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Monday, August 19, 2002
Allianz Suisse Cup La Chaux-de-Fonds 18-08-2002
Men
1. Sauser Christoph, Sigriswil 76 Volvo Cannondale 1:40.52,4
2. Absalon Julien, F-Raon aux Bois 80 Motorex Bianchi 1:42.04,0
3. Frischknecht Thomas, Feldbach 70 Swisspower MTB Team 1:42.36,0
4. Peraud Jean-Christophe, F-Villeurba 77 Equipe France VTT 1:42.47,7
5. Weber Balz, Bachenbülach 81 Arrow Swiss Bike Team 1:42.47,9
6. Bundi Silvio, Chur 78 Athleticum MTB Team 1:42.52,0
7. Dietsch Thomas, F-Molsheim 74 Motorex Bianchi 1:43.09,2
8. Leuchs Kashi, NZL 78 Volvo Cannondale 1:43.51,5
15. Gordon Craig, AUS-Springwood 71 Sobe-Headshok 1:46.09,5
23. Fleming Josh, AUS 75 Felt/Sram 1:49.02,9
36. Taberlay Sid, AUS 80 Avanti/Oakley/Shimano 1:52.47,2
43. Vincent Tim, NZL-Nelson 76 Merida Kiwivelo.com 1:55.17,6
61. Houltham Stuart 79 NZL-Taupo 2:02.14,4
posted by
jeff lyall
8/19/2002 08:36:26 AM
Monday, August 05, 2002
Heres the deal about the Saeco thing. Basically, I have been given this oportunity through Cannondale, as they are the bike sponsor of Volvo/Cannondale, and Saeco. I have been amazed by the responce from media, as I guess people are starting to compare me and Cadel, which is a bit scary! For me, I am doing it mostly for the interest factor. Its a great oportunity to join one of the most respected road teams in the world and feel what its like to a part of it. As for my expectaions, I have no real idea. I know I can race okay on the road, but as for Pro level, I think its going to be a bit different. The races I will be doing are said to be very tough too, so, well, we'll see! As for the future... I have no plans to switch for atleast 2 more years. And then it really depends on how much I enjoy it. There are alot of things I want to do in life, and I'm not convinced that being a road pro is one of them, yet!
Kashi
posted by
jeff lyall
8/5/2002 10:15:55 AM
Commonwealth Games Road Race Report from Kashi Leuchs.
Yesterday, as the sun came out after four days of rain, we finally got round to the Comm Games Road Race. I was itching to get some hard riding in, although I was very unsure on how my legs would be after the bad MTB race 5 days earlier. Our team was looking pretty good, with Gordon McCauly, Glen Mitchell, Ryan Russel, Karl Moore and Hayden Roulston. None the less, no one could overlook the quality of the field, which included a huge bunch of div 1 Pro riders (including all the Australian team!) So we went into the race, willing to fight, but not expecting too very much.
As it turned out, I had quite reasonable legs again. The sun was out, and I was actually quite enjoying the ride. I was staying right up front, covering small moves, as Gordon was up the road from the start (what a surprise!) Meanwhile Australia set a steady pace.
The race was 188km (the second longest race ever for me!), but because it was based on laps around an 11.5km circuit, it felt a lot shorter. With 6 laps remaining the Austalians had caught Gordon, and the big attacks went
down. 6 riders were up the road, which included 3 Aussies, and Glen from NZ.
Then there was our group of 9 riders, which also included Hayden Roulsten of NZ. The rest of the field were out of the race. But I could feel that I was close to my limit, so meanwhile Hayden sat on the back of our group, I tried to hold it together by cover any small attacks. Finally 2 laps later, the attacks became too hard and our group split up.
We still had 4 laps left, but no one was interested in racing anymore. Most of these riders were pros, and if you don't win, it don't matter! So I pretty much freewheeled around the circuit until another group caught us from behind, which included the other 3 kiwis. They were still racing for the minor places, and rode of the front, meanwhile I finished in the small laughing pack, as they call it. 25th was my final placement.
The important part though, was that Glen and Hayden had ridden bloody well up front, taking 4th and 6th respectively. Austalia were 1,2,3! So, that pretty much made us the #2 country in the race, and made everyone very happy with our performance.
Most of the other boys are pretty sick today after a hard nights drinking! I decided to save myself for tonight though, as I figure the closing ceremony will be a better party!
Kashi
posted by
jeff lyall
8/5/2002 07:59:52 AM
Friday, August 02, 2002
Kashi's computer is out of action, so here is his first report from the games.
So, I'm in the Commonwealth Games village using one of 200 computers provided to athletes. I am staying out of town about 1hr with the roadies, as I will ride the road race with them on Saturday. I can tell you, its pretty darn boring here actually! There's nothing to do, but sit around watching other sports on TV. I guess I'm not altogether in the best mood anyway, due to my bad race on Monday. I really was expecting to come away with a medal, and to finish 4th felt pretty bad. I had heard about the course before hand, and the news was that it was completely non-technical, but there was a few sections causing many punctures.
When I pre-rode the course I realised how right they were.. I even decided to make an official complaint about the section called "Snake bit alley," which I felt would cause too many punctures. As it turns out, this section decided the race for the woman, and also caused the terrible crash of Sadie. The rest of the course was just plan boring too, designed for the TV cameras, they had just forgotten to add any technical sections, meaning it would become a race of pure strength and condition. Still I felt I should have a good chance.
As expected, we were a big bunch riding together for the first lap, but as we approached the top of the long open climb, I jumped ahead to have a clear approach into the downhill. I figured I would try to get a little lead at least, and perhaps split up the field a little. Unfortunately, I pushed a little too hard, and wiped out on a small concrete slab. It was not a bad crash, but I hit the ground quite hard, so I was a little shaken up. Roland, Seamus and Liam came around me, and I jumped on just behind. From this point on I felt like I was fighting my bike. It felt like I was hitting every small rock, and I had no flow. The others slowly rode away from me, and I was just focusing on myself, and getting my rhythm back. But it never did. I struggled round the 6 laps, feeling the pain of racing, and the disappointment of missing the podium. I knew how many people from home would be staying up late, and I was letting them down. It was not the nicest experience! I tried to keep a positive attitude, and enjoy the experience of the huge crowd, but honestly I didn't.
When I had finished and thought about it for a while, I realised how important that bronze medal probably was for Liam. He's a friend of mine, and I know much he focused on this race. Plus of course he is British, and he will be a star after this. That's pretty cool! Now I'm kind of happy to still have an event coming up. I have 5 other roadies to train with, and I have hopes that I can be in there and help the team to the podium on Saturday.
Kashi
posted by
jeff lyall
8/2/2002 08:36:01 AM
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