The Redbull TimeOut.
Full results
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4 Days, 5 Islands, 21hrs MTB Racing, 550km with 10km elevation gain! Had I known before how difficult this race would be, I would never have believed myself capable of finishing. Each day the terrain changed, from high mounting passes and dense forest tracks, to long flat desert crossings and riding through the lava remains of an ancient volcano.
It was a great relief to leave the chaos of home... moving stress, computer work, and last minute packing. We were to spend the first two nights at the Villa Del Monte, relaxing and preparing for the event. It was a nice surprise that this hotel was anything but normal. Petra, our host, enjoyed doing things the local way, so we were able to enjoy all the wonderful fruits and vegetables that grew locally. Everything was set to cater for cyclists, including a guided MTB ride down to Las Palmas on the first day with Carmello, who also raced (and finished) the race. My only major concern for the race was that I had only finished final tuning my new Trek Fuel the day before. This was to be the first major test for many new parts, and also my personal mechanical skills!
The Volcan de Tenagua was the home for all the riders and people following the race for five nights. Onboard the ferry we had everything we needed... showers, a good cafeteria, a team of physio's giving each rider a long massage, small rooms to sleep, and a big outside barbecue/party area. Each night, while we were busy preparing ourselves, the boat transported us to the next island.
Day 1 - Gran Canary
85km + 45km neutral - 5.14hrs - 163AvHR - 3286m elevation – 5th place
After an easy one hour "neutral" section, the race kicked off at a leisurely pace. The top riders gathered around the head of the pack, including the Swedes, last years winner Phillip Tavell and Kim Eriksson, and two Maxxis Spain riders Marti Gespert and Alejandro Diaz de la Pena. Ten kilometers into the race, my fears became reality, as a sharp stone ripped the sidewall of my Maxxis "Larson Mimo," and of course my CO2 cartridge head leaked, so I was left standing on the side of the course begging for a pump! After 10min stuffing around, I was back on my bike... then, riding with my head down, I missed a course marking... 10min later I was back on course again, just to puncture a second time after 30km. Luckily the race assistance was just down the road, and I was able to change tires and continue.
Feeling like the race was already over, I decided to just enjoy myself. I mean hey, this was the Canary Islands, why stress! I started to realize how amazing the scenery was around me. Starting from the postcard perfect sand beaches we rode alongside huge gorges and cannons, and climbed high up into the mountain of Pico de Las Nieves. The tracks became so difficult that it was nearly impossible to ride some sections. At one point we had to walk for almost 2km up a dried out riverbed! As the stage continued, I realized how tough this terrain was on the riders. My steady tempo paid off, as all the other riders blew up, and I rode on by. By the end I finished in 5th position!
Myself, Kim and Philip
And we're off...
The assistance guys helping me to change my ripped tire.
A lot of walking... if you think I looked tired, imagine the others!
Day 2 - Tenerife
95km + 25km neutral - 5.32hr – 148AvHR - 3228m elevation – 4th place.
Half way up the 2300m climb to the Observatorio Del Teide, the rain clouds rolled in, and the temperature, which was over 25dC at the start, dropped to below 5dC ! By this stage we had all adopted our own rhythm, and we were climbing alone up the steep sandy, gravel roads. I had my rain jacket on, but was still cold climbing! For a brief moment near the top, the skies opened up, and we had a wonderful view of the volcanic landscape near the top. 3hrs into the race, we finally reached the top. I was just behind my two Maxxis team mates, Marti and …
The fog was thick as I fueled up at the feed station, but I just assumed that the sun would come out again on the way down… I mean who has heard of cold rain on Tenerife? Well, now I have! The rain just got stronger and stronger, until we were completely drenched. The fog was so thick that I could not see more then 10m ahead. I began to shake so hard that I could not see straight anymore… I had to slow down, as I was scared that if I crashed, it could be seriously dangerous. By the bottom of the 2000+m decent, and almost 5hrs on the bike, I was starting to wonder what the!?*%#! we were doing out here. With 10km remaining on the course an official riding a motorbike came beside me and told me to stop… the race had been cancelled, and the times would be taken at the top of the mountain. (Meaning that Philip won) I didn’t care about this.. I just wanted to get warm. Finally we were picked up in a jeep and taken to a nearby restaurant, where we huddled in front of an open fire, and ate everything they could feed us.
