Caveman wins XTERRA Buffelspoort 2012 despite a broken zipper.

Stoked to kick the season off with a win. The Festive Season on the farm is over, so is the twice weekly splash in the dam, but the never ending honeymoon is full steam ahead.

Even though its the start of the season, I’m happy with a solid performance – set up by a reasonable swim. I’m busy fixing my swim stroke (again) and just started real THRICE weekly swim training- tailor made by Mikael Mendonca.

The bike leg was quite eventful early on- about 10 minutes in I was pumping it, and there was no one in the rear view mirror. I then came upon a closed gate as the road forked. The arrow pointed towards the gate, but in my disbelief I went the other way. It was a 6ft game fence with bladed wire rolls on top. How can the route go there?! But I knew it saw the right way, and turned around, opened the gate, just as the 2nd guy and Dan rolled up.  5 Min down the road there was another closed gate- this one had a lock on it. I got off the bike and started to look for a place to throw my bike over. Was still pondering the consequences of climbing a bladed wire fence in white Lycra. (and how 500 other guys in Lycra would fare) I took a last look at the lock- the shackle was not clicked in. A loud “BLIKSEM” helped it open quicker – a minute gone – I hopped on, just in time to have Dan and Theo velcro onto my wheel. Ah, a pretty swim wasted. I had to rebuild a new lead, and got off with a 2 min 30 gap.

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Caveman and Lance Armstrong at XTERRA USA Champs

Here is some really cool footage of Lance and I duking it out up the 1st long climb at XTERRA USA Champs in Ogden Utah. The buzz  Armstrongs’ participation at XTERRA created was amazing, and never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined trading punches with the 7x Tour winner up n climb on knobbly tired bikes. Even though Nico, Dan and Josiah (and the altitude!) worked me over, I’ll show the kids this video footage some day and say: “Your daddy used to be GOOD”.

Watch this video on www.cyclingdirt.org.

Thanks a lot to the good folks at Cyclingdirt.org for making me look good…

Part of the reason I havent been blogging lately is the fact that my WordPress is too outdated to upload video.

2012 Specialized Sworks Epic 29er with Fast Trak 2.2 tires and 1x on form Caveman – ready for 5th XTERRA Worlds title

Here is an interview with Triathlon Competitor about Sunday’s (23 Oct) upcoming XTERRA Worlds.

XTERRA USA Champs 2010.  1st race on my beloved Specialized Sworks Epic 29er. Knocked the bike leg out of the park.

Due to lack of time, I’m cutting and pasting Trey Garman from XTERRA’s pre race report:

To follow the event live, follow my twitter feed: @conradstoltz  

This is for sure the most exciting Pro field we’ve ever had, and I’m really looking forward to racing Lance Armstrong. This climbing extravaganza provides a nice comfy introduction to XTERRA. Apparently he’s a fast swimmer, so for once on the run I may be chaser and not the chasee…  Whichever way- its gonna hurt!

BEEHIVE STATE BUZZING WITH EXCITEMENT

Can Lance run? Will DeBoom stay close enough on the bike? Is there enough technical riding and running to bring out the best in the Caveman? Could this be the race that makes Josiah a household name? Perhaps the Frenchman will peak at just the right time? Maybe Seth will have the magic day?  Or is this the race Hugo busts out of the shadow of his mentor and becomes the champion?

Thank goodness races aren’t decided on paper, as the questions on “who can do what” at this year’s XTERRA USA Championship are simply too difficult to answer.  One thing is for certain, a pair of 40-year-old XTERRA rookies, Lance Armstrong and Tim DeBoom, ignited a firestorm of interest into what was already off-triathlon’s national treasure.

The other wildcard is a brand new 7+ mile Sardine Peak Trail that extends the mountain bike course to one of the Wasatch Range’s most visible peaks at 7,300-feet.  The 360-degree views that span from east to west are nothing short of breathtaking.

Combine more than 1,000 of the world’s best athletes with one of the nation’s best courses, perfect weather, and a community brimming with excitement and support and you have all the right ingredients for an intense showdown at Snowbasin Resort near Ogden, Utah.  Yet, intense isn’t the right descriptor – fun is.

