Race Report: Xterra Czech Championships 2008, Hluboka nad Vltavou
June 30th, 2008 by Dan HugoXterra Czech 2008: Hluboka nad Vltavou.
DNF: Puncture (Another)
(Getting set for the start on a soccer field to a castle back drop)
There was minimal flow above the weir yet enough to convince me start solo up the right hand side. Probably not worth the risk but my character is such that I cant help but take the chance, even if just to prove something insignificant to myself. Another short swim, maybe 13min. Fifth out.
(Lieuwe Boonstra and myself - two of the three South African’s on the start)
(Me leading on the right - The river was curved and the quieter water was in the centre…)
The boys moved with intent over the first few kilometers heading out of town along the river. Four formed, including Stoltz, Schumann and Marceau. I realised that could well be the race right there, and managed to get across. Up the first small sharp climb it was a free for all though, with Stoltz and Marceau going over the top really hard. Felix and I trailed a few metres back, down the first descent. I punctured. And had a sit down in the forest…
(Nico Lebrun - oval big blade…)
Up front Marceau blew apart, and Stoltz was joined by Batelier. A slow leak from another sidewall cut slowed Stoltz, stopping, putting air in, and again, till he was out of CO2, and eventually he rode into T2 on the rim in tenth. A class character for perseverance, and most worthy of admiration.
(Franky Batelier leading off the bike)
Batelier’s 45sec lead over three, including Lebrun, was insufficient. And the two Frenchmen exchanged places to finish 1st and 2nd.
(Batelier and Lebrun. 2nd and 1st. French and French.)
I’m unsure of third. Ronnie Dietz came in fourth. Jim Thijs in fifth. Stoltz an amazing 6th. Lieuwe 7th or 8th. Felix suffered towards the end and got in somewhere in the top ten. Marceau limped in round 10th, and that when we headed to the autobahn to get back to Switzerland in time for the Euro 2008 Final.
What you dont want to hear
I toke my bike in to the local bike shop this week, to get a new brake setup, and asked the mechanic to take th tube out I put in during the Xterra last weekend, and put the new tire on tubelessly. When fetching the bike, all in shaky broken English, he said the blue rim strip of the Specialized Roval’s looked insecure to him, and he put another rim strip in. The Stan’s rim strip I asked. And he confirmed. But it was actually just another tube.
It looks identical and I wouldnt have known. And didnt bother checking pressure on my two training rides. And only this morning deflated to race pressure.
So I ran my rear at 29psi this morning, and sat pedalling hard down a small rocky descent, and flatted as one would with a tube at such low pressure. I played the gamble, as it was described as a course where flatting wasnt really a threat, and with a tight field, I figured a puncture would put me out the money today, being a shorter race than last weekend, and having one more next weekend, decided to go light weight without spares. So it was a long 50min walk back to cicilization, plenty time to think about my sins. So too on the 6hour drive home. Lessons learnt, humbly, and a call to better preparations. My fault. My responsibility.
I’ve not been this disappointed in myself since similar basic errors in my Coast to Coast race last year in New Zealand. I feel I’ve let so many down, including you, the faithful dghugo.com reader, and for that, to all, I apologise.
What an amateur. I didnt even know what I was running.
But if I’m amateur enough for such a basic mistake, I’m amateur enough to still enjoy the small excitements from riding on Olivier Marceau’s wheel. Aiai. And in between the frustrations, I left with more self belief and more desire than ever.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:41 am
Nice race recap and great ending for your own self. As I read it I was ready to remind you of not being so hard on yourself. You are an incredible athlete in a race today with the top competitors so it is what you learn during that journey.
Don’t ever apologize, I know you will always do your best and sometimes that doesn’t have the end result you strive for. My loyalty to the belief that you are one of top and will achieve that title, maybe with a few stumbles on the way.
Best wishes to focus your goals and take care of yourself.
June 30th, 2008 at 6:08 am
I think I might just have to make a call to the specialized crew and tell them to get you and conrad some new tires. Good effort bro! Thanks for keeping us updated. Rest up and get ready to rip some legs off in France. I thinking something like Lebrun who?
June 30th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Dave Scott, I heard a myth, could not change his tires in several races and other competitors stopped to help him. Normann Stadler lost his title one year due to type changing problem. A friend of mine, an Ironman PRO, quit the race due to too much glue on his tubulars. There are dozens of stories like this…
Stuff like this happens. When you do so many races you can not be perfect always, especially as a triathlete when you are mostly left to your own devices. Tour de France guys have a team of people doing stuff for them, you do not. Mistakes happen. It is a mathematical certainty. And when they do happen it is always the stupidest possible thing.
I think it is best that you get away with it this way than something more serious.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
hey my friend.
I wanna agree with Lauren. You never have to apologise, cause you have given SO MUCH already. In friendship and inspiring others to do and live with the passion you do….if anything - we should be apologising!
As an ex-sportsman myself, I know and understand the feeling of disappointemnt too well, but thats part of life. Sometimes you make a call that you think will work and it turns sour on you. That happens and will happen again. In sport and in life - it’s all the same.
A great man - you might know or have heard of him - PAUL ROOS - once said:
“It’s not whether you win or loose that always matters, but HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME”. Whether in games, sports or life - it’s is not always the result that matters!
Remember, we are supporters and friends, no matter whether it #1 or # 54. It changes nothing of our loyalty!
Keep the faith
chef
June 30th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Oh yeah Dan
I am off today and will not be in touch for a week……so…….
HAVE A EPIC BIRTHDAY TOMORROW my friend! My the peace and joy of the Lord Jesus rest upon you, fill you and make you excell in everything so that your cup will ALWAYS overflow.
Love in Christ
chef
June 30th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Learning curves, they never stop…. even when you think you might know alot!! The important thing is never look back, dont dwell longer than you need too - learn from the experience, know you have given it your best shot and move forward. It takes courage to do what you do - putting yourself at risk at all levels. Admiration is what I have for you Dan !!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR TOMORROW!!
lots of love
July 1st, 2008 at 2:47 am
Eish boet! I bet u tho, u’ll be the man to take advantage of this, and and use it for future success! a flat tire doesn’t change the fact that u’re stil a biscuit !
July 1st, 2008 at 9:55 am
I dont know why you are still beating up on yourself and ALL THE PEOPLE YOU LET DOWN during COAST TO COAST in NZ last year!! I was there and you were a star and the people that were with with and supported you from Rolex the Lab to Tom Pryde the ubermeister were incredibly impressed and full of admiration. So stop the self pity kak and start thinking about the promise you made those Kiwis - that one day you will be back and you will skop hulle gatte!!!. I hope to be one of your support crew again. You are a special young man and even for an old toppie it is nice to say I know you and you made some really shit times in NZ a whole lot better while you were there.
Happy birthday to you too - many more - and love to the special girl that is with you.
Small-Smith