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| 30.06.2009 |
Appends to race/event: 28.06.2009 // Racer Cup Engelberg, CH
10 laps, 32km, 1.42h race time
Second place, 1.06 min behind winner Florian Vogel
Completely flat at the start/finish area, long fire road climb, slippery tricky downhill with roots and rocks back. This is the course description of the todays race. My body "description" before the race was tired, coupled with my head, due to so much training over the last two weeks. Luckily the sun was out and the town of Engelberg is really nice too.
It really took almost half of the race, until I was in race mode, or was it the toughness of all the riding lately, that brought me from a unexciting 9th position up to second? Well, my lap times have been faster than at the beginning too, so it was not only that the others started to rider slower. Finally I was a very happy finisher, and I bet after a week of good recovery I will be fast for the coming Swiss Champs and Euros the week after. I am looking forward to it.
After the race I had a super nice 1hr ride towards home to a lake. Nothing better then to cool off in a clean but cold Swiss lake, next to a coffee shop. I love summer!
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| 21.06.2009 |
Images of my ride from Bormio (Italy) to home. Hope I don't bore you with too many landscape pictures!?
It was a monster ride for all 4 days I have been in the saddle, but great fun, and I got to know a few more corners of Switzerland.
If anyone is interested my route: Bormio-Livigno-St.Moritz-Bergün-Thusis-Glaspass-Tomüllpass-Obersaxen-Disentis-Lukmanier-Pioraebene-Gotthard-Andermatt-Susten-Grosse Scheidegg
                                 
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| 14.06.2009 |
Appends to race/event: 14.06.2009 // Italian Cup Vermiglio, ITA
7 laps, 2.06hrs race time,
First place, in a hectic sprint finish against Fontana and Pallhuber
The course was ether flat or super steep. As you can imagine, it was pretty tactical, and only the one longer super steep was selective. Now, not that you think this race was easy! All the time from standby to full on, that is what makes our live hard.
On the last lap it all came down to Pallhuber Fontana and myself. After the longer steep climb I knew we will battle in a sprint finish, and I did not even think to attack before. All the energy for the last tight left corner, that was my tactic.
Riding in third position I set my goal when to start to sprint ahead. Passing those guy's was one thing on that super fast downhill pave road, but now taking the left hander into the field! I took the perfect line before, Fontana tried to strike inside, but it was too late and he crashed out.
Puhh that was tight, and I love winning in such a adrenaline finish.
Now I am in Bormio, and I will ride my Stumpjumper back home. I don't really know how long it will take. Might be back home on Thursday.
 
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| 06.06.2009 |
Appends to race/event: 03.06.2009 // Stairs of Prague, CZ
about 18laps, 1h race time, 6th. Place
I have raced here 3 years ago, so this time I knew what to expect. In this one hour of racing we gain more than 1'000 altitude meter! The uphill is super steep on cobble stones, and all the altitude gain is quickly "killed" going down the bumpy stairs. Man you have to be confident in your equipment! Even with my full suspension Epic I am feeling like on a roller coaster with turbulence! But the lactic acid turbulence in my legs was definitely more painful during that one hour of racing!
By the way the race was once again superbly organized, with heaps of spectators, and a stunning venue in the old city of Prague! A big thanks to the organizer for the super host!
       
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| 02.06.2009 |
Yesterdays ride in the Wallis region
    
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| 01.06.2009 |
Having a great weekend off racing. Doing "backpack" rides at home and in the southern alps.
It almost feels strange to be at home for almost all summer long! The overseas world cups are not on until late July. Like this I can take it seriously easy at the moment, and saving all the good energy for the end of the season. Or probably better, I have to use that energy for building fitness again.
I am still racing here and there though. For example this Wednesday I am taking part of a 1h race in the old city of Prague. Steep climbing up, and super rough descending down stairs.
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| 25.05.2009 |
Appends to race/event: 24.05.2009 // World Cup Madrid. SP
Picture time! Taken by Gary "Flipper" Perkin
       