“More than a decade ago I saw a picture of Steve Larsen running his bike through a creek in Richmond, Virginia and said ‘wow’, that looks like fun, so I applied my fitness to XTERRA and I really enjoy it,” said defending USA Champ Conrad “the Caveman” Stoltz (pictured above), who is shooting for XTERRA U.S. Pro Series title No. 9 on Saturday.  “I think that’s the same thing that draws Lance Armstrong here.  I presume he’s coming here to have fun and enjoy.”

It’s most certainly the reason Tim DeBoom is here.  “Oh yeah, the fun factor, and you know it’s for real when you see a guy like Conrad stick around the sport for 10 years,” said the two-time Ironman World Champ who is making his XTERRA debut on Saturday.

Indeed, the overwhelming majority of the men’s pro field have been in the mix for years, and it may be that experience – the time put in on racing against each other and at high speeds and on this mountain – that will make all the difference. The humble and soft spoken Josiah Middaugh (pictured), a true mountain man of all season and the six-time XTERRA National Champ, is certainly hoping so.

THE WOMEN’S RACE HAS DRAMA TOO

On the surface it seems that this is Melanie McQuaid’s race.   She’s won here the last three years, is in great shape, confident and determined.

Lesley Paterson, however, has progression on her side.  She was fourth here in Utah in 2008, third in ’09, and second last year.

“It suits me no doubt, lots of climbing, not too technical, and I race well at altitude,” said the fiery Scottish triathlete (pictured), who is also a film producer and writer.  “This is my year to win it maybe, who knows!”

Perhaps, but what if a miracle happens, and the reigning XTERRA World Champ Shonny Vanlandingham is able to overcame the aches and pains associated with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee?

“I tore my ACL five weeks ago, 90% off the femur,” said Vanlandingham, who has a custom brace that will do its best to keep her from further injuring the knee.  “I really just want to finish the race, and don’t have the same expectations of winning as I did five weeks ago but I I’m an athlete, I love to compete, and I am a woman of faith.  And, I do believe in miracles so it’s not totally out of my mind that I could win this race.  I do believe it’s possible.”

Vanlandingham has surgery scheduled on Oct. 7, so she won’t be able to race the XTERRA World Championship in Maui, but she will attend to support her fellow athletes and the sport.

While those are the premier three in the women’s race, the field is stacked and deep.  Watch out for Kelley Cullen – a mountain biker with mountain credentials – and Sara Tarkington, who is another great climber.  Emma Garrard from nearby Park City has had a great season, as has Canadians Danelle Kabush and Christine Jeffrey, who will lead them all out of the water.

Everywhere you turn there is a pro contender here in Utah, and they are all wearing smiles and having fun.  Only two, however, can ultimately walk away with the biggest grin – and the title of XTERRA USA Champion.  Who will they be?

SOME OF THE WEEKEND STORY LINES

While Lance Armstrong and the pro races are grabbing the majority of the headlines this week, there are literally hundreds of amazing stories to tell from this year’s field.  Here’s just a couple..
 – XTERRA great Jamie Whitmore makes a heroic return from cancer, and will compete in Saturday’s XTERRA Utah short course race. When Whitmore won the 2007 XTERRA USA Championship for the fifth time in her career it marked her 37th championship win.  At the time, it looked like 50, even 100 wins wouldn’t be out of the question. Then came cancer, and her focus turned from winning races to fighting for her life.  Thank goodness “J-Dawg” is as tough as they come and she not only survived, but thrived.  Whitmore now fills her days exercising, playing with her adorable twin boys – Ryder and Christian – and coaching others how to excel in their own careers.  While her days as an elite may have come to an end, her life as an athlete never will.  In fact, Whitmore’s athletic career got a new bill of health this year in the form of a brace that will allow her to ride her bike again.

“I have no glute, no hamstring, no calf and cannot move or feel my foot at all.  The only thing functioning on my left leg is my quad,” explained Whitmore.  “So this brace I’m going to get is really exciting stuff.  It’s the same brace Craig Vogtsberger uses when he races, and should be stiff enough for me to start riding the bike and not have my foot flop while I pedal. I am also having custom orthotics made to help with stability.”

