Honest I did…
I just got back from columbia…and the greatest thing. I WON a World Cup. I don’t like to blow my own horn but this particular win…is worth talking about.
You may search the cycling websites across the net and likely not find a picture or mention? But that is my style..when ever I do well I seem to be wearing an invisible cape. Get no love.
AND got no medal…heard no anthem and didn’t get to stand on the podium…really makes you reflect on why you ride the bike…and you know I think it is a good thing to not be absorbed in others cheering your victory…it was nice to just reflect on it myself.
Here is how it went down.
I sat back early in the race to watch who was antsy and willing to put in work early. The Spanish rider, British rider and myself were all tail gunning just letting things unfold. Then about 15 or 20 laps in Rob Hayles (brit) went on the attack, the spanish followed and I did the same. The group grew to about 6 or 8 and we took a lap. As we arrived at the group the spanish rider and I rode straight through again. we rode it up to half a lap and were making good progress when !!BOOOM!! my back tire blew out in the back straight. I get to play rodeo cowboy for about 80 m then fall on my but. Tanya makes a rear wheel change in 4 laps… Great…I am back in. and at this time 3 others have joined the spanish rider. The thing is these other guys assume I am lapped I jump in and we get around again. Then as the race is winding down I take an attack at about 12 to go. None of them come with? The all think I am down not up. The officials are all indicating I am wining. The announcers do the same. HMMM strange decision. As the race winds down I hold off the group and take my win. The protests take about 2 hours and I find out I officially win while in doping control. The biggest win of my life celebrated by peeing into a cup. Oh well guess if I wanna hear the anthem I will just have to do it again.
2 Comments
Bryan D on December 16th, 2008
Huge congrats Zach, I was watching with great interest and am super stoked for you.
Chris Sparling on December 15th, 2008
..well I noticed. AND I am super-pumped for you. Congratulations!!!!!!! The lack of media attention to accomplishments like yours drives me nuts. I will be writing ANOTHER letter to the editor and sports editor of the local papers. They are so frickin’ narrow in their scope of coverage. They show no initiative, interest or insight into anything but hockey and football. Trained babboons could do a better job of sports coverage in this country. But I digress. Congratulations Zach.