After a season of near misses, Steve Zeliadt- Starbuck’s Men’s Team Captain, takes his first win of 08’ at the North shore Circuit Race. Since Steve and I started working together, he has has been talking about getting out and WINNING. A lot of things need to go right in order to win a bike race (I say and say again) and make no mistake, a little bit of “lucky” is a part of that winning formula. That being said, being in the right place at the right time and physically and MENTALLY being able to take advantage of an opportunity has a LOT to do with preparation. The more racing you do, the more experience points you earn. The more specific AND non-specific training you do, the more conditioned you become. I’m going on and on- I do that when I get all G’d up, but I guess the point I am trying to make is that Steve- “ZEE ZOO” as I refer to him- has spent the season working hard and working smart on and off the bike. He’s sold out for his teammates at many a race and has really focused on learning to become a better bike racer, NOT just a stronger bike racer. Being a big engine is all well and good, but applying your strength and you racing abilities to a team situation can be very tricky. And since cycling is truly a team sport, learning the art of being a reliable teammate is important.

And so Zee Zoo, who has recently been on the fence about his upgrade to the Cat 3 peleton due to having no W’s to his credit BUT plenty of top finishes and a LOT of experience points, is on is way up.

As a coach, it’s always a treat to have your athletes excel- NOT just win. But I will also say that it’s REALLY sweet to get that phone call or text message that says, ‘I WON!”. Cycling is a sport of details and victories for most of us aren’t a regular happening. BUT, when we get that result we have been chasing, the many tough training and racing days that can make us question just what it is that we are doing- tend to be forgotten. AND…… we want more! And THAT’S bike racing.

Congrats to Zee Zoo and all of the other racers who get out there week in and week out and push to be the best that they can be.

BEST,
TH