Check here often for the latest updates on Kashi's exploits
Thursday, September 26, 2002
Hi again,
The fun continues down here in Italy! Dinner times a real blast... I sit there quietly, and watch as the Italians loudly amuse themselves by pouring salt in each others wine, or compete in who can eat the most steak! I have been really surprised how these guys are eating. They pretty much eat everything, and a lot of it! On the Volvo/Cannondale team we have been taught to be very careful with every meal. Before the race, for example, we try to eat lightly, but here with Saeco everyone eats a huge piece of beef! Then of course, I have a slight wheat allergy, and being in Italy its all about the pasta, breads, pizzas etc.. not easy for me! Oh well, a few bad weeks won't kill me!
Yesterdays course profile made it seem like the race might not be too hard... but boy was I wrong! There was just one real climb, and it was at 50km. Normally in a 200km road race, the pace is easy for the first 50km, so I was expecting maybe we just cruise over the hill, and then I could just sit in the pack for the rest.
Well well well... From the gun we were moving, at sections in single file. My legs were not feeling great, so I was around mid field as we flew up the climb, having to break for the hairpin corners! I forgot to mention that the whole time it was pissing rain, just lovely!
Coming over the top of the climb, the bunch was still all together, but then the gaps appeared on the decent instead! These guys were descending like novices... I felt stupid, riding around them all, and I was hardly pushing. By the bottom of the decent, there was just one big gap to close to the main bunch, but I ran out of corners. I was in the chasing group again.. great! Once again we were strung out, and I had to grit my teeth to hang on.
Eventuntually we got the group, but the pace just got faster and faster until I was way over my limit. I just don't know how to hang on those wheels, and finally I was pinged off the back. Actually, there were a lot of riders saying that this was a very fast race, which made me feel better. I think under half the field finished, which isn't much considering a mostly flat race!
I now have to work out what's going on this weekend! It seems like everyday they tell me something else. (or maybe its just the translation!?) First I was going to race on Saturday, then I was going home on Tuesday, then Wednesday, then Friday! I want to race more, but I think that the team has some riders who have pulled out of the Veulta de Spain coming up instead. No problem, but in this case, I want to race the MTB instead. There are a number of nice races this weekend, including a French Marathon, Swiss Power Cup, and also the 08XC in Sweden. So now I have to work things out... in Italian,, arrgg!
People seemed to like it, so here is my HR data from this race as well! You can see I was not as strong here then the last race, as I only get upto around 190, instead of 200 the other day.
Kashi
posted by
jeff lyall
9/26/2002 10:02:54 AM
Tuesday, September 24, 2002
Hi all...
Well, I have done my first professional road race! It was the Giro del Lazio, a undulating 200km course, with 2 decent climbs of about 5km each. I was joining the Seaco / Longoni team as a stagier, but I had made it very clear to them that I was no Cadel Evans, and it would be just experience for me! The first challenge was just to understand them. No one on the team speaks English, and only a couple of people speak a few words of French (and my French ain't that great either!). I arrived at the Service Course, (team race service/ workshop), and wow, it was huge.. there must have been 30 beautiful Cannondale CAAD 7 road bikes hanging on the walls... and these were just the spares. Shortly after 2 riders join us, and we're off in a team car, to the Lazio region, near Rome.
I got to meet some of the other Seaco athletes, including Salvatore Commesso and Igor Pugaci. Then I got to see the start list for the race, and I was slightly blown away. Somehow I was expecting to start with a small race, but here we had all the big Italian teams like Tacconi Sport (inc. Dario Frigo), Acgua&Sapone, Fassa Bortolo (inc. M Bartoli), Mercatone Uno, and Mapei (Inc. Bettini & A Tafi). 18 Teams in total.
The goal for me was to finish, and I did, only alone at the back! Actually about half the field had pulled out, I just didn't realize that once pro's get dropped, they pull out. No, I played the ignorant rookie, and rode to the finish!