– There are a trio of young deaf competitors – John Klish , Taylor Seavey, and Jessica D’Amato – who are competing at the highest level in the USA Championship race.  Klish is one of the favorites in the overall amateur race and Seavey is one of the sports brightest young stars.  Led by Klish, this trio has an ambitious plan to start an organization designed to increase deaf participation in events that will ultimately lead to a better quality of life for deaf individuals.
– “One-arm” Willie Stewart returns to XTERRA.  Steward dominated the challenged athletes division at XTERRA for years, and now brings his contagious smile and sense of humor – along with tha
t super cool prosthetic arm that allows him to ride a bike – to Utah.  Other challenged athletes are also on the start list, including legally blind racer Michael Stone who returns to defend his title with the help of his friend and guide Jared Berg.  Craig Vogtsberger, who won the 2009 Physically Challenged XTERRA USA title, is also back (see story in today’s Deseret News).

XTERRA NATIONALS QUICK FACTS
WHO: More than 1,300 athletes from 40 states and 10 countries ages 13-to-80.
WHAT: The XTERRA USA Championship triathlon and XTERRA Utah short and long course tri’s are on Saturday, plus kids races, clinics, and Ogden’s annual Harvest Moon Festival, and the XTERRA Trail Run National Championship half-marathon and 5k, 10k fun runs are on Sunday.
WHEN: Friday-Sunday, September 23-25, 2011
The XTERRA Expo is from 12 noon to 6pm on Friday
The XTERRA USA Championship race starts at 9am Saturday
The XTERRA Trail Run Nationals race starts at 9am Sunday
WHERE: Ogden on Friday and Snowbasin Resort on Sat/Sun
WHY: Both the XTERRA Tri and Trail Run National Championship races are the culmination of 70-race nationwide series, that end with a best-of-the-best showdown in Utah.
TV: XTERRA TV is producing an hour-long, nationally broadcast television show on the USA Championship, highlighting Northern Utah as a mecca for outdoor adventure recreation.
WEBSITE: www.XTERRAUtah.com
LAST YEAR’S HIGHLIGHT VIDEO: www.XTERRA.tv
2011 XTERRA NATIONALS PRESS GUIDE

View and/or download a PDF of the XTERRA Nationals Guide complete with racer profiles, course descriptions and maps, schedule of events, past USA results, and more.
2011 XTERRA USA CHAMPIONSHIP PRO START LIST
Here’s the pro start list, complete with the bib number they’ll be wearing on Saturday.  Have a look at the key below that explains how they got their number…
2011 Rank – Name – Age, Hometown
1 – Conrad Stoltz – 37, Stellenbosch, South Africa
2 – Josiah Middaugh – 32, Vail, Colorado
3 – Nicolas Lebrun -38, Digne, France
4 – Branden Rakita – 30, Manitou Springs, Colorado
5 – Seth Wealing – 32, Boulder, Colorado
6 – Craig Evans – 33, Hendersonville, Tennessee
7 – Cody Waite – 32, Lakewood, Colorado
8 – Dan Hugo – 25, Stellenbosch, South Africa
10 – Jason Michalak – 33, Lakewood, Colorado
11 – Adam Wirth – 33, Boise, Idaho
12 – Brad Zoller – 33, Avon, Colorado
13 – Patrick Valentine – 25, Colorado Springs, Colorado
15 – Matt Boobar – 38, Stratton Mountain, Vermont
18 – Will Ross – 22, Anchorage, Alaska
24 – Jimmy Archer – Boulder, Colorado
25 – Will Kelsay – 29, Boulder, Colorado
30 – Ben Allen – 26, North Wollongong, Australia
31 - Lance Armstrong – 40, Austin, Texas
32 – Tim DeBoom – 40, Boulder, Colorado
33 - Chris Ganter – 32, Boise, Idaho
34 – David Henestrosa – 34, Manresa, Spain
35 – Michael Hiscott – 28, London, England
36 – Lewellyn Holmes -29, Bristol, England
37 – Greg Gibson – 31, Salt Lake City, Utah

