Category: XTERRA.TV
XTERRA USA Champs race report, Ogden Utah. Rather late than never
All pictures by Nils Nilsen
My dad is right- one can count a humans’ age like a tree- by the number of rings it has. My dad says he is at the age where you can count the rings around his knees. One can count the number of USA XTERRA Titles I have won by the number of rings I have when smiling and squinting into the sun… (its 7, if you cant bother to count)
Seriously, check out why my dad will kick your dads ass HERE.
THE XTERRA U.S. PRO SERIES SHOWDOWN…err, THROWDOWN!
XTERRA Utah 08
Saturday I will toe the line for my 7th XTERRA USA Series title. The Series title points to consistency throughout the season. After consistently winning a few races earlier this year, I got a nail through the tire in Idaho, and cut my foot in Richmond. (go here to see those juicy pics again) Those setbacks, (setback seems to be a Caveman consistency in itself) means that the points are closer than I would like. I really dislike this course- its lots of climbing and a little bit of down hilling. 2800ft of down hilling is lost with this point to point race up the site of the 2006 Winter Olympic Super G course.
That said, Ogden is a great town, the people are really welcoming and the scenery is amazing. The trees are turning red and yellow on the mountain slopes. The Utah Sports commission is putting a lot of money into promoting sport and sports events in the state, and they are quickly building a sportsman destination reputation.
I borrowed this piece below from the www.XTERRAplanet.com newsletter. For press info, and pics, say you are a journalist and want to be placed on the mailing list, email Trey Garman. For video on previous XTERRA races, go to www.XTERRA.TV
“It all comes down to this. The 8-stop XTERRA Cup Series for professionals that started in early May wraps up with the ultimate showdown of XTERRA’s best on Saturday, Sept. 26 in Utah. And when we say the best, we mean it as the top 13 ranked men and women are on the start list – the lone exception being fourth-ranked Dan Hugo who just suffered through two weeks of a severe flu and painstakingly decided to stay home in South Africa to build an 8-month-base of training so he could tackle 2010 with a vengeance.
XTERRA West- Las Vegas video
Yes, that is me crashing (only a small one) at 3.00.
Earlier in the race I was quite rattled after losing the chain and bending it. I thought my race was over, but I bent it back (about 90 degrees!) and it worked perfectly. I could see Josiah charging from behind, and with my mind all over the place, I wasnt cornering that well along the “single track” along the lake side. Braked too much and at the corner in question- the last one- in front of some spectators, I was determined not to brake. The soil (no, “dust”) was loose and ridden out and the Fast Trak tire just didnt have enough bite. The Captain would have railed it.
Anyway, hardly lost time, but it throws one off, and creates interesting video…
XTERRA World Champs- XTERRA.TV Highlights
Despite the snow outside, I’m drenched with sweat. No, I’m not riding the stationary trainer in preparatory revenge for XTERRA Worlds 09. I just watched the highlights of this years’ race. I lived the race again. Sitting at the table, adrenaline pumped and my senses were abuzz with racing fever. Go to Xterra.tv for 2008 Worlds highlights. There is no commentry, you dont see me flat, (it will probably show up on the full length TV show) and it looks like I’m off the bike 1st, but I relived the race in Technicolour.
You too can relive (or just “live”) this season’s XTERRAs. Watch the whole season’s XTERRA races from all over the world and most notably Jamie Whitmores’ (she is fighting cancer) XTERRA Warrior Award 2008 on XTERRA.TV
My XTERRA.TV favourite is 1996 Worlds with Jimmy Riccitello, Mike Pig, Ned Overend, Michelle Jones and Mark Allen as commentator.
Photo by Nils Nilsen 2008
