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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.
Grand Tour de Montreal and Montreal World Cup - May 27-29, 2005
Day One: Rain on Mont Royal
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Greetings cyclingnews.com fans, I just arrived in Montreal tonight and he race is on to get ready for the World Cup race on Saturday. I will be working for the Equipe Nurnberger squad on this ten day trip that will include three races: Montreal WC, Grand Tour de Montreal and Wachovia Liberty Classic in Philadelphia.
When I got to the residence hall where we are staying, Petra Rossner [director sportif for this trip] and the riders had gone out to eat, so I quickly gathered up my stuff and went looking for some supplies. I had to ship a workstand and some wash and lube products to the race headquarters. I have to say a quick round of thanks to Karl at Pedros and Brett at Ultimate workstands. I am very fortunate to have brand race stuff from both of them to make my trip go 100%. Thanks guys.
Petra was back as soon as I had unpacked my things and it was right to the bikes. It looks like the bikes have seen plenty of rain lately, there were a number of items that were a little rusted and sticky. I quickly assembled the bikes from travel cases [about four hours for six bikes] and got everything running smoothy again. Tomorrow the riders will do a short ride in the morning, then I wil have the bikes for the rest of the day to prep for the World Cup race.
It is after midnight here right now, and I have yet to unpack the camera, but tomorrow I will get some pics of the team bikes. The Fujis that Nurnberger is riding this year have the rainbow stripes, as Judith Arndt is the current World Champ. More on her bike tomorrow.
Off to bed, the sun comes up here at about 5:00am - we are pretty far north. Tonnes to do tomorrow, with bike prep, car decaling and a press photo shoot. Should be a busy 20 hours. They did move the race on Saturday back until 2:30pm, such that it can be broadcast live across Canada. Gives me some extra time on race day.
If you are in town for the race and you see me, please introduce yourself. I really enjoy meeting other cyclingnews.com readers. I met some really great people here in Montreal last year.
Until tomorrow,
Chris Davidson
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Mitch Friedman/www.mitchophoto.com
- Oenone Wood, Olivia Gollan and Rochelle Gilmore warm up and learn the course
- Alessandra Grassi’ bike
- Judith Arndt's Fuji ready to go fast
- Susanne Ljungskog (Team Buitenpoort- Flexpoint)
- Susanne Ljungskog's steed being attended to
- Susanne Ljungskog and Linda Serup about to go out and ride
- Olivia Gollan gets busy on the rollers
- Nobili Rubinetterie-Menikini Cogeas riders get ready to roll out for a ride. (l-r) Edit Pucinskaite, Sigrid Corneo, Daniella Fusar Poli and Olga Slyusareva
- Daniella Fusar Poli (Nobili)
- Judith Arndt (Equipe Nurnberger)
- Arndt and Anke Wichmann of the Equipe Nurnberger Team
- Rochelle Gilmore and Olivia Gollan have a chat whilst out on the course
- You scared me there! Olivia Gollan on a training ride on the Montreal course