I had excellent legs, and I knew I was riding well, because I had a very high HR. It was a very different feeling then any other road race I have been in, because I never really felt the speed increasing. During the first tough climb, the pace gradually increased until I realized that I was reaching my limit. I looked down at my heart rate monitor, and was 200HR! (that is pretty much my maximum!) Then I realized that over half the bunch had been dropped already, so I backed off and rode over the top maybe 1 min behind. We managed to catch the bunch again on the decent, but then it was the same story on the next climb, as I got dropped about 1/2 way up. This climb ended with an incredibly steep section on cobble stones, and I was actually passing a lot of riders, and catching the main pack. I went over the top with 2-3 others, and hung on while they flew down the otherside, it was great fun having the whole road as we hit speeds around 70-80kmph. By the bottom another 8-9 riders had caught us, and we were just 30sec down from the main pack. The hammer went down, and all I could do was hang on. I tried staying at the back on the group, but the others were forcing me through to the front to help once in a while. Finally someone put in a big turn, and I lost the wheel, and that was it! With only 25km left, I decided to finish the race.
When I got to the finish, they were already tearing down the banners, and cleaning up. I couldn't find any one from our team, so I had to ask some officials where to go. Finally I found them all, freshly showered, and looking like they hadn't even raced! The director sportive gave me a smile, and just said shower, pronto pronto (quick).
Next race Tuesday!
posted by
jeff lyall
9/24/2002 09:28:00 AM
Friday, September 20, 2002
Hello,
Last weekend I raced a Swiss Cup in Lugano, on the proposed course for the 2003 World Championships. After the first lap of practice, I started to get very excited... this is my kind of course! It felt like a giant MTB playground... we were just riding between awesomely fun sections of single track switchbacks, steep technical climbs, drop offs, rocky sections and tight off camber bits.
The race started much like most of mine this year, with a slow start. Its been a problem all year, and so its clear what I have to work on over the winter! But after one lap I found my rhythm again, and started catching riders. I was having a ball, riding all the sections that many riders were running, and making up time without even pedaling hard. During the 3rd lap, with out even trying that hard, I went from 7th to 2nd, and caught 20sec on the leader Christoph Sauser. It was an awesome feeling, to have the lead in sight, and still feel like you can go much harder.
Then I heard a strange noise from my rear tire... I kept riding for a while, but soon enough it was flat. I tried filling the tire with sealant, but it didn't work, and my C02 wouldn't stop so I had no air left to use in my spare tube. Race over!,
It was tough to accept, but at the same time, I was already starting to think of next year. I spoke to the organizers, and they promised me that the course will be almost identical next year, which means, with my bad luck over, I am going to have a great chance!,
,
Today I am off to Italy and will be racing the following events with Seaco...,
- 21/09 Giro del Lazio,
- 24/09 GP Industria e Commercio di Prato,
- 28/09 Giro dell'Emilia,
I'll try to write reports, so long as I have access to the net while on the road...,
,
,
All the best,,
Kashi Leuchs,
16 Av de Chambery,
74000 Annecy,
H +33 450 511 143,
M +33 673 875 717,
posted by
jeff lyall
9/20/2002 08:18:30 AM
Friday, September 13, 2002
Who could this be be? Joe 90, Maxwell Smart, or Kashi Leuchs sleuthing around for a 2003 contract. Stay tuned as Kashi cranks up the k's for his Saeco Cannondale stagiares stint.
posted by
jeff lyall
9/13/2002 10:33:25 AM
Wednesday, September 11, 2002
Kashi's podium World cup report 11/09/2002
Hi again,
When I pre-rode the course for the final World Cup of the season this week, I got a bit peed off to say the least. It was mostly just built on grass paddocks, and had very little technical sections. I knew that if it would rain like last weekend, we would have to run almost half the course. Thankfully the sun prevailed, and despite the boring course, the race ended up pretty exciting.
