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Wrenchin' in the USA: The Chris Davidson diary 2005

Chris Davidson is a mechanic for Shimano Multi-Service doing neutral tech support at road and mountain bike races..

Chris' diary entries show us what life is like inside the pits and give an insight into the mind of a mechanic.

Index to all entries

NORBA NCS Series #2, McDowell Mountain Park, Arizona, March 17-20, 2005

Day Three - Fast and frantic short track cross-country

Trek/VW MTB Team Tech Rule Statement

The Trek/VW racing team and Trek Bicycles do not support the recently enacted UCI tech assistance rule primarily on the grounds that it creates inequity within the sport. Therefore to try and minimize the disparity between the factory team riders and the privateer racer, we will provide technical assistance to any pro rider racing a Trek bicycle. Supplies provided will include tubes, inflation means, multitools, chains, and derailleur hangers among other items like zip ties, lube, and tire levers. We expect the supplies that can be reused to be returned after use so they can help another rider in the future. It's our hope that this policy will act as an inspiration to other companies with the necessary resources that they might also lend assistance to the privateers who already work hard enough just to make the start. This is NORBA not the UCI and we should make this rule what we want it to be.

This effort is also sponsored by Bontrager and Genuine Innovations, each of whom are contributing products to the cause.

The Nova Classic will serve as a test run for this policy and we plan to enact it in full at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, CA in April.

Jonathan Posner
Trek/VW Professional MTB Team Manager
The leaders in the men’s ‘A’ STXC
Photo ©: Chris Davidson
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The third day in the desert and more rain was forecast, but none that would interrupt the high speed racing of the STXC. After a crash early in the day in one of the amateur classes, the course was modified to include some flatter terrain, only boosting the already high speeds. In the women's race, Sue Haywood (Trek) rode a way of good form off the front with Hanusova (Kuna) and Koerber (Gary Fisher). Sue made it look easy, despite the work of the very strong Luna team. Haywood attacked and led through the final turn, only to have the finish go to the photo and a 45 minute review. In the end Katerina Hanusova was declared the winner by the smallest of margins. Watch for Haywood tomorrow, according to her teammate, Jeremiah Bishop, she is really strong right now.

The men's field was so large, 90+ riders, that in the interest of safety the officials decided to split the field and run two STXC races. The top 40 riders on GC got to ride the 'A' final, while everyone else was relegated the 'B' final. The 'B' race was exciting watching Ryan Trebon (Kona) and Carl Decker (Giant) stage in the back and charge to the front of the race. Ryan would eventually puncture and slow, while Decker almost made it from last to first. Before the race these two had a dollar bet on who would make it to the front first.

Geoff Kabush (Maxxis)
Photo ©: Chris Davidson
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The 'A' final was a heavyweight fight, plenty of horsepower on a super fast course. The ride of the day was Adam Craig (Giant). He crashed early in the race, got back up and made it back to the front group of 10 and went straight to the front. On lap eight as the riders were setting up for the finish, Craig punctured and still made it to the finish. This guy showed huge power today, with better luck he should have been in for the win.

Not enough can be said about Geoff Kabush (Maxxis). He throws down the biggest attacks at the toughest points in the race. He is quickly showing signs of a repeat of his two championships from last year.

In the crazy 'neutral support debate' the Trek team issued a statement regarding their stance on help for privateers running their bikes. (See sidebar). This seemed to fuel the fire regarding the lack of specifics in the UCI rule and the true 'soul' of NORBA racing. Tomorrow will be the true litmus, as punctures have already figured heavily into the two stage results to date. More on this at the race tomorrow, this issue is evolving at the speed of light. I will try to get pictures of the 'pit' action.

The ‘B’ STXC
Photo ©: Chris Davidson
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I was flattered today as Jeremiah Bishop (Trek) came by and mentioned that he actually read my web reports. Wow, I think that now I can say with confidence that more than five people read this stuff. And one of them is a Pan Am Games Gold medalist. Makes some of the late nights and the lengthy uploading of photos all worthwhile.

The real action and the weekend's overall results rest on the XC tomorrow. The pit issue will almost certainly be a part of the unfolding. I hope that today's pictures help to capture some of the intensity of the STXC. There was plenty of suffering etched on the faces of the pros today. Nothing like the anticipation of the gun going off.

Until tomorrow, thanks for reading,
Chris Davidson

Photography

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Images by Chris Davidson

 


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