The time has, as always with life at Specialized, been flying by, largely due to very interesting, varied yet challenging days. Life is good though! First up was the first round of the ITU World Championship Series in Sydney. I met our athletes and was big time impressed with the event and the job the International Triathlon Union (ITU) are doing.

It hit home in Sydney! The true realization of how cool being there was! He might be the Olympic Triathlon Champion, but to me he is still Jan. We are always giving one another s**t, but in a fun way! So having breakfast with both Jan and Simon Whitfield was really cool – what legends and what down to earth lads. I’ve so much respect for both. Just when I thought meeting these two Olympic Gold Medalist was unreal, I met and had a good chat with one of the world’s greatest ever track and field athletes, Dr Edwin Moses. What a legend. Edwin as chairman of The Laureus Foundation is working positively with the ITU on charitable projects.

Barbara Riveros is one of the most bubbly, positive people one can ever meet. She’s got this amazingly great feel good factor amount her. I can’t explain it, but she’s so appreciative, kind and thankful. I respect her so much. Admittedly it took two laps on the run for me to realize it was Barbara who was turning the screws at the front. Her victory was well deserved – who ever said that countries without major funding and infrastructures cannot produce champions!

Life at Specialized HQ is foot to the floor in 7th gear (if it’s an M5 you’re in!!!) all the time, but great all the same. My new S Works Tarmac SL3 arrived, which meant some good lunch rides, I’ve been using the gym a lot, in keeping up with Naudee’s prescribed program! I will lay down the gauntlet, when I eventually get home to Stellenbosch, at least that’s the plan.

Straight after Sydney and it was right into the Sea Otter Classic. That week was busy. We had huge success across all disciplines and the team seemed to have a great time. It was good getting most of the XC, DH and Free-riders under one roof. It’s not often we can get everybody together.

The Icelandic Volcano caused some head scratching! How do we get the team over to World Cup Number 1 in England one week later. The team boarded the first available flight out from San Francisco. I decided that another continent in another week was too much, so cancelled my trip to England. The team had to drive from Frankfurt to England, due to their connecting flight being cancelled – not an easy trip. I know the team won’t be 100% happy after England as a whole, but it’s early days. Burry trading blows with Julien and Nino at the front was special. I would love to have been there to see it myself.

So without an English trip on, this past weekend I caught up on emails and admin because this week was always going to be hectic. Coming up this weekend are two of triathlon’s mystical events, Wildflower on Saturday and Escape From Alcatraz on Sunday. All of our long course triathlon team are taking part. I head down to Wildflower tomorrow, Thursday and am really looking forward to the weekend ahead. It's up to Alcatraz on Saturday evening - rock on!