Fast,
Fierce and Still Half Night-blind, Vail's Nat Ross is Motivated
to Win the 24 Hours of Moab |
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MOAB, Utah (October 11, 2006) Nat Ross (Subaru/Gary Fisher) seeks a hat-trick victory this weekend at the 12th Annual 24 Hours of Moab. A win at Moab would top off an already triumphant season and earn Ross the series title in the 2006 24 Hour National Points Series, plus line his pockets with a couple thousand extra bucks in addition to the prize money for winning Moab alone. For obvious reasons, this matters a lot to Ross, 35, who will need to peer into the future to see what life looks like for a retired pro bike racer. He claims to have five more years of world-class racing in him and, given his breakout performances this year, that's not hard to believe. Since undergoing Lasik surgery to correct vision in his left eye following last year's 24 Hours of Moab, Ross now sees clearly the effect that improved eyesight has had on his career. The right eye is scheduled for surgery the week after this year's race. So far this season Ross has celebrated successes in the Race Across America, a 2nd place at NORBA Nationals, and two Points Series qualifying wins at the 24 Hours of Temecula in April and the 24 Hours of Landahl in September. "My season so far has run super smooth," said Ross. "I won my practice/warm-up/tuner 24-hour race in April and scored major points toward the 24 Hour National Points Series by winning Landahl. I feel a lot of my mid-season success came from the fitness I gained by competing in Race Across America in June; my legs have never been this strong. If things go as planned, I would like to carry my winning streak through Moab." The 15-mile racecourse at Moab has a reputation as one of the most challenging courses in the world with fabled rock ledges, sandy descents, and 1,360 feet of climbing on each lap. No stranger to Moab's course, Ross returns for the seventh time and will attempt to reach the top of the podium again (he won the solo category in 2004). Should he match the 17 laps that earned him second place during last year's 24 Hours of Moab, then he will have ridden 255 miles with 23,120 vertical feet of climbing. This year will be different though. For the first time ever, Ross will actually be able to see Moab's course during the night. Due to severe night-blindness, past protocol for Ross was to forge a white-hot pace during daylight in order to open up a lead that he surely knew would slip at night.
While his campaign to win Moab a second time gets a boost from better vision, Ross will be under constant pressure applied by a name nearly synonymous with endurance racing. The last time Tinker Juarez raced against Ross at Moab in 2003, he won while Ross snatched the third podium spot. "Racing against Tinker is the real deal," Ross said. "For me to consider it a "World Class" race, the endurance event must have either Tinker Juarez or Chris Eatough. Without one of these guys racing, the competition is just not the same. Tinker is a true icon in the sport and has taken 24-hour racing to new heights. I really enjoyed doing RAAM with him - it was cool to have so many mountain bikers amongst the best roadies from around the world!" The other sleeved ace for this year's race will be a debut set of Bontrager 29" tubeless tires. Tubeless technology for 26" wheels has existed for years, yet a design for 29" wheels didn't exist until master craftsman, Keith Bontrager, created the prototype. "It's a natural extension of what we have been doing on 26" wheels, so it isn't that tricky," said Bontrager. "But now the guys riding 29ers will definitely benefit from the advantages the guys riding 26" wheels take for granted."
Bontrager developed Tubeless Ready technology to improve upon existing tubeless systems. Tubeless Ready tires offer a secure bead to rim interface like standard tubeless tires, but are 100 grams lighter per tire. They work in conjunction with sealant to provide a lightweight seal and flat protection that significantly improves performance. What this means to Ross this weekend is a lighter, quicker ride with fewer flats. Ross will make every effort to minimize headaches that might threaten his victory campaign. Headaches like mechanical failures, inadequate nutrition, weather, and crashes could puncture Ross' aspirations in a blink if he doesn't attend to each element of the race with near-neurotic diligence. That Nat Ross has never had a bad day stymies those around him including friends, fellow racers, and even the occasional bleary-eyed, sleep-deprived race reporter seeking a few quotes at the end of a 24-hour race. In reality, only those closest to him see through the veneer that masks a crappy day. "That's one thing that's always amazed me about him," said Janis Sandlin, Ross' girlfriend for the past five years. "I can tell when he's having a bad race because I know him so well, but to most other people he comes off as the happiest guy out there even if he is suffering. He might be having a really bad race, yet he hides it well when he's talking to people." Sandlin will be racing this weekend too on the four-woman expert team "Tough Girls," for which Ross is director sportif. Ross helped found the Tough Girls in 2005 and his experience as a pro athlete plus his savvy charm dress up the team with a level of professionalism rare for a first year team. The Tough Girls team of Sandlin, Cristina Begy, Catherine Chalecki, and Lynn Bush will be hard to miss in the signature pink team kits that will set the course ablaze in Moab.
The 2006 24 Hours of Moab will be Ross' 34th 24-hour race. No one - not even Juarez - has been able to match that number. With Ross showing no signs of slowing, there should be no doubt that he'll be able to outpace, outpedal and even outkick Juarez and the others this weekend. With so much to win this weekend, Ross will be a marked man at Moab. He will be keeping a close watch over his competition too, to see to it that they stay safely behind him. To win, he will need to fend off stealthy attacks from: Nick Martin (Trek/VW) Each of his opponents are veterans of 24 Hours of Moab and therefore know how to race (and win). However, in many ways it's a brand new race for Ross this year, one that he aims to win. To witness his bid for the top podium spot, log onto www.grannygear.com starting at noon, Mountain Time, this Saturday and click on "History & Results" to follow the race online. To meet Ross in person, drop by the Chile Pepper Bike Shop in Moab this Friday, October 13 from 1-3 pm, where Ross and Juarez will be guests at a pre race shindig in advance of the showdown on Saturday. Visit www.chilebikes.com for more information.
About
Tough Guy Productions: TGP is recognized as an authentic promoter and integral part of the ski industry with support from every significant manufacturer. Known worldwide as the most influential promoter of new-school telemark skiing. TGP created the competition circuit for telemark competitions and founded the governing body in 1995 and has been making progressive ski movies for the past six years. To get involved with and connect with the intangible assets of the mountain action sports lifestyle, visit toughguyproductions.com About
Gary Fisher Bicycles: ### For more information or to set up an interview with Nat Ross, contact him directly at 970-390-9730 or nat@toughguyproductions.com
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