I had another front row start, which I have enjoyed quite a lot already this season, and it really helps to settle into a reasonable position with out spending too much excess energy. I was top 15 for the first lap, and feeling good.
Coming into the second lap I tried to take a long sweeping off camber corner at too high speed. The course was lined with spectators, and I managed to come barreling off the course straight into 3 of them, knocking them to the ground!!! I felt so bad, but all I could do was yell out sorry meanwhile I jumped back on course. Whoops!!
After that I was behind the lead pack about 20sec, and I managed to hold it there steady. Slowly riders started falling back, meanwhile I kept the same pace as Ryder Hesjedal, who was out front alone. One after the other I passed riders until with 2 laps left I found myself with my team mate Christoph Sauser, in 2nd place!!! My legs were just awesome, and I was hardly even suffering. I was able to pull Christoph upto Ryder, so it was 3 of us at the front coming into the final lap, and it was then that I started feeling light headed. I tried everything to hang onto them, but then pace was to high, and I blew. Finally Fillip Meirhaeghe (who took the overall) passed me also, and I finished 4th.
This weekend is Swiss Cup time again, when we can preview the 2003 World Championships course in Lugano! There should be a lot of good riders there, so should be a nice weekend!
Later,
Kashi
posted by
jeff lyall
9/11/2002 08:02:28 AM
Monday, September 09, 2002
TISSOT UCI WORLD CUP FINALS, LES GETS, FRANCE
SEPTEMBER 7-8, CROSS COUNTRY
Top New Zealand Mountainbiker Kashi Leuchs put the disappointment of his commonwealth games behind him when he finished 4th in the final round of the World Cup today in Les Gets France.
Leuchs turned the tables on the riders who finished 1st 2nd and 3rd in the Commonweatlh games to claim his second World Cup podium of the year.
Leuchs was still in 10th place on the third lap of the five lap race but eventually made his move to catch the early breakaway leader Ryder Hesjedal
Candadian Hesjedal hung on to win the event with Leuch's team mate Christoph Sauser second.
Leuchs 7th placing overall in the World Cup may help him to find a new team after Team Volvo Cannondale finished their sponsorship of mountainbike racing today to concentrate on yacht racing.
1. Ryder HESJEDAL, CAN, 32.5KM IN 1:55:01
2. Christoph SAUSER, SUI, 1:55:30
3. Filip MEIRHAEGHE, BEL, 1:55:50
4. Kashi LEUCHS, NZL, 1:56:05
5. Roland GREEN, CAN, 1:57:05
6. Seamus MCGRATH, CAN, 1:57:09
7. Roel PAULISSEN, BEL, 1:57:10
8. Christophe DUPOUEY, FRA, 1:57:18
9. Thomas FRISCHKNECHT, SUI, 1:57:28
10. Ludovic DUBAU, FRA, 1:57:32
posted by
jeff lyall
9/9/2002 09:14:54 AM
Friday, September 06, 2002
Hi everyone,
Worlds 02 is over, and we have the World Cup finals already this weekend! It feels strange to think we have such an important event, as everyone seems so relaxed and ready for the off-season! Last weekend was huge... perhaps the biggest Worlds I have ever seen, or at least since 1995 (Kirstarten, Germany). It was the event that MTB needed... beautiful venue, tons of spectators, brilliant racing, and perhaps the biggest ever tv coverage in the sports history.
Unfortunately the week started on a very sad note. The official media release was made to say that Volvo were going to pull out of mountain biking sponsorship, and with it, the sponsorship of our Volvo/Cannondale team. We were all aware that this was likely to happen, mostly because of Volvo's current commitment to sailing. But after 9 great years on the circuit, its still very hard to believe that Volvo/Cannondale won't be there next year! There is still a chance that Team Sports (the company that runs the team), will find a new sponsor, and we can continue in a similar fashion, which we all want! But I am also talking with other teams, and companies, trying to think of other possibilities for the coming years.
