Kashi signs with Bianchi
Press Release:
Kiwi cross country sensation Kashi Leuchs has confirmed that for 2004 he will be riding for the European based professional Bianchi Mountain Bike Team. This follows his successful year with Maxxis/Trek that saw him win his first ever Swiss Cup, and despite many incidents of bad luck during the World Cup season, maintain his stature as one of the world's best XC athletes, and included an impressive 7th in the UCI World Championships on the demanding technical course of Lugarno, Switzerland .

"I'm very excited about this opportunity. This is a very well establishedteam on the international circuit, with a great history of World Championship and World Cup winners. They have a very professional approach to the sport, and they will offer me all the support needed to reach my potential in this all important upcoming Olympic year, and into the future," said Kashi on his recent return from Italy, where he will also race next year in their national Italian Liquigas Cup.

The Bianchi team will also include 2003 World Cup Champion Julien Absalon who together with Kashi will focus on the World Cups, Swiss Cups, Italian Liquigas Cups, and other selected events before finishing the season with the Athens Olympics, World Championships in Les Gets, France, and the Roc d'Azur. Other team member Thomas Dietsch will focus more on the Marathon events. However, having two French team mates will certainly be a big help to Kashi who also lives permanently in France, near to his coach Benoit Nave in Annecy.

Like all top cross country riders, the Olympic Games present an extremely important opportunity and goal. Kashi recently raced an E1 category event on the near completed Olympic course, where he finished 3rd behind race winner Liam Killeen (GBR), and former Olympic Champion Bart Brentjens (NED).

"It was tough on the legs and mind to be racing that hard at the end of the season, but it was extremely valuable for me to visit the course in race conditions. I learned a lot. I feel its a very good circuit, and it reminds me a little of the past Olympics in Sydney. The tracks are clearly designed for elite level mountain biking, as it really tests the limits. There are not any extremely radical technical sections, but at race pace, the loose soil and rocky ground make it very testing. There are 3 climbs on each 6km lap, and very little time for resting. It will be a true MTB champion that wins on this course, and even though I know that I am not considered a favourite, I believe that with more comprehensive support coming from my new team during the season, and a better winter preparation than last year, I really believe I have a shot, even to win."

An even longer term goal made itself apparent two weeks back when the UCI announced that the 2006 World Championships would once again be heading to the Oceania continent, 10 years after Cairns 1996. This time in Rotorua, New Zealand, in Kashi's home country.

"It's bloody incredible!!!! I can hardly imagine how great it is going to be to race in Rotorua. Not only is this my home country, but Rotorua is like my second home in New Zealand. Its a really fun place, full of mountain bikers, a great cafe culture, and some of the best mountain bike trails on earth," said an ebullient Leuchs clearly endorsing the UCI's decision to venture out of Europe and North America for only the second time in history.

Kashi would like to acknowledge and thank his sponsors for 2003, most notably Maxxis, Trek, Oakley, Northwave, Time, Mavic, Trixter, Biolight,Bell, the New Zealand Sports Foundation, and all of his official suppliers,without whom, this year would not have been possible.

For more information:

http://www.kashileuchs.com

Martin Whiteley
Director
23 Degrees Sports Management
mailto:captain23@23degrees-sports.com
www.23degrees-sports.com

19th October Greek Cup, Athens GREECE.

With just one weeks notice, the Greek federation informed us that this race would indeed be held on the proposed Olympic course. I was not in the mood for another race, but this was very important, as it is very beneficial for us to see the course so far in advance.
The most difficult aspect of this race is the very loose, rocky soil. It makes for some pretty sketchy sections, and really favors those who can stay smooth. Bacially the course is 6km, and is comprised of 3 climbs and 3 descents. It was very tough to race, as there was almost no easy rest sections, and the rough ground made it very physical.
My form and motivation was definitely lacking, but it seemed it was the same with most others. I made a good move on the 2nd lap, and split the leading group into two. I was riding with Liam Killen and Bart Brentjens for 3 laps, but finally Liam was just pulling too hard, and I could not hang on. By this point we had made a good lead, so I just rode tempo and still finished 3rd. Liam was riding awesome, both on the climbs and descents, and finally dropped Bart too. It proved to me that this is a good course, and it will be a true mountain biker that will win and no try-hard roadie geek!
After the race I went with Phillip Tavell to the Acropolis... wow! When you start to learn a little more, you realize what a truly incredible place this is, and just how much history has been set here. From the Acropolis we also had a view of the ancient Olympic stadium... Its going to be pretty amazing next September!!!




