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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 #7 - Snowmass, Colorado, August 5-8, 2004
Day 3: XC greats of all ages
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There was a ton of things that went on today at the race course. Although it is 10:30pm, it fells like was about an hour ago that I woke up. The day went that fast.
First up this morning was a visit in the tent from Trek team manager Tyler Pilger. He was riding the new Fuel 100 bike built with the 110gsm carbon material. This is the same material that Trek makes the super light 5900 road frame out of. The new team frames built with this material are half to three-quarters of a pound lighter than last year. The frames are easily recognizable with their bright blue aluminum lugs. Tyler's bike was also sporting some new prototype IRC tires. The tires were tubeless, but had super thin sidewalls and ran Stan's No Tubes inside. Cool looking rig, look for it under XC series leader Travis Brown.
The XC races today brought out some awesome performances. First off, I have to give my congrats to Todd Wells. Today he won his first ever NORBA XC race, with an amazing display of climbing. I have to say that I read the guy's website, and yes, he can't spell, but he is arguably America's best dirt rider. Full props Mr. Wells, the ride today was very impressive. The form looks good for the Olympics.
If Wells had the ride of the day, then Geoff Kabush (Maxxis) had the lap of the day. Geoff broke a chain on the first lap and came through the start/finish in about 25th place. At the end of lap two he had moved up to 3rd place. Without the mechanical, he would have been pushing Wells. Kudos Kabush.
Last ride of note in the XC was that of 48 year old, former world champion Ned Overend. Ned lined up with boys half his age for the pro XC this afternoon and turned in a top 20 finish. This guy may be the greatest mountain biker ever. Today he showed that at 48, his abilities are still amazing. I am glad I was here today to witness his ride.
The starts of the XC races are looking like the start grid at a MotoGP race with all those umbrellas. What is up with that?
How cool is Brian Lopes? Do you have your own model of rims? Lopes does. This guy is all skill. Today he was in the Shimano tent looking for a weekly crit in California to polish his fitness before World's. This guy can kill all on a road bike too.
Look out tomorrow. After I highlighted 125 pound Billy Holmes' (Intense) podium spot in Super D at Mount Snow, more and more XC pros are now riding Super D. Tomorrow the Kona XC boys, Adam Craig (Giant) and Ariel Lindsey (Maverick) are suiting up for this new discipline. Check out this photo of Barry Wicks (Kona) gearing up with some goggles for some Super D practice. Scary.
Super D tomorrow early, then STXC and DH. I rode the DH course this evening on my XC bike and the track is smooth and fast. The speeds will be high and the margin for error will be small tomorrow for the DH winner. It should be fun. See you tomorrow.
Thanks for reading,
CD
Photography
Images by Chris Davidson
- IRC prototype tires on Tyler Pilger’s Trek - a new super light tubeless.
- IRC prototype tubeless
- Dara Marks-Marino (Ford) was in 4th place before a cut tire ended her day
- Brian Lopes looking for training challenges
- The Brian Lopes model Sun rims
- Umbrella city at the XC start
- Ned Overend - 48 years old but still deadly.
- Ned Overend lines up for the pro XC - he's still faster than most 24 year olds
- Tyler Pilger’s Trek Fuel 100
- Decaled like the pros' rigs
- The aluminum lugs are bright blue on the new Fuel 100
- Whoa! Barry Wicks (Kona) gets geared up for Super D