Phil Zajicek

‘09 wrapup

// October 21st, 2009 // pz racing

Time to wrap thing up on ‘09 and begin to look towards another season, 2010!  It has only been a few days since my final race and I have yet to return back home but already the motivation to get out and build on this year’s success is building.

After my win at Gila last May I shifted focus towards the latter part of the year, went back home to Boulder and rested and recuperated for a bit before starting things back up for Beauce.  All was going decently well at Beauce, riding for the team in a support role and getting 2nd in the tt despite a broken shift lever, when I had a horrible crash on the races penultimate day.  A botched wheel change left me sailing though the air unexpectedly and straight onto my hip.  Fortunately nothing broken but 3 weeks off the bike and a daunting task of building form in time for Utah and US Nationals.  Working hard with my coach, Dirk Friel, we laid out a plan that would see me back on top of my game just in time for Utah.  My first race back after the hip injury was to Cascade, definitely the most fun race of the year for me.  Elizabeth and I went out early and had a blast exploring Portland then Hood River before making our way to beautiful Bend, OR.  A good low key race to get back in to the rhythm before the real training began in earnest for UT.  Lots of time spent above 9,000′ up on peak to peak and hours and hours behind the motor.  Rolled in to Utah feeling confident and ready, the racing went well but came up just a bit short in the end.  A fifth overall for myself and the final crit for Bernie so overall not a bad week.  Had the opportunity to spend time with Edge Composites as well while in Utah, quite the amazing operation they have going in Utah!  A brief rest before heading out to Nationals which went decently, 7th in the tt and 8th in the rr.  Felt great in the rr but came up just a bit short in the end, with a lap to go I thought I was in with a chance to win but the legs just gave out a few km’s from the line.  A disappointment to come so close but happy with how I felt for a one day race.

With my big objectives over with I allowed myself a nice weeks rest at home before ramping things back up with some long mountain rides.  Three weeks after nationals I was on my way to Australia, first time this year heading overseas.  Flew in style on the new V Australia line, my first ride internationally on Virgin.  Pretty amazing planes, as comfortable as one could hope a 14 hr flight would be.

First off was Tasmania, a few days to acclimate to the time change then a pretty ambitious one day race from Launceston to Hobart.  Over 200km, 90 kph winds, a 20km climb covered in snow with a pelting rain at the base.  Nice easy race to ease into things after my flight!  Only 6 riders finished under some bizarre circumstances, our Tasmanian native, Bernie Sulzberger, took the win in style.  Tour of Tasmania started off straight afterwards and fortunately the weather improved slightly.  No snow but plenty of wind and rain.  Tour of Tas was setup unlike any other race I have ever done.  6 days of racing, 11 stages.  Normal routine was race from 11-1, 1-2:30 change clothes and get some calories in, 2:30-4 race number two.  Made for some hard days and some much needed intensity in the legs.  The team rode amazingly well together and we rallied to get the hometown Bernie the win, Ben Day and myself rounded out the top 5 in 4th and 5th.

A few days downtime in Melbourne-one of my top favorite cities in the world-then time for the Sun Tour.  Final race for the year and a solid one. Gone are the days of the Sun Tour being a low stress, easy race.  This year was full on from km 0 every day.  Plenty of wind to break things up to a select front group.  Pretty flat edition this year so it was one for the sprinters.  I did my best to help a flying Jonny Cantwell who bookended the race with victories and ended up 3rd overall, 9th for me and an awesome way for Fly V to finish off the season.  Really great to be racing on our sponsor’s home soil and to be with a team that rode so well.

A final week in Brisbane for me before I can head back home after a long 5 weeks on the road. Meeting with sponsors and putting things in place for 2010.  Going to be another great year I think.