Day 3 - Fuerteventura
109km + 56km neutral – 5.10hr – 151AvHR - 1698m elevation – 5th place.
After the drama on Tenerife, I decided that it would be better to stop this race, before I get sick. Then the organizers decided to increase the distance from 130km to 157km! I had to laugh… were they serious? I told them that I was pulling out unless they shorten the stage to 100km, and finally with some help from Philip, they agreed to 109km. Good thing too, as even like this, almost every rider came across the finish line completely wasted.
The island of Fuerteventura was completely different to the previous two. This was much more desert like, and instead of worrying about the freezing rain, I had to make sure to use enough sunscreen, as we had at least 25-30dC, and perfect blue sky.
The pace up front was actually pretty decent, but then we sat up and rode really easy at times too, meaning that a few slower riders were able to finish in the front group. The organizers had told us that the stage was flat, but really that just meant that there were no climbs over 200m, but there were also almost no sections of flat! Also, the roads and tracks were rough, and I think everybody was really feeling every rock by the end. Finally, it ended up in a sprint, which was once again not my strong point! Philip won and Kim got second!
Sun, Sand, and Sweat !
Day 4 - Lanzarote
86km + 35km neutral – 3.48hr – 147AvHR – 1628m elevation – 4th
This was the stage I was most looking forward to, as we were to ride through the famous volcanic lava rocks. This is also the venue for the iron man, and a huge international sporting complex. I was happily relieved that my legs were able to start again today… never in my life have I pushed my body as hard as the past 3 days, and I had no idea how it would respond to another long day here. It was another spectacular stage, and with long time gaps between the riders, there was little pressure in the results. We rode along amazing coast lines, through the rough black lava rocks, and up into the vast open desert like mountains.
Helena was able to follow to assist Kim and myself with feeding in one of the approx 10 jeeps, together with 2 photographers. They had quite the adventure as well trying to keep up! On most days they stayed on the course feeding all the riders as they suffered through the stages.
Here we pass through the lava rock on Lanzarote.
More from Lanzarote.
Day 4 - La Graciosa
10km – 0.35hr – 167AvHR - 184m elevation – 3rd
For most of the riders in the tour, the biggest challenge was to make it ”on time” for the 3pm departure to La Graciosa. Missing this boat would mean no final stage in the tour. About 30 riders made it, and we lined up for the final 10km timetrial. I rode hard out, even though I really didn’t need to. It was a pretty cool feeling to finish this race… and my final 3rd overall was not too bad either. Philip was clearly the strongest and deserved his win, and Marti was also well deservant of his 2nd place. Kim ended up in 5th. Never before have I ridden so many hours on a bike in 4 days, let along on such tough, beautiful terrain… thinking back to the previous stages, it all felt like a long blur of gravel roads, blue skies, deserts, freezing rain, palm beaches, plush suspension, mussel ache, new friends, and just pedaling, pedaling, pedaling!
I must say too, that I was super content with my new bike, and my own mechanical skills. After 26hrs and over 500km off road riding, the only parts I had to change were 1 tire, and 2 cables! But most of all, I can now confirm what a great bike the Trek Fuel really is. The rear suspension is working seriously well, yet the bike climbs awesome. As for the tires, to have just one ripped sidewall in such a long rough race, that is actually very good. I rode the tour on the new Maxxis Igniter UST tires, and I can definitely say that this tread pattern and rubber compound is working a treat. These might well be my choice for the world cups, especially if they are dry races.
The final night, meanwhile we crossed the ocean back to Gran Canary, everyone gathered on deck for the Redbull “drag queen” show, and a fun award ceremony. Then with no land in site, they cranked up the music, opened the bar, and partied down. When I came to breakfast in the morning, I noticed many people still in their party clothing… no one wanted these days to end!
One of the Drag Queens
This is one trophie I defintly had to work for!
The organizers wanted to create the toughest race on earth, and I believe they achieved this. For pro racers, it was probably too tough, but with a few adjustments in length, I truly believe that this event could have a huge future. The concept is original, exciting, and the media loves it, so why not? I will definitely try to come back again next year.
