (Instead of sticky)

Men’s Downhill, Saturday June 21st 

The downhill ski jump

What a course and what a race – “a rowdy course” to be more accurate. On finals day, Frank Stacy, Specialized’s tire consultant and I walked the course in awe of the riders and what they were tackling. It was simply unreal to watch.

Steve Peat much like Susi has been at the top for so long, but that world championship jersey has always been that one position out of reach. God he came close today. With Sam Hill falling in the last corner, Steve Peat was on top with only Gee Atherton left. But Peat’s team mate Atherton stole the show to take a well deserved victory.

Men’s Crosscountry Sunday June 23rd 2008

 Liam making sure all is in order (courtesy Gary Perkin)

Today was personal for many reasons ….. Personal for Susi’s mum, Benno, the team and I …. Karina (Susi’s mum) has been there forever, Benno has been his mechanic since 2003 and Susi has been a great friend to me since 1999. We have seen the marathon world championship, two world cup overall titles, the thirteen world cup wins, but until today no world cross country win, something that has eluded Susi, but a title he truly deserved.

The determined eye (courtesy Gary Perkin)

It's Friday and two big days of racing ahead. Conrad "The Caveman" Stoltz has arrived in Wales, a trip which was a story in itself with delayed flights, missing luggage and more ... I am sure there will be a good story next week. This will be Conrad's first ever European XTerra Series Race and he has plans to not only take the USA Series again, but also the European Series, something that has never happened before.

Meanwhile the MTB team are in Val Di Sole, Italy for the world championships. Kyle is in downhill action tomorrow (Saturday), while Susi, Liam and Lene have their cross country races on Sunday. The team are looking good and positive ahead of the racing.  

Triathlete Magazine July 2008

(report from www.xterraplanet.com)

Father’s Day couldn’t have gone any better for Josiah Middaugh from Vail, Colorado as the 29-year-old turned in a brilliant bike and gutsy run to chase down South African Dan Hugo in the last mile to become the first American since Michael Tobin in 2000 to win the XTERRA East Championship on the epic trails of the James River Park System in Richmond today.

Middaugh, with a winning time of 2:02:51 – just 24-seconds ahead of Hugo, has been the top American in the XTERRA U.S. Pro Series for three of the last four years but this is just his second XTERRA championship race victory, and first since winning the Mountain crown in 2004.

“This one is for all the Father’s out there,” said Middaugh, who has two and four-year-old boys, to an appreciative crowd at the awards ceremony.

Please click here to read a full report on Liams interview with myfreesport.co.uk

Report taken from www.XTerraplanet.com

PELHAM, AL – Conrad “The Caveman” Stoltz overcame a flat tire and the hard charging Dan Hugo to win the men’s race while mountain bike phenom Shonny Vanlandingham pulled off the first big win of her XTERRA career to take the women’s XTERRA Southeast Championship at Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County today.

A great blue heron was soaring over the warm 80-degree waters of scenic Double Oak Lake as the cannon blast signaling the start of the race stirred up the tranquil setting and sent hundreds of racers on a sweltering hot journey along one of the best trails in the country. The temperatures were in the mid-90’s but with the heat index if felt like 100.

Women’s Crosscounty Race at 11:30am (Saturday June 7th) (All photos courtesy Gary Perkin)

Having skipped the Andorra World Cup, Lene was to be found back on the start line today ahead of the World Championships to be held in Italy in two weeks time. Other notably riders back, having not raced in Andorra were Sabine Spitz and Gunn Rita Dahle.

Lene the Norwegian Champion, battling with Sabine Spitz

Report by Conrad Stoltz:

This puppy has been specially built for me by the engineers at Specialized. (thanks Jason!) To save weight, the BB has been replaced with a large diameter shell to fit the Specialized Carbon road cranks. (Which I’m running 2×9) And most of the paint has been left off. In my opinion, the silver looks a lot faster than the green and brown on the standard bike. (the stock bike weighs in at 28lbs). This one weighs in just below 25lbs (11.3kg) (give or take- will update) vs my 26 inch Carbon Epic 23.7lb. (10.7kg) Nice.

The only tires I have are The Captain (S Works front 580g and Control rear. (a sturdier casing and few more g heavier)) They grip really well in loose and light mud, but looking forward to the release of the Fast Trak LK- which rolls really well.

Kyle in practice 

With Crosscountry over and done with on Saturday it was up to the gravity athletes to entertain us on Sunday. The rain held off and we were presented with a predominantly dry day with the occasional drop of rain.

Practice seemed to go well for Kyle along with his two fellow American’s from the Specialized Decline Team America Cody Warren and Cole Bangert. As you may know qualification to the downhill finals on Sunday afternoon would require a top 80 placing in the semi-final. Kyle got through, but only just placing 77th, while Cody and Cole placed 43rd and 49th respectfully. Kyle was certainly disappointed, but relieved to have qualified.