One weekend, ten big events
XTERRA, ITU, 70.3 all on tap for this Sunday
By Melaina Juntti
May 16, 2008 -- After a slight lull in triathlon action last weekend, the 2008 race
season goes off the chain this Sunday, with big-time events shaking
down everywhere from Cali to Columbia. Here’s a look at what’s on tap.
First
up, the XTERRA season heats this weekend with the first of four
regional championship races of the America Tour. After competing in
various warm-up events across the globe, the world’s best off-roaders
will converge on Temecula, California, for the XTERRA West
championship, a gritty 1.5km swim, 30km mountain bike and10km trail run.
Headlining
the men’s start list at Temecula is defending West champ, Conrad Stoltz
of South Africa, who’s looking to build upon a stellar 2007 in which he
won all but one regional before taking gold at the USA championship and
Worlds. Challenging the Caveman for the West title will be last year’s
race runner-up, Mike Vine of Canada, along with perennial American
medalists Josiah Middaugh, Seth Wealing and Brian Smith. Another
candidate to stir up trouble, Aussie Andrew Noble has had a hot spring
with wins at XTERRA Saipan and XTERRA Guam and should be right in the
mix for a medal. And a late addition to Sunday's start list, 2004 U.S.
Olympian Victor Plata will toe the line in Temecula to give the
full-time XTERRA dudes a run for their money.
For the women,
look for three-time XTERRA world champion Melanie McQuaid to mop up on
Sunday--that is, if she can outrace Colorado’s Jennifer Smith, 2002
XTERRA world champion Candy Angle, superbiker Shonny Vanlandingham and
a back-in-action Danelle Kabush.
More>
Also, send Blue Bicycle's Ryan Barnett your "get well" wishes
here. Barnett was struck by a truck while warming up for a crit last weekend and remains hospitalized.