Sea Otter Classic:

Sea Otter is always a hectic week, but a very productive week for Specialized as a whole. It was really cool to have all the athletes in house for media training, tours and mixing it with the in-house people who make everything happen.

Once again Lene really impressed me at Sea Otter and looked so consistent through Short – Track and XC. Well done! On the men’s XC side excellence breeds excellence ….. The good spirited competitive nature of the lads is certainly raising the bar. Susi looked great on Sunday while all three were on another level in Short Track. I was really happy or Todd to win the overall on US Soil. Another surprise for the books for many, but not me (I have known his capabilities for many years) was XTerra Triathlete Conrad “The Caveman” Stoltz, who finished 8th in the men’s cross-country. One of the strong men of triathlon shows that he can mix it on the bike solely!

Over to gravity …. Mike Sinyard and I chatted for ages while watching each round of the Dual Slalom. A Specialized 1-2 in the shape of Sam Hill and Specialized Team America ride Cody Warren was so cool. Sam looked so sharp in the corners.

Overall we could have wished for a better Sea Otter.

Pietermaritzburg World Cup, South Africa:

How good was it to get the team back together. Joining us have been Burry “The Kid” Stander and Todd “The Character” Wells. These two have brought much humor and tough legs to the team. Monster Energy Specialized in the form of Sam Hill and Brendan Fairclough have joined the program, which sets us up we one of the strongest teams in the MTB arena. It paves the way for what we hope to be a good season.

Burry impressed in South Africa with third on home soil. Lene for me has grown so much as an athlete, since she joined our program in 2007. Her ride and third position in South Africa, despite being on anti-botics was for me, the best race I have ever seen her complete. I am really happy for Lene because she has certainly worked really hard.

Cape Epic, March 2009:

This event has grown from strength to strength and once again Burry and Susi returned to racing as a duo under the Songo.info banner. We all know the story now of Burry’s wheel and although the subsequent sanctions etc. were a little disjointed, we all know who the strongest team in the 2009 Epic were. Team Songo.info won 5 of the stages! Most important though has been the position impact Songo.info had on the Kayamandi Community in Stellenbosch. Under privileged kids know have a BMW Track and 25 MTB’s, which pave the way for a cycling club. For more check out www.songo.info.

Rebecca Rusch and her coach, Mathew also had a great Epic in the mixed division finishing fifth. This sets Reba up perfectly for her defense of the 24 hour World Title in July.

Thoughts in General:

I have written a good bit about the MTB side, but how about triathlon. It’s my background and has been my passion for so many years. Working with Macca, The Caveman, Desiree, TJ and Terenzo is something I relish! I am already sinking my teeth into this. To date Macca has been shaking the water and tarmac, with a course record at Laveman and a win this weekend past at 70.3 China, in what he describes as the toughest conditions he has ever experienced.

Monster Energy Specialized’s visit to the office last week was really cool. I known the legend that is Sam Hill, but getting to know him in person and the humble guy that he is impressed.

Life at Specialized is so cool …. Yes it’s hard work, but when you love it, it’s easy. I have been able to use the totally cool gym, bike at lunchtime and in the mornings ….. I will report more over the coming weeks on life with the Red S Express!