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| 24.05.2009 |
Appends to race/event: 24.05.2009 // World Cup Madrid. SP
(By Bobby Behan)
Madrid is a super fast course, with no let up in the pace. From the gun the pace was high, with a group at the front, which included Burry early on, while Naef, like Lene in the women’s race was off the front on a solo mission. Susi had a bad start and was found lingering in about 28th position, with Todd, who started in the forties, moving up to 22nd early on, which was very positive.
Before the race even started we, the team, all knew Susi was plagued with a cold and some flu like symptoms early in the week. At this level of racing, one’s body needs to be in tiptop shape to mix things at the front and we weren’t sure how Susi would handle himself. As always, Susi would give it 100%.
As Naef was carving a healthy lead, the main group seemed to be looking at one another, almost resulting in both Susi and Todd’s groups who were now together, catching this group. The “almost” was due to a massive attack by Absalon, who then worked with Naef to distance themselves from the field as the racing progressed.
The second group was a strange affair once Absalon and Naef were away. Sometimes the pace was relentless and at other times it was pedestrian. At each of these pedestrian times, it meant that Susi and Todd’s group almost merged with the main group. Burry, ranked three in the rankings also had a race within a race going on. Number two ranked rider Kurschat was found a good bit off the pace, meaning Burry had the possibility to close the points back. The too’ing and fro’ing in the main pack resulted in Kurshat getting back into the race.
As the final lap loomed, there were two races going on: the race for first between Absalon and Naef and the race for third position. Naef attacked Absalon and looked like he was going to take the victory as he slowly built up a lead, but on that final lap Absalon pushed his legs into overdrive mode, as we have seen many times before, caught a fading Naef and went on to win by over a minute. I have yet to see the French being beaten on this course. He was very impressive today.
The fight for third was tough to predict. Many riders were in the mix, including Todd who on his S Works 29er, at one point was inside the top ten. Susi despite being ill also looked like he could do something. Burry said “he did not have the legs today”. Every time the pace was pushed you could see that Burry was on the limit, but “The Kid” did very well and always managed to maintain contact. Milatz took the fight for third, while Burry fought really hard in the last kilometer to put as many points into Kurschat as possible, who ended up finishing 12th.
Todd was pleased with his performance, Burry obviously happy it’s over given his heavy feeling today, while Susi is going to be a very dangerous force for the remainder of the season, given a start, which has not been to the World Champions usual standards.
Mens Results:
1 ABSALON Julien 1:44:32
2 NAEF Ralph +01:06
3 MILATZ Moritz +01:59
4 FONTANA Marco Aurelio +02:00
5 SCHURTER Nino +02:02
6 PERAUD Jean-Christophe +02:02
7 STANDER Burry * +02:16
8 LEJARRETA ERRASTI Inaki +02:16
9 FUMIC Manuel +02:17
10 PAULISSEN Roel +02:18
11 SAUSER Christoph +02:18
16 WELLS Todd +03:09
Men’s Overall World Cup Rankings:
1 ABSALON Julien 950 Points
2 KURSCHAT Wolfram 625 Points
3 STANDER Burry * 580 Points
4 PERAUD Jean-Christophe 550 Points
5 NAEF Ralph 500 Points
6 HERMIDA RAMOS José Antonio 460 Points
7 SCHURTER Nino 445 Points
8 PAULISSEN Roel 410 Points
9 MILATZ Moritz 376 Points
10 FONTANA Marco Aurelio 370 Points
11 SAUSER Christoph 330 Points
36 WELLS Todd 134 Points
Christoph’s Bike:
Frame: Specialized FACT S-Works Epic
Tyre: Front – S-Works Fast Trak SLK 2.00
Rear – S-Works Fast Trak SLK 2.00
Pressure: 28 psi front and rear
Fork: 75psi
Rear shock: 165psi
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| 21.05.2009 |
I am on my way to Madrid for world cup nr.4.
In each of my pockets I am equipped with old school cotton handkerchiefs. One for my cold, the other for my spring allergies. Also I don't wanna forget to buy some eye drops at the airport. My last year ones I cant find them any more. They really work wonder. At the moment as soon as I go out of the door I am looking like a crying baby!
Hopefully the cold is nothing serious, and I will be full power charged by Sunday again. I skipped my riding session yesterday, and feeling already better toady.
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| 19.05.2009 |
Appends to race/event: 17.05.2009 // Cham-Hagendorn, CH
160km and 17laps
I finished around eight or ninth on this beautiful hot Sunday, where I rather been out on a longer easy mtb ride.
During my drive to the race I have seen so many bikers with backpacks having fun. This was not good for my motivation... Luckily mid into my road race I got into the race spirit and started to feel super strong.
This national race was very good preparation for the next upcoming world cup in Madrid which is a super fast course.
Otherwise I have been busy whole last week, with Specialized people and journalist who visited my home town. I took them for riding, mountain restaurants, and more eating and drinking in the evenings. It was good company!
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