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The Chris Davidson diary
Chris Davidson is a former mechanic for Bontrager Racing Service, now in the service of Shimano Multi-Service.
Chris' diary entries will show you what life is like inside the pits and an insight into the mind of a mechanic.
NORBA National Series #4 - Mount Snow Resort, Vermont, June 17-20, 2004
No business like Snow business
Day 3 - June 19
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Vermont finally showed the competitors its best face today. The cloud cleared and we saw the sun for the first time since arriving. After a huge kids' race, the pro men and women lined up for an epic XC battle. Post-race, many would describe this as the toughest off-road race they ever done. Early on Ryan Trebon [Kona] charged off the front, only to come up with a flat tire. Chris Sheppard of Haro would flat in the first five minutes and then again later in the race, withdrawing after two laps. The list of DNFs would be long. On the women's side, Willow Keorber charged off the front in the first mile and never looked back.
Sheppard would later come by the tent and lament his bad luck in races. In 10 of the last 11 races, going back to last year, he has had some form of mechanical. He said he saved some energy for the STXC tomorrow.
I picked two Canadians for the top of the podium: Geoff Kabush and Kiara Bisaro. Both turned in fifth place finishes. With that lack of accuracy, I am going to withhold picks for tomorrow, although if I was going to make a call on the men's side, I would go with Sheppard.
I attended the legendary Naked Crit tonight at Mount Snow. It was well attended, well-lit, well-funded and skillfully announced. What it lacked was gender equity. 12 guys and 5 girls. Fun was had and it was all over quickly as the temperatures dropped and the wind picked up.
Sunday brings the STXC and the DH. I am racing expert STXC tomorrow morning and the burden in the Shimano tent has been placed on my shoulders to bring home better than a top 20 finish. Then quickly back to the tent to work on bikes.
All in a days work. Until then, thanks for reading,
CD
Photography
Images by Chris Davidson
- Travis Brown at the start.
- My top men's pick at the start, Geoff Kabush.
- Geoff Kabush's machine at the finish which he rode to fifth place.
- My women's pick at the start, Kiara Bisaro of Gears Racing.
- Kiara Bisaro was fifth-best on the day.
- Dara Marks at the start.
- The men's field at the start line.
- Ryan Trebon leads from the gun.
- The Naked Crit - Actions speak louder than words.
- In the flesh at Mt. Snow.