Monday, June 23, 2008

Medias Marathon

This was the first marathon race in Romania this year. That's because the Ciuc Marathon was canceled... don't ask me why.

We got in Medias Friday evening with my team and our sponsor Maros Tudor, but the action started Saturday at 10:30 when was the start of the race. I was very optimistic, because I was feeling pretty well.

After a few kilometers a group of 3 riders, decided to escape. It wasn't a big problem because the race was long and I had the time to get back to them. And so it was. Got back in front and I was leading the race confidently... until I saw my tire ... I had a flat ... my 'luck' was that the air got out pretty slow and I had the time to run like that on the road section (about 5 km). I let the group that was chasing me to catch me and I've stayed behind them preparing my Co2 pump and resting, because I knew that I have to stop and to inflate the tire. I was worried not to get the tire off the rim, but I got it. I managed to reach the last check point. I've stopped and I've fixed the tire (just inflated it), after that I prayed to stay inflated till the end of the race. The 20-30 seconds that I've lost repairing the tire were regain pretty soon. After I got back in front with Bogdanescu Laurentiu (from Lugoj), I tried to rest a bit and not to force to run, because I knew that he can't pass me on the last descend or at the sprint.


So we got together in Medias and he tried to run 2 or 3 times. I didn't let him and when I saw the finish line (about 300m) I've pushed myself to the limit and won the final sprint.





This was my first victory with a sprint and I am very happy about it. I am also happy for the way I was riding, gaining confidence and motivation. My training is going pretty well (thankx to my coach Gabee)and I hope for the National championships to get a medal, or at least points for racing in the World Cup from Schladming. Now I just need a few days to rest, sleep and eat well. What I am still sorry s that I didn't make it


I would like also to say a big thank you to the team sponsor Maros Tudor (from MarosSport), to the guys from Cannondale, Met, Continental, Selle Italia, Xpedo, Sapim, Syntace, VDO and to the rest of my sponsors and collaborators for the great race material and motivation that they are offering me . I would also like to thanks to my parents and Simona for the extra motivation.

I have new photos from the others race and I'll post them soon. I'll let you know also. When I'll get more photos from Medias, I'll post them too.

Thank you once again and ride hard.



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Wednesday, June 11, 2008

All Rize to new Moto

In the 6th number of the bike magazine MBike, is an article for the new Cannondale brothers: Rize and Moto. The presentation contains information about them and the new technologies used.








































The MOTO
On the face of it, mountain bike designs change very little. But on the face of a mountain, yesterday's pedestrian, boring designs can make or break the quality of a ride. Which means the ideal bike is one that's light and nimble enough to ride on single-track, with the burly qualities of a big mountain rig. Cannondale's MOTO showcases revolutionary technologies that shave weight and boost strength. It's an all-new breed of mountain bike that's so versatile it defies categorization.

At the MOTO one of the technologies used is the HATCHET DRIVE
Revolutionary "Hatchet Drive" 160mm floating shock technology liberates the frame from traditional top-tube mounted, single-pivot suspension systems. :: Force Dispersion Technology of the Hatchet Drive design re-distributes shock forces towards the head tube, the strongest junction on the bicycle frame, and to the bottom bracket providing longevity and durability. :: Exclusively tuned suspension developed by shock engineers at Cannondale and Fox.



But the RIZE is the Swiss Army knife of the trail bike world. It's a bike that brings all-new metalforming technology to the industry, and combines it with carbon-fiber fabrication techniques. It uses a dreamy-riding multi-pivot suspension with 130mm of balanced travel. The means that riders can use it as a do-it-all rig, whether you're riding notoriously gnarly rock gardens in the Northeast or the gently rolling foothills of the inter-mountain West.

There you can see the BACKBONE TECHNOLOGY
- Industry first 3D forged "BackBone" combines BB30 Si bottom bracket, lower pivot, and double-butted seat tube into a three dimensionally forged part.
- Stronger and stiffer than three separately welded pieces.
- 3D forging process properly aligns grain structure for longer fatigue life.
- One structure assures proper alignment between bottom bracket and pivots.

For more information you can check the Cannondale web site which is one click away



I am also proud to see myself in the Cannondale commercial in the same MBike magazine.

This is promoting Cannondale and the official dealer for Romania Maros Sport.

It had a pretty big impact because a lot of people and friends saw me in the magazine and congratulated me for this, but also they asked about the new Cannondale bikes.

So what I am waiting now is that the number of Cannondale owners to increase in Romania like the snails after the rain :-)

I'll keep you informed, 'til them push the pedal to the metal.



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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Concordia Cup

Me and my team decided to go the last week end at Lugoj, to race at the Concordia Cup. We arrived there pretty late, so I couldn't see the course before the race. I say that I couldn't see the course because the rest of my team mates race there 2 years ago and they remember it. I didn't saw this as a problem.




I had a fast start, and after that I let my mates to go in front of me to know what will come. In the first lap a chain problem made me to loose a few seconds, but I got them back until the second lap. Then I continued the race with my team mate Tudor (at that moment Eli, another team mate was leading the race), until the last lap, when the chain felt off the crank and he won about 100 meters. I pushed so hard to get him but it was impossible so I managed to finish 3rd (1st in the U23 Category).

Anyway for me is pretty good, because I can see a big progress in my training and I feel really strong, but here the muddy conditions made the course a bit difficult and I felt 3 times (2 of them were in deep mud :D ). I can say also that the course was pretty technical on the muddy descends and hard climbs on grass.

I am also happy because me and my team conquered all the podium place (well... the first 5 places).

I need too adjust a few things and I hope that for the National Championships to get a medal.

I also would like to say a big thank you to all my sponsors for making possible everything, at my family and friends for the support.

The rest of the album you can see it here and I'll be happy if you'll visit it !

Usually I don't fall, or I don't have photos when I fall of my bike, but this is an exception, so I'll post the picture.


And here is the Elite podium








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