Check here often for the latest updates on Kashi's exploits

Monday, July 23, 2001
Kashi's race report. Norba number 4, Mammoth Mountain
To save some of the boredom of being on the road, I decided to stop of in Boulder for a couple of days to see friends. It was a great idea, as I gave my mind a complete break, and even went out to a concert (Jack Johnson- pretty good stuff!)

On Wednesday I headed to Mammoth, the location of the first unofficial World Mountain Bike Championships in 1989, is also the home of some awesome dry single track riding. Although the tracks is a bit soft and sketchy at places, the maze of MTB specific tracks could keep us busy for weeks, if only!

Our course was the same as two years ago, with some tough open gravel road climbing, and a long twisty decents. I must have still been tired from last weeks efforts, because my legs were not climbing great. It was my descending that saved me, as I managed a good 30-40sec advantage each of the 5 laps. Then I just had to grit my teeth and try to hang on once I got caught halfway up the climb! Roland Green, once again made us look like amateurs, winning in ease by over 2min. Finally I ended up 3rd, after Ryder Hesjedal climbed away from me on the final lap. Considering my feelings, that was quite okay.

It was fun to see so many kiwi's at the race too. In the XC we had Paul, Robin, Bob, Lisa, and myself. In the DH was Vanessa, Sheryl, John and Nathan!

The short track was fast and tight again. At least this time the organizers gave me a better start position, and I was comfortably in the first 5-6 during the first two laps. But then Chris Sheppard and Ryder collided right in front of me, forcing me to stop, get of my bike, and run up a small hill. By the time I was back on my bike, I was almost last. Still, I was happy not to be on the ground! Ryder fell pretty hard and ended up with a sprained ankle. I managed to catch the front group again, but then I was too tired to give a good battle on the final laps, and I ended up 11th.

Now, FINALLY, its time to go home. Even if its only for a few days, its going to be so good! I actually have a weekend off too, before the final 3 World Cups, a NORBA, and the Worlds!
KASHI
posted by jeff lyall 7/23/2001 07:21:24 PM

Saturday, July 21, 2001
CHEVY TRUCKS NORBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES, Mammoth Mountain, CA. July 20-22.
Cross country Men
1. Roland Green (Can), Trek-Volkswagen, 29.3 miles in 2:18:05
2. Ryder Hesjedal (Can), Subaru-Gary Fisher, at 1:16
3. Kashi Leuchs (NZ), Volvo-Cannondale, at 1:52
4. Seamus McGrath (Can), Haro-Lee Dungarees, at 2:02
5. Bart Brentjens (Nl), Giant, at 2:16
6. Todd Wells, Hildenbrand, at 3:20
7. Ziranda Madrigal (Mex), Turbo, at 3:45
8. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, RLX Polo Sport, at 4:10
9. Kirk Molday, SunRace-Santa Cruz, at 5:43
10. Liam Killeen (GB), Great Britain, at 5:44
http://www.velonews.com/race/mtn/articles/1224.r.html

posted by jeff lyall 7/21/2001 02:36:56 PM

Friday, July 20, 2001
World Cup number 5, Durango Colorado
One of the coolest things about being a sports person is the emotional high you get when you achieve well. Its a strange mix of relief, that you have achieved your goals, and self confidence. Yesterday I had probably my highest high that I have yet to experience, when I made the podium for the first time ever in a World Cup. My normal emotions were boosted by the thousands of people around, cheering, yelling and admiring. They pushed me harder then I ever thought I would be capable of riding.

I figured I could do well, because I often ride well at altitude, and also my form was steadily increasing. I liked the course, which was mostly fast and rocky, but had some really fun sections as well as some tough climbing. The start was going to be fast and open, but I took 15th place on the start grid, much better then usual. I felt pretty nervous, which is normal when I feel I can do well.

Race on, and the first 2km was like a strung out road race. Cross winds and a high pace forcing riders to take shelter behind one another. I sat comfortably in about 6th. Roland Green managed to open up a small gap, and everyone else jostled for position before the tricky sections. I fought hard and always stayed in the first 5, this was the first time I had ever managed to start so well and I didn't want to loose this position! After one lap I settled into a good rhythm, riding near the front of a big group of 8-9 riders. The race plan was to conserve, conserve, conserve. At altitude, riders tend to blow much easier!

I was comfortable just sitting in the group, but I also knew that I was a quicker decender then most. At one point I attacked past Miguel Martinez, to be first down a section called "the plunge" I rode the section well and gained about 20sec very easily. I didn't want to ride alone at this point, but I was in 2nd place, so I continued easily for a few kilometers until I was caught. To my surprise the big group had been strung out, and with half the race remaining it was just me, Cadel Evans, Julien Absalon, Ryder Hesjedal and Roland off the front.

