Stage 6 and Final - Macau

Okay, it's December 31st over here and we just completed the last stage of the TSCS yesterday afternoon. It was the only stage which featured some rolling hills and a final 2Km climb up to a tower in Macau. The course wasn't too hard so the entire field hit the last climb together and it was a mess going up there through switchbacks passing (?) and being passed (?) by riders. Jared and me did some hard sprint work midway through the race to raise our payout to HKG $300. After that, I finished somewhere in the 40's again while Jared cracked the Top20 once again. That guy looks like a sprinter but he can go fast uphill, too. Wondering what I'm doing wrong? Anyways, now we are chilling in the hotel lobby before we get on a ferry back to Hong Kong where we will spend the next few days before moving on to Malaysia for the next stage race.

Kung Fu Hong Kong Style

Seen and taped in Hong Kong last week...

Stage 5 a.k.a. crashfestival

Stage 5, Zhuhai: So today I was a lucky man and avoided the crashfest which took half the field out w/ 4 laps to go. I just tried to follow the russian train of Omnibike Dynamo Moscow and finished somewhere in the 40's(?). Now I'm standing in line for immigration to get into Macau, the 3rd country on my trip so far.

Stage 4 - Foshan

Today we had about 12 turns on a racecar-like course, sand, water, plastic barriers (which called for crashes) and last but not least a "Russian Gutterfest". I survived the wind and finished in the pack. Jared pulled off our first Top20 so far. It's wrickin' faaast over here. And dirty. You look more like a mine worker than a cyclist after racing 2 hours in China...

The Popo in China...

So this is an example of how safe this place actually is. Every time we come to the race circuit a BUNCH of police or military is already there and they guard our stuff all the time. This guy was in Guangzhou taking care of things were we raced today. After he started taking pics with his phone-cam Tommy B. took this shot. Later, Stefan

Stage 3 - Guangzhou

This was a windfest on the 'autobahn' with two 180's and a lot of 54*11 (it hurt, as you can see in the picture). Averaged this time only 44 km/h. Yes, Les a.k.a. xltricky, this would be something for you here going 90km every day at critspeed. You have to have no fear, though...

Stage 2 - Shenzhen

Things are coming around. After feeling like Sh#@ at the end of yesterday's stage I was able to do something today. After Dave and Tom decided to represent the Orange/White/Blue early on i went halfway through with 2 other guys and for some reason they let us go this time. Was able to win one intermediate sprint and collect a few HKG $. But even with the presence of "Steini" Stefan Steinweg we were not able to keep the lead and got caught with 3 laps to go/ Finished in the pack; Jared got 26th as the best guy of us today. Tomorrow is foing to be fun: two 180's in yet another circuit race. Later, Stefan

my TEAM

I'm sitting in the hotel lobby of a Hotel in Shenzhen (China). This town is super crowded with 8 million people. Here's a little pic from a press conference we had last week in downtown HongKong. From left to right: Jared Bunde, Simon (hongKong), David Sommerville, (me), Thomas Bencivengo and Lameul (HongKong).

Stage 1 - Hong Kong

On my way to Shenzen, China now. Stage today was fast after not having raced for 2 month. Last lap I lost some 30 sec. bc "some dude" decided to crash in front of me and I hit the brakes. Oh well, at least the guy from cyclingnews saw us out there today (see above).

Found a computer w/ Internet

So finally after 5 days looking around I found a PC with internet acces and Chinese Windows XP. Unfortunately it doesn't recognize the camera so I can't share the great place I'm at right now. We are staying in the Regal Hotel in Shatin, Hong Kong and I'm heading down to lunch in a little bit. This morning we rode for an 1 1/2 hour and Jared and me worked a bit on lead-outs. The next 5 days is going to be US style circuit races with maximum distance of 110km (65 miles for you US guys reading this). I will give you an update on all my teammates here later on. That's it it for now. Merry Christmas to everyone in Germany!!! Stefan

Dinner Chinese Style

Dinner time! I'm getting used to spicy, chopsticks, and the frenchpress to meet the necessary caffeine levels. Making more asian friends from day2day.

Fast cars in Hong Kong

Upcoming Race Schedule

This is our schedule for next week's race (if you can read it, I can't). We did a training race last night - legs felt allright for the fact that I traveled from Monday morning 'til Wednesday night around the world! Hong Kong is just super cool.

Taking Off...

Made it from DFW to JFK where i'm meeting the other 3 guys. Only 18 more hrs. flying 'til Hong Kong :-)

Thanks Y'all

Thanks to Mr. Shih (Champ-System), Mr. Chang (TOKEN PRODUCTS), Mr. Mahlmann (ProCyclingDiscount), Mr. Maris (SRM Consulting), and Gianluca (Albabici) for their support. And my parents and fiancee for letting me go...:-)