Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Preview: MTB Marathon World Champs

Ryan and me were both selected to take part in the UCI Mountainbike Marathon World Championships in Villabassa/Niederdorf, Italy this weekend - Ryan riding as sole representation for Ireland and me riding as part of the German team of 15 men and 11 women. More info can be found here.

I am really looking forward to the event, to meet and ride with some of the best mountain bikers in the world, including German rider Sabine Spitz who is currently ranked first in the UCI XC rankings and 6th in the UCI Marathon rankings and Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa, who is possibly the best female mountain biker in the world.

Since I am still really new at this (can you believe I only started proper training last November!) and I have no idea how I compare to any of the riders really, my aims for the worlds are:

1. To finish
2. If successful, to not come last
3. If successful, to beat one or two specific girls, 3 guesses on who they are! ;)

Unfortunately my new Kona full sus won't be ready till the World Champs, so I am riding my trusty Canyon hardtail. Still wondering about tire choice, Furious Freds or Nobby Nics? Or just my favourite all rounder tires Kenda Karmas?

'Studded condom' (Furious Fred)

3 comments :

trio said...

Don't think I would chance the furious freds - risk of puncturing high! Good luck and have fun, it sounds so exciting!

trio said...

Well sone, had a look at the results and looks like you did well. Hope you enjoyed it!

Sean said...

"Studded condom"
Teeheehee!