XTERRA World Tour: Czech Republic: 3rd Pro: Game Changer.

So after the win that surprised a few people in Scotland I went to the Czech Republic gunning for it and this time pretty fresh! What I didn’t expect was to be coming home having equaled the best ever British performance at a European Xterra, beating Nico Lebrun and taking the fastest bike split – not to mention armed with lots and lots of Euros! Game changer!

I had been to the Czech Republic in the winter of 2001. I remember lots of beer, a badly selected hotel, ice everywhere and rattling trams. This time it was midsummer and as I drove along the banks of the River Vltava I was amazed that I had forgotten just what a beautiful city Prague was. I had an evening to quickly aquaint myself with just who put all this architecture together and to of course to take a trip to the Budvar Brewery at U Medviku for some unpasturised straight from the tap brewing loveliness..

After blagging an upgrade from a dorm to an apartment I awoke on the Thursday ready to head to Spindleruv Mlyn, the mountainous ski venue for the big race. But despite the cossestted sleeping quarters I had picked up a slight stomach issue. I left Prague with all those Z's, Y's, K's and J's making me feel queasy and the flaky suburbs' cold war coloured schemes almost sending me over the edge. 

Spinderluv Mlyn and the Xterra Czech Championship respresented my first real focus race of the year and I had an inadvertent taper in the week leading in. I was still swimming slowly but the knowledge that I was National Champion gave me a new extra impetus – I had been comfy to win in Scotland and wanted to back things up, honour the title and show that it was no fluke.

After rancid service station sandwiches the road climbed steadily through lush forests toward the ski station and village... things were looking pretty promising. Unloading the Indy I rode over to race HQ to be greeted by a raft of big downhill bikes.. my excitement turned to trepadation as the race seemed to be based around a world cup downhill course... 


Despite this initial impression the course except for two or three key sections was in fact pretty dull.. too much fireroad and a heck of a lot of climbing which considering the options was a shame.. that said, come Sunday the weather would turn the XTERRA Czech into an epic.

I am beginning to get to know the British contingent at the XTERRA's. It is unusual to come from a mountain bike race where I know all there to something where I know no one! Thankfully I met Sam Gardner at sign on and post chit chat we headed into town for coffee. Once there we were greeted by the full Charlie Eustace "Podium Kiss" experience. Charlie is a one of a kind and was in the area. Within seconds of seeing me it was top off and pecs out ... the body of.. well I don't quite know what .. on full display. With the type of look which goes down well out East he had decided to drop in and try XTERRA - the weekend was going to be interesting..

After checking the run course and a coops worth of chicken it was back to my budget hotel for final checks and a bit of focus. It took me a while to settle .. my sleep was more restless than my tent time in Scotland and France.. I felt some pressure to deliver for the first time in a triathlon. 

When I awoke the view from the window had changed.. all the mountains had disappeared in the mist and the main street had become a river as a little slice of Pakistan had moved into town. On reflection it was pretty lucky that a race happeneed at all as it would later transpire that 4 people had died in Poland from the subsequent flooding....

The race was unusual in that it had transitions in different places. I set up my run transition taking care to put a very visible marker down and then headed for the lake. That lake was nothing like Xonrupt.. in fact it was a pretty cold and dank affair.. but luckily the swim was to be very short.. advantage Me! 

Now I have quickly realised that it is imperative to be on guard before the start of a triathlon as the start can happen at any time and this is exactly what happened in Spindleruv Mlyn. With not a moments notice we were away and I was having a properly bad time of it! I felt unwell in my stomach and got boxed in - it was a flail fest! Lap 2 and it was much of the same - my aim had been to beat Sam out of the water but I was seemingly well behind.

Yet transition was once again improved and before I knew it the white Sidi's were whirring up the trail and I was rattling past the early leaders..

A couple of minutes in the white Sidi's were whirring up to speed and I caught South African young gun Ryan Redman .. then there ahead the noticeable kit of Sam at 30 seconds up and latched onto 2005 World Champion and winner in France and Colorado – Nico Lebrun. I was in no mans land but I had a carrot and to add to the drama the dull course had been transformed into a slidy funfest in light of the sheet rain.

After ten minutes of riding alone in wet conditions that I love I saw a group at 15 seconds all latched onto Lebrun’s wheel. I put in an effort and caught them just before the main climb. This technical rock section was like something transplanted from the Peaks and would last about seven minutes. I felt good and the 29er was in its absolute element. I decided to change up and make an immediate move. I rode by the 6 strong group including Gardner, Lebrun and Dietz and only Lebrun followed. What ensued was a sensational ding-dong battle in epic conditions. After lap 1 I had gone from 38^th out of the water to 6^th overall and I attacked Lebrun again. I got the gap but then he caught me coming to the main climb as we bridged to 4^th and 5^th.  After ten minutes of riding as a group with Finn Mikko Vastaranta - I decided to attack just before the finish as I felt I was fastest on the tight last downhill. I got the gap with a big big effort.

This was a pressure moment – Lebrun is the fastest runner in XTERRA and my transitions are pretty amateur. Somehow I managed the 8^th fastest transition split and went onto my favoured run ready for a duel. Within a kilometre I had caught the Czech number 1 and had moved into a podium position. Looking behind I was holding Lebrun. Where Scotland had been a comfy run this one was in a different league – 100% Hurt Business. 

My mind was raging 4th? but a podium would give me the impetus to go for big things... The rain lashed down and I gritted in to beat Nico by 10 seconds. I had the fastest bike split
and second fastest running split It was great to be the surprise package and within a few moments it was a Czech TV interview and a realisation that I was pretty good at this! One thing's for certain; I don't think they'll rank me as the lowest pro again!

The result has had quite a big impact on my thinking. I am new to this and really do very little swimming – if I can get that sorted perhaps I can get right in there both in this discpline and also Ironman and have a late doors career! Post Japan I will decide whether I can be a full professional for 2011.

That night was a good one; a podium, a good pay out, lots of beer and then some robotic dance moves from Sammy G! The next day was a washout but South African pro Justin Porteous gave great company on the drive back into Prague.

Big thanks to Quest Adventure (JP, Jim and Darren).. they have stepped up and are making my bike run perfectly for the big events - my Indy had me smiling even in the heat of battle.


Music and books a little light at the moment - but am enjoying The Ride Journal and The Human League's "Hard Times."