THIS WEEK: Conrad Stoltz gets ready for next weekend’s XTERRA South Africa Championship, we preview the first GU Charity Bike Ride of the season in Southern California, check out video highlights from the recent XTERRA Saipan Championship, see who won the first two XTERRA Points Series races in the continental U.S., and look at the weekend’s XTERRA TV listings.

UPCOMING RACES:
4/14 – XTERRA New Zealand Championship (Rotorua)
4/14 – XTERRA South Africa Championship (Western Cape)
4/14 – XTERRA Merrimack River Trail Run (Andover, MA)
4/21 – XTERRA Arizona Xtreme (Mesa, AZ)
4/21 – XTERRA Belly of the Beast Trail Run (Knoxville, TN)
4/28 – XTERRA Ft. Yargo (Winder, GA)
4/28 – XTERRA Gator Terra (Ruston, LA)
4/29 – XTERRA Castaic (Castaic, CA)
5/20 – XTERRA West Championship (Temecula, CA)

CONRAD’S RACE (By XTERRA SA Press Release): XTERRA legend Conrad Stoltz will be the source of serious competition for participating athletes and endless excitement for spectators on Saturday, April 14 when he takes on the DUESOUTH XTERRA South African finals in Grabouw, Western Cape. Stoltz returns to the sport after serious injury and is bound to set the field alight with his blistering speed, specifically during the mountain biking leg.
According to Stoltz, his sporting career was sparked in his youth when he participated in a variety of sporting disciplines ranging from rugby to cricket, judo, tennis, running, BMX racing and off-road motorbike riding.

"I discovered triathlon as a daring 14-year-old with my dad and immediately fell in love with the sense of adventure. I turned professional after I matriculated and raced in France for six years. I was fortunate enough to compete in the first ever Olympic triathlon during the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, which was an amazing experience. A year later I discovered XTERRA and found a renewed passion for the triple discipline - only dirtier! I've been racing in the USA ever since. The mountain-biking leg is my strongest discipline and I love it the most, especially if it is tough. I like the adrenaline rush you get when you do something crazy, but also enjoy the technical aspect - memorizing the courses, making tyre selections and suspension set-up. After a professional career spanning 16 years, you need all the excitement you can get," says Stoltz.

Last year Stoltz experienced misfortune while pre-riding the XTERRA USA Championships course. "The day before the USA Champs, I was admiring the view on a downhill and went over the bars, landing on my head and breaking my back and wrist in 7 places. Even though I had to wear a back brace for two months to help my spine heal, I remained in good spirits and am very grateful for making a full recovery.”

The DUESOUTH XTERRA final in Grabouw takes place on a world-class course, which adds to the excitement of the event. The XTERRA has come to stay - it's highly addictive and becomes part of a lifestyle," reiterates Stoltz, who sports an impressive track record including two XTERRA World Champion titles, four XTERRA USA Series Titles and three XTERRA SA Champion titles.

Other top XTERRA individual men's athletes hoping to challenge Stoltz' title bid, include Lieuwe Boonstra, Dan Hugo, Iain Don-Wauchope and Kent Horner. Reigning DUESOUTH XTERRA individual women's champion Michelle Lombardi will offer other female competitors like Hanlie Booyens and Carla Germishuys tough competition.

The DUESOUTH XTERRA is the perfect endurance challenge for outdoor enthusiasts and serious athletes. Individual athletes as well as teams of three can compete in the XTERRA, which includes a 1,5km swim, 30km mountain bike route and 12km trail run. Newcomers to the sport can compete either as individuals or in 3-member teams in the DUESOUTH XTERRA LITE, consisting of three disciplines, namely a 400m swim, 14km mountain bike and 6km trail run. Sport enthusiasts and energetic runners not quite ready for the full-scale challenge of XTERRA, can whet their appetites with the 6km and 12km NEW BALANCE XTERRA Scramble.

The DUESOUTH XTERRA South African finals form part of the XTERRA Global Tour and all competitors will have the opportunity to qualify for the world championship final in Maui.

For more information visit www.duesouth.co.za or contact Andrea Scholtz at Top Events on 021 511 7130.

THE GU CRUISE: On May 19 at Vail Lake Resort in Temecula, CA the first in a series of “GU Cruise for a Cause” charity bike rides to be held in conjunction with the XTERRA West Championship and Sports Festival weekend.

The inaugural “Cruise” is set for Saturday at 11am with proceeds to benefit the San Diego Mountain Biking Association. All riders will receive a free t-shirt and swag from GU and 100% of their $20 entry fee will be donated to the SDMBA which aims to:
- Educate trail users in safe and appropriate mountain bike use
- Provide expert assistance in trail design, building, maintenance
- Maintain or regain access to suitable trails throughout the county
- Work with other trail user groups, land managers and policymakers to develop fair and responsible policies governing the use of public and private lands

SAIPAN PODCAST: XTERRA TV has produced a short highlight compilation from this year's XTERRA Saipan Championship and is now available as part of an on-going series of XTERRA podcasts. XTERRA Saipan, the crown jewel of the XTERRA Global Tour, provides an XTERRA experience like no other. The majestic island setting brings back competitors year after year to be a part of something truly special. More information and instructions on how to receive XTERRA Podcasts is available here (xterraplanet.com/podcast).

SNOVER ON TOP AGAIN: Conrad Snover started the 2007 just like he left 2006 – in the winner’s circle. The reigning 30-34 XTERRA World Champion finished the REAL Mountain Bike Triathlon in Granite Bay, CA in 1:45:40, two minutes behind XTERRA Pro Brian Astell but ahead of the rest of the field.

On the women’s side Aracelly Clouse finished 12 minutes ahead of runner-up Birgit Johnston. As always at this race, the XTERRA Community came out in force. Among the notables were XTERRA World Champions Trevor Glavin (25-29), Tim Johnston (40-44), Tom Lyons (45-49), Kent Robison (55-59), Janice Fliegler (35-39) and National Champions Birgit Johnston (35-39) and Katrin Tobin (40-44).

To check out some of the highlights click here and for complete results go here.

FANNIN IN MIAMI: Birmingham, Alabama native Casey Fannin, at the ripe young age of 46-years-old, won the XTERRA Miami points series race in North Miami, FL on Sunday. His time of 1:57:44 was nearly two minutes faster than runner-up Tomas Jiranek. On the women’s side Racheal Wood won in 2:22:05, nearly 10-minutes in front of May-li Cuypers.

Also of note, five-time XTERRA National Champion Hans Dieben traveled all the way from his home on the West Coast in Chula Vista, CA to win the 65+ division on the East Coast. Long-time XTERRA racer and Vero Beach, FL native Libby Harrow won the 55-59 division.

For complete results click here.
XTERRA TV: The Nevada Passage and XTERRA USA Championship shows are on this weekend as follows:

Date Market Station Time Show
4/7 Norfolk, VA WTKR (CBS) 12:00-1:00 pm Nevada Passage
4/7 South Bend, IN WBND (ABC) 2:30-3:30 pm XTERRA USA Championship
4/8 Waco, TX KBTX (CBS) 12:00-1:00 pm XTERRA USA Championship