2011 Rank – Name – Age, Hometown
61 – Melanie McQuaid – 38, Victoria, B.C., Canada
62 – Shonny Vanlandingham – 41, Durango, Colorado
63 – Christine Jeffrey – 38, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
64 – Emma Garrard – 30, Park City, Utah
65 – Suzie Snyder – 29, Fredericksburg, Virginia
66 – Jessica Noyola – 29, San Diego, California
67 – Caroline Colonna – 46, Taos, New Mexico
68 – Tracy Thelen – 31, Colorado Springs, Colorado
70 – Kelley Cullen – 30, New Castle, Colorado
71 – Lesley Paterson – 30, San Diego, California (Scotland)
72 – Sara Tarkington – 30, Boulder, Colorado
73 – Danelle Kabush – 36, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
74 – Luisa Bryce – 29, Denver, Colorado
75 – Jaime Brede – 33, Breckenridge, Colorado
77 – Kim Baugh – 31, Colorado Springs, Colorado
80 - Mical Dyck – 29, Victoria, B.C., Canada
81 – Tammy Jacques – 45, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
82 – Carina Wasle – 26, Kundl, Austria

– Numbers 1-25 represent men’s exact position in 2011 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series standings
– Numbers 30-up represent non-ranked pro men in alphabetical order, then late additions
– Numbers 61-77 represents women’s exact position (those ranked 1-17) in 2011 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series standings
– Numbers 80-up represent non-ranked pro men in alphabetical order, then late additions

2011 XTERRA NATIONALS VIDEO LINKS

Here what some of the top contenders are saying before the race, see some of the images from around the course, and be sure to have a look at the footage Conrad Stoltz captured with his GoPro camera mounted to his handlebars on the bike course this week…
2010 XTERRA USA Championship Show
Conrad Stoltz clips from the course, Part I (scenics)
Conrad Stoltz clips from the course, Part II (downhill)
Conrad Stoltz Pre-Race Interview
Shonny Vanlandingham Pre-Race Interview
Tim DeBoom Pre-Race Interview
Lesley Paterson Pre-Race Interview
Cindi Toepel Pre-Race Interview
Christine Jeffrey Pre-Race Interview
Pictures from the course

XTERRA USA PRIZE MONEY BREAKDOWN
The 2011 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series distributed $143,000 in prize money: $10,500 at each regional, $20,000 at the USA Championship, and $60,000 to the top overall points scorers in the Series. Here’s how Saturday’s payout breaks down to the top performers in the Series:

XTERRA U.S. Pro Series
Pro Purse ($60,000)    
Rank    Men    Women
1st    $10,000    $10,000
2nd    $6,000    $6,000
3rd    $3,500    $3,500
4th    $2,500    $2,500
5th    $2,000    $2,000
6th    $1,500    $1,500
7th    $1,200    $1,200
8th    $1,000    $1,000
9th    $800    $800
10th    $600    $600
11th    $400    $400
12th    $300    $300
13th    $200    $200
And for just the XTERRA USA Championship race:
XTERRA USA Championship
Pro Purse ($20,000)   
Rank    Men    Women
1st    $2,500    $2,500
2nd    $2,000    $2,000
3rd    $1,500    $1,500
4th    $1,200    $1,200
5th    $900    $900
6th    $700    $700
7th    $500    $500
8th    $350    $350
9th    $200    $200
10th    $150    $150

XTERRA USA TRIATHLON COMPETITOR STATISTICS
The XTERRA USA Championship triathlon is truly a national, even international, affair with just 5% of the field hailing from the home state of Utah.  Here’s a look at the stats…
Countries Represented: 10; Austria, Australia, Canada, France, Scotland/GBR, South Africa, Germany, Spain, Mexico, USA.
U.S. States Represented: 40
Oldest Man: Nathaniel Grew – South Woodstock, VT, 74
Oldest Woman: Libby Harrow – Vero Beach, FL, 60
Youngest Man: Nielsen Powless – Roseville, CA, 15
Youngest Woman: Erin Quinn – Littleton, CO, 15
XTERRA USA CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE STATS
Swim course distance: 1,500-meters (0.93 miles) Combines two 750-meter laps (no run in-between)
Elevation at Port Ramp Marina for swim start:  4,900-feet
Water temperature:
67.4 on Wednesday
Mountain bike course distance: 28-kilometers (17.7 miles)
Total climbing on bike: 3,400-feet
Elevation at highest point: 7,300-feet (where Sardine Peak Trail meets the ridgeline)
Elevation at T2/Snowbasin Resort Lodge: 6,400-feet
Trail Run course distance: 9.65-kilometers (6.0 miles)
Total climbing on run: 885-feet
Total climbing on course: 4,285-feet
HOW TO WATCH THE XTERRA USA CHAMPIONSHIP
Spectators should drive to Port Ramp Marina at Pineview Reservoir for the swim start th at 9am (there is plenty of parking) then head up to Snowbasin Resort for the finish. When leaving Pineview, the fastest route to avoid the slow down at the spillway (dam) will be to take a right turn out of the parking lot and go around the reservoir through Huntsville to the main highway (Trappers Loop) to Snowbasin.  At Snowbasin Resort spectators will be able to see the bike-to-run transition, finish line, and listen to live race updates from the announcers.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
There has been an incredible amount of terrific media coverage in advance of this weekend’s XTERRA Nationals in Utah.  Here are links to a few of the stories, just in case you missed it…
Runner’s World Daily Digest – Max King Wanted Poster
Salt Lake Tribune Preview
Sports Illustrated Preview (AP)
ESPN – Armstrong to compete in XTERRA (AP)
15-year-old local boy McKay Hunt story
Deseret News – Craig Vogtsberger (pictured) overcomes all odds

