Chipotle Titus in Japan

Where the carbon meets the mud:

Racing in Japan
Kenji winning the pro field

Thomas Dooley is racing his white X in Japan - Chipotle/Titus's first Japanese race. He is on his Titus X, Crankbrothers Cobalt wheels & Schwalbe Racing Ralphs - well suited for the mud. He ran into a Japanese friend, Kenji, we met last year at the Nova Cup in Arizona. Here is Thomas' race report.

Survived a 5 lap mud & grass fest more like cyclocross then mountain biking. All 65 experts 20 and over were run together. Ended up 19th overall.

Slipped on the mud and bruised my ribs on lap 3. Fell again running in the mud through the woods on lap 4. Ended up a muddy, pummelled mess. Little Japanese guys ripping up short hills like they we’re nothing with my big diesel slogging and grunting. Best part was at the end (the race only lasted 1:20). Some guy tried to take me on the last climb and I buried him in the pain cemetery. Seems like I had plenty of endurance but no quickness...and my power did little to help me in the grass and mud. And if you went to fast on what little downhill was there you risked your life...there was usually a slippery hairpin at the bottom of each one.

I also had to start in last position because they base your start position on past results. I passed half the guys on the paved track at the start and the first hill...but after that it got tricky. Mostly tight, muddy and grassy singletrack except for a few portions and at the finish. After the 3rd lap it was pure suffering survival.

A Canadian guy our age named Mark Parker was very strong and finished fourth about 5 minutes up. He’s a friend of Richard Knaap and has been living a little South of Nagano for 16 years working for Epson. Hogan might have been able to hold his wheel, but he has this Japanese racing thing pretty dialed. What’s funny is he doesn’t look it. Can’t judge a book by it’s cover....

Kenji raced elite. He was winning when we left. Very smooth, amazing rider. I have some video of him as well as some of my sorry ass. Shigemi talked with him as they we’re watching me race. She invited him to come to Colorado to ride and he seemed very interested... That would be a blast. He’s a really nice guy. I said “go Kenji!” at the start of his race and he said a polite “thank you”....then most the pack started laughing.

It hurts when I yawn.

Thomas