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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 NCS Series #1, Waco, TX, USA, March 11-14, 2004
Day 2 - Friday, March 12: Puttin' the 'pro' back in professional racing
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Day two started under the threat of rain, but the weather would hold off until after the pro men and women had completed their time trial. The big guns flexed their muscles today in the first real domestic event to see all the big teams in attendance. The TT was short - around four miles - and included some of the really tight single-track. On the men's side, "Mr. Short-Track", Seamus McGrath of Haro, turned the fastest time, in a field that included Roland Green, Ryder Hesjedal and Todd Wells. On the women's side, former world champ Alison Sydor turned a scorching time to best Kiara Bisaro and Alison Dunlap. The new for 2004 prizemoney, $500, went to the winners in each field, putting the 'pro' back in professional racing here in the US. As mentioned yesterday, old faces in new clothing for 2004.
More talk in the tent today about how narrow the course is. A number of the pro men are really concerned about the lack of available space to pass on the track. Is really going to be a drag race to the single-track and very few positions will change place after that. Most riders are running a 34 tooth cassette in the rear due to the short steep climbs on the course. Some of the women pros had me check the shifting today to ensure their front deraillers would get down in to the small ring; they fear that it might be necessary during the race.
We had a visit today in the tent from ex-GT and Motorola pro Greg Randolph. "Chopper" is one of the more unique and hilarious guys around, and this year he is hitting all the NORBA stops, working for Smith eyewear. Tonight at dinner he told stories of traveling to Denmark and Germany in his younger years - this is one of the funniest guys to every have raced bikes.
Rain is the forecast again for tomorrow; if we get more than the light dose we got today, then the riders will be doing a good deal of walking on some of the steep climbs. The race will really be a different affair in the wet. Short track XC tomorrow with two passes through the tech area each lap. Sunday is the big 'E1' XC race. This Olympic year, UCI points are much more valuable than cash; the combination of upgrades in points and prizes has done a good deal to increase the pro turnout.
More tomorrow, thanks for reading.
CD