Despite all this going on, we all knew we have a couple of very important events left, and we all wanted to show Volvo, and any new potential sponsors, that we are the #1 team! Saturday started great, with Anne Caro taking another 2 rainbow jerseys in DH and 4 Cross. Cedric also rode awesome taking 4th and 2nd respectively.
Everything was shaping up for an amazing XC... the course was definitely tough enough, with seriously steep climbs and descents. I felt confident I could ride well, especially after my 4th place in the 2001 World Cup on a similar course. And then it rained!!!
I made my morning spin in the hotel room, watching the woman's race on TV. It was more like a highlights show of crashes, as one after the other girl flipped, slide out, tumbled, and were even completely dunked in a fast flowing river! Great entertainment, but a little nerve wraking considering I knew I had to get out there within a few hours!!!
I thought the course might improve for us, but in fact it just got worse.
The starting straight was just full of slushy mud, and I lost a lot of places just because I was forced into bad lines. Once we hit the first climb, everyone had to run, and I was passed by more riders again. The parts that we could ride was still all slushy, and very tough going. By the top of the first lap I was in 25th position... which basically meant I was out of the real race. I feel I am improving in these conditions, but I obviously have a long way to go!
Anyway, I might have been further back then I wanted, but it was still the Worlds, and I had to give everything I had, no matter what! I made good time riding the downhill's, making the most of my 100mm Lefty suspension, and powerful Magura disc brakes (many riders had no brakes after 2 laps!). But the sticky mud pulled me backwards up the tough climbs. Slowly I worked my way forward, riding much of the time with a friend of mine, Silvio Bundi. By the final lap we were having our own little battle, for 14th place. I had the lead, but with 1km to go I managed to wipe out, headfirst into a tree! I could hardly believe I had no damage (thank you Bell Helmet!!!), and I lost our little contest.
Upfront Roland Green managed to defend his rainbow jersey, in what sounded like a fantastic battle with Fillip Meragher and Thomas Frischknecht. Quite a few top riders did not finish the race, including Christoph Sauser and Miguel Martinez. The woman's race was won by Gunn-Rita Dahle, which was well deserved after being close quite a few times previously.
Kashi
posted by
jeff lyall
9/6/2002 08:26:46 AM
Monday, September 02, 2002
Some results from the World Champs in Austria
Mens XC
1. 1 CAN19740729 GREEN Roland CAN 2:19:02
2. 3 BEL19710305 MEIRHAEGHE Filip BEL 2:19:21 + 19
3. 12 SUI19780613 FRISCHKNECHT Thomas SUI 2:20:47 +1:45
4. 7 GER19760520 FUMIC Lado GER 2:25:12 +6:10
5. 26 SUI19770203 KALBERER Thomas SUI 2:25:35 +6:33
6. 6 BEL19760427 PAULISSEN Roel BEL 2:27:29 +8:27
7. 30 ITA19650917 PALLHUBER Hubert ITA 2:27:38 +8:36
8. 15 CAN19760503 MCGRATH Seamus CAN 2:27:45 +8:43
9. 14 POL19740801 GALINSKI Marek POL 2:27:47 +8:45
10. 10 FRA19680808 DUPOUEY Christophe FRA 2:28:56 +9:54
11. 36 NED19730825 VAN DOOREN Bas NED 2:29:27 + 10:25
12. 5 ESP19780824 HERMIDA RAMOS Jose Antonio ESP 2:29:58 + 10:56
13. 8 ITA19771017 BUI Marco ITA 2:30:45 + 11:43
14. 24 SUI19780613 BUNDI Silvio SUI 2:31:06 + 12:04
15. 9 NZL19780630 LEUCHS Kashi NZL 2:31:18 + 12:16
62. 53 CAN19750512 HESTLER Andreas CAN 2:54:06 + 35:04
72. 91 NZL19760330 VINCENT Tim NZL -1Lap
87 NZL19791223 HOULTHAM Stuart NZL DNF
posted by
jeff lyall
9/2/2002 12:14:25 PM
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