Race Cyclocross!

After a spring time hiatus, we’re back with a CPQ from two time US national cyclocross champion Todd Wells. Todd captured the US cross titles in 2001, and again in 2005 and is always a contender. We’ve got a couple of questions about this years goals, and then on to the questionnaire.

What are your goals this season?
To have a strong World Cup, World Championship and National Championship. To make the Olympic Long team.

Going for UCI points for the Olympics?
Yes. The US will either get to send 2 or 3 riders to the Olympics based on how we do as a country this year. That means the top 3 guys in UCI points have to be high up so our country is ranked in the top 5. Then we can send 3 riders.

Planning on a full cx season again?
I will do quite a few US cross races but just until Nationals. I shut it down after that to take a break.

Ever planning on heading over to Europe for some cx racing?
I raced cross in Europe back in 2002. I did a World Cup and the World Championships in Belgium. It was fun but I had my worst MTB season ever after that. We start up on the mountain bike in March so I need to stop and take a break sometime.

1. How old are you?
31

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
I grew up in Kingston, NY and I now live in Durango CO.

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
I started racing BMX when I was 5 yrs old and did that until I was 16. I didn’t even start riding mtbs until I was 18. I started racing as an elite when I was 21 or 22, then I took 3 years off to go to school and get a real job. I guess that means I’ve been racing as an elite for 9 years.

4. What was your first bicycle?
Some crappy Huffy I broke in my yard on some tiny rock jump.

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
Like I said, I grew up racing BMX and then switched to the MTB when I was 18. I thought I would race dual slalom and dh but found out I was better at XC.

6. Describe your first exposure to cyclocross.
I threw a mountain bike together with drop bars and did the Super Cup in Boston back in 1998? I got lapped by Gully and all the other top guys. I sucked.

7. Would you consider yourself a cross specialist?
No. I enjoy racing cross but I don’t focus on it. It’s funny b/c I don’t put much emphasis on it but I seem to do the best at it.

8. Do you race full time? If not, what other job(s) do you have?
Full time. I think I was maybe home for 10 full weeks all of last year.

9. Did you go to college? If so, what was your major?
Yes I graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor Degree in Management Information Systems.

10. Describe the first time you shaved your legs.
I was living in NY and everyone thought I was gay because I was shaving my legs. Cycling isn’t very big there so people don’t really get it.

11. Do you have any tattoos, and/or piercings?
Just a bunch of scars.

12. Pre race rituals?
Eat 3-4 hours before hand.

13. Post race meal?
What ever I can get my hands on. I like to have a beer with it too.

14. How do you wind down after a race?
I am usually rushing around after the race trying to get to the airport or airport hotel. Most of the time I don’t settle down until pretty late after the race.

15. Your idea of the perfect cross course?
Fast and lots of transitions with bunnyhopable barriers. Baltimore in 01.

16. Espresso or tea?
Matte

17. For you, what is the essence of cyclocross?
Suffering in the fall and drinking a bunch of beer afterwards.

18. Tubulars or clinchers?
Tubulars

19. Write a haiku about 2006 CX Nats.
…

20. My mind wanders when I’m racing. What were you thinking about during your last race?
It was the Fontana STXC. I was trying to bridge to Trebon and then the group caught me. I was telling myself not to give up until I cross the line. Don’t settle for just finishing where ever in the group. It worked out well I ended up 2nd. I know when my mind starts to wander I’m not in the moment and my race is probably over.

21. Seen any good movies lately?
Hoping to see Blades of Glory.

22. What are the last three albums you’ve listened to?
Do people still listen to albums? I think it was Craig Shumacher “New Shoes”, Jimmy Buffet “License to Chill” and JayZ “Kingdom Come”

23. Who is going to win USA CX Nationals this year?
I want it to be me.

24. In three words or less, describe how you feel about top mount cross brake levers.
They look gay. I don’t need more ways to stop, I need more ways to go fast.

25. Would you use disc brakes on your cross bike if they were UCI legal?
If I had to.

26. What is the craziest thing you’ve done to lighten your bike?
Drill holes in my front derailuer and spend hours on end trying to get my tires Stansed up before Stans worked so well.

27. Any season goals you’d like to share?
Make the Olympic team and better my previous performance.

28. What result are you most proud of?
Collegiate National Champion, 1996. The first big race I won.

29. Who has most influenced your cross racing career?
Gully.

30. Is there another rider you train with regularly?
My brother, Troy Wells. AKA Rudy Bear

31. Why do you think the Europeans are so much faster than the US crossers?
Drugs.

32. Are you married? Have any children?
Married, 1 dog and 2 cats.

33. Any (other) passions or hobbies in your life?
Golf, dirt jumping, dirt biking.

34. What would you be doing if you weren’t racing cross?
Sitting on the beach in Mexico drinking beer and getting fat.

35. Do you have a blog or online journal?
You bet, www.toddwells.com

36. Any words of advice for those new to cyclocross?
Have fun with it. It’s a great combo of road and mountain bike. Skills practice is big b/c it seems to me like the road is growing like crazy right now so most people new to cyclocross come from the road. They probably already have great fitness, good leg speed and sprinting ability but might lack bike handling skills.

37. Define this term: triple triangle.
The technology Juli Furtando used to dominate the early days of mountain bike racing.