• Offenburg World Cup: Race day musings

    Offenburg World Cup: Sunday race daySunday was race day. The creme de la creme of the weekend. Other than winning the weekends races, what's a better way to make a statement to the estimated 15,000 fans than arriving to the event in a 1.8 million dollar Bugatti thanks to a sponsor of the fine Russian sports federation. No corners cut here....1,001 horsepower and the roar of a jet engine. VROOM! You should have seen the people stop dead in their tracks and jaws hit the dirt.



    Offenburg World Cup: Sunday race day

    Fueled by sugar.




    Offenburg World Cup: Sunday race day
    The young Russian protege. Racing for Topeak-Ergon next year? We'll see...



    Offenburg World Cup: Sunday race dayIrina had a perfect day. Perfect weather, lots of press, fans, and even the glory of winning in the womens XC race. Things look to be on track for the Olympics.



    Offenburg World Cup: Sunday race day
    Yep, there was close to 15,000 super fans. Crazy and loud from 10 AM up until the end of the mens race at around 4 PM. USA Cycling, please, pretty please take note.



    Offenburg World Cup: Sunday race day
    Wolfram, a.k.a Wolfman, had a bad day on the bike. Maybe it was the number on his number plate...or maybe the symptoms of a slight cold which he discussed at breakfast the other morning. Either way...you win some and you loose some. Today, Wolfram pulled the plug early after a hard few laps. No shame in that.



    Offenburg World Cup: Sunday race day
    Crazy drops. Wells. Padded carnage trees. And screaming crazy German cycling fans drinking beer and grasping encased meat products in hand. What else are you going to do on a early Spring Sunday?



    Offenburg World Cup: Sunday race day
    In typical fashion, Julian Absalon stuck it to the men's field in an un-human like performance while the fans looked on in awe.



    Offenburg World Cup: Sunday race dayThat's a wrap! Time to start looking to next weeks World Cup in Madrid. Another 50 photos posted today.

    I am typing this from a hotel next to the Frankfurt airport. Tomorrow morning in the early AM, Wiens and myself head back to the US of A. It's time to get back into the routine of work and training. Next event for me is a marathon on the 17th outside Denver. Can't wait!