Category: News & Events
Jan Frodeno in Beijing 2008
Lastly, congratulations to Jan Frodeno for winning the Gold in the Olympic Triathlon. What an amazing race. His played a perfect poker game and surely was unbeatable in the sprint. I saw Jan grow up in South Africa. (his folks live in Llundudno outside of Cape Town) He used to be more interested in surfing than triathlon, but the last few years he really improved as he is obviously very very talented. Last November I bumped into Jan in Stellenbosch- he was on his way to swim practice (I was in the middle of my 3 month holiday) and I asked him what he was training for in November. Jan said in a fake German accent: “For zie Oelympics” Well there you have it. Tons of talent, huge work ethic and fierce self belief. Good stuff bru.
I’m also very happy for long time friends (and previous medalists) Simon Whitfield and Bevan Docherty for their medals. Old men Rock! Simon was perfect tactically (for the amount of tiger he had in the tank) and Bevan is a beast all around. He raced XTERRA Worlds last year. Great people. I’m happy with the mens podium and wished i was there. Its not my game or passion anymore- I had my innings.
Missing my mom and the SA team out there
Getting ready for XTERRA Mountain champs and FLY FISHING THE GREEN RIVER!
This race is really important because in order to keep me in the running for my 6th XTERRA USA Series title, I need to have a strong race. I arrived in Ogden on Tuesday night to get ready for the race. Wednesday was a hard “training day”, flew with a small plane flight to the Green River in Wyoming for a day of fishing. Yesterday I did some actual training and checked out a section of the bike course which had changed from the prior two years. Less climbing and more rocky singletrack.
You can find the complete start list on xterraplanet.com
Green river Brown trout caught on a ‘Hopper. (Fish- talk for imitation grasshopper)
Staying at Roche Hotel and meeting owner & cycling legend- Stephen Roche
Nicolas Roche, Stephen Roche, and 1x Caveman at the Roche Marina Hotel restaurant on the Mediterranean.
In 1987 I was 13 years old my mom offered me half a road bike for my birthday. I had to come up with the other R400 (USD 50) I immediately became consumed by road cycling and it became a life long passion of mine.
XTERRA Czech posters…
What a pleasant surprise when I got to Hluboka and saw XTERRA Czech posters everywhere…
News of our travels and experiences…
Go to the amazingly well updated AmberMonforte.com
The reasons why Amber beats me a blogging:
– She blogs with iMac, which allows you to write a blog while off line, and then just hitting “post” when there is internet.
– She types much much faster.
– She has way less admin. Sponsors, fan mail etc
– I’m the bike mechanic. (After Wales, there is A LOT of work to be done, believe me)
– Maybe she is just less “slap gat”. There is the Afrikaans riddle of the day…
– Maybe she is just the best at blogging!
We are currently in Czech Republic, getting ready for Sunday’s XTERRA Czech race.
