Date: May 19, 2000
Event: Chevy Trucks NORBA NCS#1 - Big Bear
Class: OPEN
Category: Pro
Length: Four 8.47 mi laps - 34 miles!
Time: 2:51:04
Bike: Trek 9.9 with Hayes Disk Brakes and Rock Shox Sid Race fork
Tires: Bontrager Super X

1. Coming right from Europe competing in the Worlds, wasn't this race extra tough for you especially with all of that traveling?

Travelling was very tough. There was only 5 days between races, and I spent 2 of those days travelling. For me, the time difference is not too bad, it's more a problem with sitting on an airplane all day, breathing bad air, and being cramped. I caught a cold in Europe too, and the plane travel made it worse. Add to all this the fact that the Big Bear XC course is from 7000 to 8000 feet, and you can see that my preparation was less than ideal!

2. Did beating big names like TINKER JUAREZ and MATT KELLY add to your race experience?

Its always motivating to close in on and pass riders that are well known and respected. That said, there are lots of fast guys in the race, and you don't really focus in on any particular people. Matt and I finished very close to each other. It took me the whole last lap to make up 15 seconds on him. I finally inched by him at the top of the climb.

3. The race was on Friday....... when did you get into town to start your "altitude training?"

I arrived in Big Bear on Wednesday afternoon. I did an easy lap of the course on Thursday (less than 1 hour). I would usually ride more than this the day before the race, but I was full of a cold, and felt terrible. Thankfully, I felt much better on race day, and was quite pleased with my performance.

4. What was your position at the starting line?

17th. That put me on the 2nd row. The seeding was based on last years NORBA standings. The start was on a wide dirt road, so it wasn't too hard to move up, and traffic wasn't too bad.

5. Does the rush of a big event like this make you stronger during the race?

For me it does. However, some guys seem to get too nervous and "choke" in the big races.

10 & Final Michaux Ironmasters 2000

8. Were you strong from start to finish?

I rode fairly steady the whole time. It was a long race and I wanted to pace myself. That is my style, and it usually means that I make up places towards the end as riders fade back to me.

9. When did you put the hammer down?

I surged a bit at the top of the last climb to get past Matt Kelly.

10. Did you have any unusual problems?

Not really.

11. How would you rate the course?

It's great if you like long climbs on fireroads, but for me it's not so good. It lacked technical challenges. It was also a poor course for spectators. We only came around every 40 to 45 mins, and it wasn't possible to see the riders in more than one location.

12. Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Overall, yes. Although changing the # of laps an hour before the race was bad organization. The longer race suited me, but is not fair to change it so late, when riders have already prepared for a shorter race.

13. If you could do the race again - would you do anything differently?

No. Given my hectic schedule and travel I was pleased with the race. It bodes well for the rest of my season, and I can now focus on having my best Norba finish ever, which I hope to get at Mt Snow next month.

14. Is there anything you would like to add?

It was great to have so many Trek guys in the race. Kirk Molday, Jess Swiggers, Matt Kelly from the national team, and Frank Mapel, Brandon Dwight, Mike Lee, and myself from the Trek regional teams.

Thank you Chris Eatough for the interview!!