Date: April 16, 2000
Event: 10th & Final Michaux Ironmasters Classic XC
Class: OPEN
Category: Pro
Length: 27 mi.
Time: 2:09:17
Conditions: Sunny - 70s and humid
Bike: Razorback HT (hard tail)
Tires: Hutchinson Python Gold

Did you do anything special to prepare for this race?

Absolutely. I rode the course four times. Tapered off (took it easy) late week so I could be rested for it. Prepared the bike. Spent a lot of time working on the bike because this course is notorious for eating bikes. The race comes to you here so you have to be ready.

In the last two months how many hours a week have you trained?

Probably 16-17.

Were you strong from start to finish?

I faded a little bit. I started feeling it. It was the hardest course I have ever raced on.

When did you put the hammer down?

In the 2 1/2 mile 780 ft. climb called Dead Women's Hollow. That's when I felt the need to work as hard as I could and try to solidify a lead. I didn't know where Chris (Eatough) was in the race. Eric (Keim) was right behind me and I got a gap on Eric (he wasn't feeling as good at that point). I felt the need to try to race my fastest regardless of how the race was going. It's better for me to try to race my fastest. Chris ended up double flatting but still finished up top ten I think. During the race I thought he was right behind me so...that's when I knew I had to really put the hammer down.

Would you consider bringing a book next year considering you were four minutes out front of everyone else?

No, I had to bust my butt - and if Chris hadn't doulbe-flatted......in a way it's disappointing that we didn't get to race head to head. I know it would have been "epic". It would have been tough.

(Team mate Eric Keim mentioned that Jeremiah stopped the start for Chris Eatough) Jeremiah responded:

He had a flat before the race and the motorcycle started rolling up the hill in the neutral start and it pulls off. So I rode up and shouted, "Woah, you have to stop - let's wait for Chris!" He would have done it for me I think.

Did you have any unusual problems?

I had a problem dealing with the heat. I would say the biggest problem I ran into on this course was on the "Rattlesnake Ridge" downhill which is probably one of the hardest parts of the course but also one of the coolest parts of the course.

I clipped out of my pedals and kind of fell over a little bit. Just rode a little bit sloppy in that last section due to just pushing as hard as I could. So I was riding down the Rattlesnake downhill and just couldn't get clipped into the pedals...tryiing to find my pedals, banging into the rocks - bouncing all over... I was like, "Come on pedals, come on..... so I lost a little bit of speed on that section. It was pretty good from there on out.

How do you rate the course?

Best course I ever raced on. Bar none - it's my favorite race and I definitely hope they have it next year. Rumor has it that Gettysburg Cycle and Fitness is going to pick it up. Hopefully it comes together. I'd even like to see a stage race. That would be cool - it's got such a draw and it's so well known.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Another reason this is my favorite race. If I had timed it.....the fastest registration that I've ever been to. You go up you say your name.... by the time you are done signing your signature on the release form you have your packet and you are walking away! No lines, no confusion - no real lengthy over complicated paperwork. They're just really smooth and they do an excellent job in promoting my favorite race. They also have one of the best payouts in the mid-Atlantic. There's always a large turn out too. It's a real cult following - the race has been going on for ten years - it's always been a real big event and a big "to-do" on my list. Something I hope to be able to keep doing.

If you could do the race again, would you do anything differently?

Yeah, I was going to bring this little fan.... a little windmill. A stick with a little propeller on the end of it - my pinwheel! I was going to put it on my handlebars. Unfortunately I forgot my pinwheel and I was very disappointed. I think it cost me some time on the final climb. I'll have to remember to bring it next time.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I really hope they can continue putting on this race. I am definitely really excited to be able to win the 10th edition of this race. It's very rewarding considering the close calls I've had in the past month leading up to this victory. I was a minute or so out in Florida (Gainesville AMBC)... just had an off race... and you know.... 6 seconds from first at Wye Mills... a lot of close races at big events. It felt good to put it together for once

This is a true mountain biker's course and a mountain biker's win....

Yeah, a real mountain bike course. I'd like to see more courses like this. More courses that make mountain biking a real sport instead of simply a test of athletic fitness. This course takes so much skill in addition to speed and endurance.