The Caveman on Armstrong
Triathletes, Trail Runners head to Ogden/Snowbasin
The King to defend his Crown
UPCOMING XTERRA RACES
Sept. 24 – XTERRA Utah Off-Road Tris (Ogden/Snowbasin, UT)
Sept. 24 – XTERRA Harbins Park 10k Trail Run (Dacula, GA)
Sept. 24 – XTERRA Nationals Tri (Ogden/Snowbasin, UT)
Sept. 25 – XTERRA Nationals Trail Run (Ogden/Snowbasin, UT)
Oct. 22 – XTERRA Kapalua 5k/10k Trail Runs (Kapalua, Maui)
Oct. 23 – XTERRA World Championship (Kapalua, Maui)
XTERRA.TV – 24/7 WEB TV NETWORK
Check out XTERRA.TV to watch a wide variety of XTERRA programming right now.  Available content, which is updated weekly, features everything from the Maui show to adventures in Utah.  To see the XTERRA broadcast schedule listing shows that are on in your hometown check out our network TV Schedule
.

Lance choppered onto stage, stayed 41 minutes and 23 seconds before Range Rovering out, President Zuma style in a motorcade.

While on stage, he dazzled us with his whit and amazing speaking skill. He chatted with the iconic Phil Liggett and his new South African Team Radio Shack team mate, Daryl Impey.

The day before there was a funds raising group ride along the ocean from Cape Town to Hermanus. Too bad it rained all the way – probably one of the most scenic rides in the world. R175 000 ($23k) got you in. Word from the bunch is, Phil Liggett gave Lance “the look.”

Off course, Lance spoke about the Livestrong Foundation (I think they have raised $360 million for cancer so far) and about how to beat Contador. “The best climber in the world, and a great time trailist”

I cant remember the words he used, (like I said, he is a magician with words, PR and business) but basically he said “We will take him to the cleaners (excuse the pun) on tactics and race smarts.” Lance then referred to stage 3 which is basically a mini Paris Roubaix with lots of cobbles.

This weekend however, by the sounds of it, their (Daryl and Lance’s) plan on winning the worlds biggest fun ride, (The Cape Argus cycle tour), is: Either Lance rides everyone off up Chapman’s Peak or “the bossy hill – I have enough bossy people to remember that name” – LA (Suikerbossie), or Daryl Impey will win the line sprint with Lance as lead out man.

The Lance quote I took home was: “The key to improving your riding is: Lose weight, or buy a lighter bike.” Since I already ride the lightest Specialized available, I guess its back to the drawing board and empty out the cupboard. (Thats a joke)

Well, Lance was in such a hurry to Zuma off again, he completely missed out on his book signing and photo opportunity with me.

So Lance, my next appearance is at The Basic coffee shop in Stellenbosch on Tuesday at about 7.30. You can pick up your signed book there, and I’ll even throw in a personalized Specialized poster.

Damn, cant wait for Speedos to make a come back. They are so functional.

A big thanks to the JAG foundation for the invites and chapeau for the amazing work you do with Songo.info.

 Rich Cruse has been shooting XTERRA since my 1st intro to dirty triathlon in 2001. Since then we have become great friends, and we have done a lot of “work” together.

Our working relationship:

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