I concentrated on being ultra smooth and efficient. Ryder made a huge superman into the scrub just ahead of me, then with one lap remaining we passed Roland who had flatted (the second week in a row he lost a world cup to a flat!) I could hardly believe my situation. With one lap left, I was on the front of a world cup together with team mate Cadel Evans, and Julian Absalon. Cadel made the first move, I was starting to cramp a little, so I was happy to stick to Julian's wheel. We were really motoring, but Cadel still managed a 20sec lead. Now it would be a battle for 2nd and 3rd. On the second last climb I was pinned to the limit, but Julian still took 10sec from me. I fought with everything to catch it back, but Julian was fighting as hard. Finally with just 500m remaining I looked up and to my surprise saw Cadel running his bike. He had punctured on the last possible section. As disappointed as I was for losing a team win, I can not admit I was not happy to take 2nd! The feeling was great. After 5 years of riding world cups, now finally, I am in the competition!

What a cool feeling, standing on the podium above current World Cup overall leader Roland Green, above World Cup winner Jose Hermida and above two time World Cup overall winner Cadel Evans. I was happy to have my dad, back in New Zealand, listening to the action on a mobile phone. In the crowd was my trainer Benoit, Stephanie, Charlie, Christoph, Mike, Martin... I know we all shared the same feeling.

In typical Charlie style, we went out for an awesome dinner, drank wine, yarned and laughed about all sorts of stuff. Then it was early to bed, for another travel day, and another race. Next up, Mammoth Mtn NORBA.

www.mountainbike.co.nz/kashi
kashi@voonoo.net
MOBILE +33 66 414 9892

posted by jeff lyall 7/20/2001 03:17:55 PM

Monday, July 16, 2001
KASHI makes his first WC podium!!!! Men's XC Results:
1. Julien Absalon (FRA, Bianchi Motorex) in 2 hours
2. Kashi Leuchs (NZL, Volvo-Cannondale) at 12 sec.
3. Cadel Evans (AUS, Volvo-Cannondale) at 27
4. Jose Hermida (ESP, Bianchi Motorex) at 38
5. Roland Green (CAN, Trek-Volkswagen) at 1:20
6. Roel Paulissen (BEL, Team GT) at 1:43
7. Thomas Hochstrasser (SUI, Team Giant) at 1:58
8. Lado Fumic (GER, Team Telekom-Mobile) at 2:05
9. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN, Subaru Gary Fisher) at 2:22
10. Liam Killeen (GBR, Great Britain) at 2:38
http://www.mountainbike.com/news/news/news_20010715-22538.shtml
posted by jeff lyall 7/16/2001 12:45:01 PM

Monday, July 09, 2001
CANADA 7-8.7.2001 WORLD-CUP
We have just had a really nice week here in Vancouver. The weather has been perfect, the venue ontop of a beautiful mountain over looking the city, and some great results! Christoph took his second ever world cup victory (after home boy, Roland Green flatted on the final decent!), while Cadel also rode amazing to finish 3rd. I finally had a strong race coming home in 11th, and Tinker rode strong in 19th (pretty darn amazing, considering he has already won s 24hr solo race this year). Anne Caro won the womans downhill yet again, and Cedrik made his best result this year in 7th.
So, we have just had a nice celebration dinner, and finally the team moral has been picked up from a rather slow start to the year. Tomorrow we move onto the classic mountain bike venue of Durango, for Worldcup #5.
Kashi .
Mens XC .
1 13 SUI19760413 SAUSER Christoph SUI VOLVO CANNONDALE 1:57:08.00
2 1 CAN19740729 GREEN Roland CAN TREK/VOLKSWAGEN 1:57:19.00 11
3 10 AUS19770214 EVANS Cadel AUS VOLVO CANNONDALE 1:57:21.00 13
4 3 FRA19760117 MARTINEZ Miguel FRA FULL DYNAMIX 1:58:43.00 1:35.00
5 16 CAN19801209 HESJEDAL Ryder * CAN SUBARU-GARY FISHER 1:58:57.00 1:49.00
6 15 BEL19760427 PAULISSEN Roel BEL TEAM GT 2:00:18.00 3:10.00
7 38 CAN19770414 KABUSH Geoff CAN KONA FORD FOCUS 2:00:52.00 3:44.00
8 2 ESP19780824 HERMIDA Jose Antonio ESP BIANCHI MOTOREX 2:01:00.00 3:52.00
9 4 NED19730825 VAN DOOREN Bas NED SPECIALIZED 2:01:00.00 3:52.00
10 9 FRA19800816 ABSALON Julien * FRA BIANCHI MOTOREX 2:01:03.00 3:55.00
11 23 NZL19780630 LEUCHS Kashi NZL VOLVO CANNONDALE 2:01:47.00 4:39.00

posted by jeff lyall 7/9/2001 11:14:25 PM


Powered By Blogger TM
Archived news