12th October Roc d'azur, Frejus FRANCE

A huge fire during the hot summer had burnt most of the forest in the area of the race. It was quite an eerie experience riding through the black charcoal trees, as everything was silent and a bit spooky. The race was fast as always. I thought my form was still excellent, but its just amazing how fast the French riders go at this race. Of course, it is probably there biggest event for the year, but still! Jean-Christoph Peraud won, with Miguel Martenez second! Miguel is planning a return to mountain bike to defend his Olympic title, but I have my doubts if he will be fast enough so soon. The road and MTB are pretty different!!! I was riding with Thomas Deitsch and Bart Brentjens for the first half of the race, but finally the speed just blew me to pieces. I finished the race on my own, and managed to enjoy the beautiful views of the Mediterranean sea, and rocky landscapes. After the race I also signed a contract for my new team... more news soon!!!

2006 World Championships, Rotorua, New Zealand !
Thank you Dave and Shreeve... you're the best!

27-28 Sep - SWISS POWER CUP SC 3rd / XC 3rd

This weekend the Swiss Power Cup tried something new, following the NORBA series lead, and adding a Short Track race for the Pro riders. The main difference was that here we had to race the short event on Saturday, and the XC on Sunday.

With all the important races over, most of the riders were not taking it all too seriously anymore. Most people were relaxed, and more interested in socializing then really racing hard. But it was still an E1 race, with excellent prize money, so well worth putting in an effort for!

The Short Course track was mostly road, but then had a little grassy section where we could take the options of cutting corners, but having to bunny-hop over logs. Personally I don't like this too much, but I guess the spectators found it entertaining to see some crashes! The race stayed together almost until the end, when Florien Vogel attacked meanwhile his team mate, Thomas Frishcnechkt held up the bunch. It was a smart move and won them the race. I sprinted for 2nd with Thomas, but finally he was much stronger.

On Sunday the course had very little to get excited about... gravel roads and easy single track meant that bunch riding would again be common. I still had good legs, and tried to attack a lot on the first two laps. Finally I made a brake away together with Thomas and Christoph Sauser. With 2 laps to go Christoph put down the hammer, and I was blown. I was yo-yoing off the back of them, and finally just finished 10sec down.


www.swisspowercup.ch

Swiss Power-cup 28/09/03

Frischknecht Thomas 1:30:45 2 Feldbach Swisspower Mountainbike-Team 1. 70 100 405
Sauser Christoph 1:30:51 3 Sigriswil Siemens Canondale + 00:06 2. 76 80 80
Leuchs Kashi 1:30:55 5 Neuseeland + 00:10 3. 78 70 212
Fruet Martino 1:31:18 6 Italien Italia + 00:33 4. 77 65 65
Kugler Andreas 1:32:17 13 Frasnacht Giant Suisse + 01:32 5. 79 62 319
Dilger Andreas 1:32:17 44 UCS Stuttgart + 01:32 6. 78 60 171
Manetsch Reto 1:32:48 12 Buchs SG Athleticum MTB Team + 02:03 7. 80 59 284
Bundi Silvio 1:33:02 8 Chur Athleticum MTB Team + 02:17 8. 78 58 353
Frech Frederic 1:33:24 11 Chatenois Scott Allianz Suisse Michelin + 02:39 9. 76 57 437
Spichtig Thomas 1:33:27 14 Schaffhausen Rocky Mountain + 02:42 10. 79 56 157

Short Race
1 Florian Vogel 82 Kölliken Swisspower Mountainbike-Team 2/3/0/2 7 0:24:54
2 Thomas Frischknecht 70 Feldbach Swisspower Mountainbike-Team 5/0/5/0 10 0:24:59
3 Kashi Leuchs 78 Neuseeland 0:25:00
4 Martin Gujan 82 Pragg-Jenaz Athleticum 0/5/0/0 5 0:25:01
5 Christoph Sauser 76 Sigriswil Siemens Canondale 3/2/0/0 5 0:25:03
6 Daniel Solèr 74 Chur Swiss Arrow Bike Team 0/0/3/0 2 0:25:04
7 Liam Killeen 82 Grossbritanien 0:25:05
8 Andreas Kugler 79 Frasnacht Giant Suisse 0/0/3/0 3 0:25:07
9 Jan Ramsauer 75 Rumlikon VC Hittnau 0:25:08
10 Simon Richli 80 Osterfingen Rocky Mountain 0:25:09