March 10, 2005 – March 4 to 6 , Topatio Springs , Boerne Texas, just a short drive from San Antonio, in Texas hill country. This was the sight of the first outing for the Rocky Mountain Business Objects race team in 2005.

The first Norba National Series race of the year, was a 3 day stage race made up of a Time Trial race against the clock, a Short Track Cross Country, and a full length Olympic Distance Cross Country race as the final stage. For the Iron men and women in the group, there was also a 100km Marathon race . The Marathon was optional and could be raced as a single event, or added as a stage to determine the Iron Grind King and Queen. These would be the fastest overall in the Marathon when added to the other 3 stages. In addition to the race, the team had gathered for the main photo shoot of the year and as a team building opportunity before the season gets fully underway. New Rocky Mountain Business Objects rider, Olympian Carsten Bresser and Endurance King Karl Platt made the trip from Germany to join the team for the week. Athens Silver Medal winner ,Marie Hélène Prémont, flew in for a few days during University Exams to shoot some photos and compete in the first stage of the race. Alison Sydor, Gretchen Reeves, Andreas Hestler and Lesley Tomlinson returned, and were joined by new rider Marty Lazarski who is the Canadian under 23 National Champion. Marty will ride for the development team this year primarily in Canada.

The first day was cloudy, but dry conditions for the Marathon race. Carsten, Karl and Gretchen all opted to race the full Iron weekend. Gretchen came away with a first victory of the year, whilst Karl fought a great fight, and would finish a solid third place. Carsten had a flat tire mid way through the race, and after a slow tire change, decided to save a bit of energy for the stage race.

Meanwhile, Marie Hélène rushed from her morning of photo posing and riding..to the Time Trial start line. There was a bit of confusion as she posted the fastest time riding in an anonymous slot, and she did not have an official start position. The time stood unbeaten until her team mate, 3 time World Champ Alison Sydor, blasted 10 more seconds off the time for the win. Alison and Marie would top the final podium in the first stage of the race. The weary Marathon racers along with Andreas who had chauffeured that day, came right from the finish of their 5 hr race, to race their all out time trial against the clock. This would enable them to start the next day in the short track.

The Short Track races were blazingly fast. Alison rode a perfect tactical race and true to form took the victory. Gretchen had a solid day recovering from her 6 hr Epic of riding on Friday. Carsten made a great showing in the men’s race, followed by Karl, Andreas and Marty. This was the last dry day to be seen. The rain started hammering down minutes after the Short Track Podium presentation.

As we saw age group racers come off the course, it was obvious that Sunday’s Cross Country would be a mud fest. Still Karl and Carsten rose early for photos in the driving rain, before a quick change and right to their start. For Alison, it was a solid race from wire to wire. Riding smoothly to keep bike in one piece and the competition at bay, she opened up a 2 ½ minute lead by the finish. Gretchen came back from her exhausting weekend for a brilliant 8th place that would ensure her the overall Iron Queen. This was a great start for the 2004 US National Marathon Champion. Marty, Carsten and Andreas all fell victim to the conditions and mechanicals, as did 2 thirds of the field. Karl had a solid race to finish 13th

All in all it was a great start to the season, our photographer, Sterling Lorence has hundreds of great photos and the team atmosphere was better than ever. It was the first weekend for our new mechanic Dave Atherton who did an amazing job under the guidance of Andreas. We explained that building all the team bikes, driving 42 hrs to Texas, setting up the awning and expo site and fixing many muddy, broken bikes, all during a photo shoot… was not “All in a normal week’s work” .We think he’s convinced.

No rest for Sterling and our Art Director Mike Cober, after round the clock scouting, and shooting. They blasted off to California to work on the Freeride Photo Shoot with Wade, Richie, Thomas and Rob, minutes after the final podium awards. Monday of course was back to Texas sunshine, just in time to go home.

For more complete information on the races and full results and pictures see: http://www.cyclingnews.com/mtb.php?id=mtb/2005/mar05/norba05_1/default

Next stop Sea Otter Classic, Monterey CA. April 14 to 17.