Friday, July 22, 2011

2011 National XC Champs


After 4 year the National Champs come back to the place that they belong: at Paltinis, Sibiu. It is situated at 1440 m altitude, being the highest resort in Romania. It was founded by an association – Siebenbuergischer Karpatenverein (S.K.V.) – in 1894 and three villas from that period still exist.

We arrived there Friday evening but we weren't fast eno
ugh to get a ride on the course.

Saturday morning got the first ride on the course and took some photos and in the evening we get back on the course to find some faster lines on the downhill sections.

There was a lot of powdery dust, rocks, roots, everything that a course needs and the X-King tires hold up excellent. I was still fighting with the flu that kept me pretty week.

Sunday, the race day. It started to rain, so I want to keep it safe mounting the Mountain King II tires that were super reliable the week before at Azuga. After one lap the rain stopped and the soil started to dry out. I couldn't find a fast enough pace on the uphills, but I w
as pretty confident on the descends.

I've finished 10th, far from what I've want it. Congratulations to everyone but especially for Tudor who finished 4th and Eli who finished 7th. Nice ride guys !

Now I just want some days off, to fight off the cold and start again the training for the rest of the season. This was only a race, even if it was an important one, and I have to look forward the next races.

Thanks again to to Maros Sport for all the support but also to the other sponsors and partners:Ashima, Continental, Cratoni, Syntace, Joe's No Flats, Xpedo, Adidas Eyewear,Sapim,Thule,Grip Grab, Rest Wise, VDO, KMC Chains, Power Cordz, Kool Stop, Zakudoand Buff. Thanks a lot for reading and next time hope you'll read better news.

Now I will try to think at what Churchill said: A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

More photos from training and race can be found HERE

Cheers,
Vlad

Surmont MTB Challenge


I was for the first time in Azuga, a very beautiful resort located at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains, an are that can offer a lot of fun in the summer but also in the winter with the longest ski run in Romania, called Sorica.

Arriving there the day before the race, me and my team mates decided to take a run on the last part of the course.
Was a bit to hot outside and drinking cold spring water caused me a flu that worsened over the days and today, almost two weeks after hits the apogee.

The course was very challenging, a lot of singletrail, uphill on a flooded road, a lot of pushbike, but for me was the end of the beginning. I was feeling week and I couldn't keep a fast pace on the climbs even if I've enjoyed the downhills a lot.

I have finished 5th at the medium distance but I was far from the fettle that I had last weeks.

But the good thing is that I had the chance to ride the new Conti Mountain King 2.2 Race Sport and I must say that is a great tire. You will see soon a review.

Thanks again to to Maros Sport for all the support but also to the other sponsors and partners:Ashima, Continental, Cratoni, Syntace, Joe's No Flats, Xpedo, Adidas Eyewear,Sapim,Thule,Grip Grab, Rest Wise, VDO, KMC Chains, Power Cordz, Kool Stop, Zakudo and Buff. Thanks a lot for reading and next time hope you'll read better news.

I will come back again with some news regarding the National Champs.

More photos from Azuga: HERE

Dreaming for better days,
Vlad

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Duna Maraton 2011

Together with my team we thought that it's the time to race a bit outside Romania.
Duna Maraton, which is the biggest hungarian marathon was a good idea so we've registered and took the chance. It is also included in the "Intersport MTB Marathons" series with Salzkammergut Marathon from Austria and Stupava Trophy in Slovakia. Also for the hungarian riders this race counted for the national marathon championships.
As I am not a marathon
fan, I've went to the short distance, which suited me better, being similar to a XCO race.
This was the second time I have raced @ Duna Marathon after my first time in 2004. It's a long time since then. The course changed but it was fun. We had a very fast road climb but after that getting on the offroad I've felt like the fish into the water.
The course was fast but with technical descends that
put the smile on my face.
I have finished 9th overall and 3rd at my age category so coming back home with a medal is a good thing.
Thanks again to to Maros Sport for all the support but also to the other sponsors and partners:Ashima, Continental, Cratoni, Syntace, Joe's No Flats, Xpedo, Adidas Eyewear,Sapim,Thule,Grip Grab, Rest Wise, VDO, KMC Chains, Power Cordz, Kool Stop, Zakudo andBuff. Thanks a lot for reading and next time hope you'll read better news.

You can find some more photos HERE.

A post about the last race, Surmont MTB Challenge will come soon.

Stay tuned,
Vlad