Middaugh’s take on Kapalua
KAPALUA, Maui — Triathlon is full of if onlys. But fans of XTERRA star Josiah Middaugh can make a case for his performance at the 2011 XTERRA USA National Championship in Ogden, Utah in which he placed a close third despite suffering a flat and had to get off and carry his bike for a few hundred yards in the last mile. His race-best run there proved his fitness was first rate and, with a record that includes two wins and 2nd overall in the 2011 XTERRA US Pro Series, plus a 3rd, a 4th, and four top 10 finishes at XTERRA Worlds, that he should be in contention for a breakthrough win at Kapalua against one of the mightiest men's fields in XTERRA World Championship history.
Slowtwitch: You would have won Ogden if not for that flat tire?
Josiah Middaugh: Everything was indicated I was going to have a good race there. But I still had a good race. Just not quite as good as what I was in position for. But I felt good about my fitness. It was a good workout and a good indicator for Maui
ST: Does your altitude fitness translate to a sea level race?
Josiah: I think it does. Just not on a flat course. I think the steeper the course the more it translates from altitude training to a sea level race for sure.
ST: Kapalua is a completely different course than Makena. last year's course has one huge climb, and one scary downhill. This one has many short climbs. Can you analyze who this one is best suited for?
Josiah: Me! LAUGHS I think I prefer sustained climbing. Longer is better. But these climbs are sustained enough. They are shorter in the beginning. But then you start finding some that are over three minutes, over five minutes — and one that is closer to 10 minutes. So they are definitely enough to really tax that energy system, that VO2 max.
ST: There are two archetypes of XTERRA World Champions. There is Conrad Stoltz, a big man with big power (Four wins). Versus the power to weight champs like Eneko Llanos (three wins) and Nico Lebrun (one win). Which type benefits most at Kapalua?
Josiah: Well you know the steeper the climb the more the needle swings toward power to weight [low weight x power) I kind of follow the middle. Compared to Conrad, my advantage is steeper climbing. But compared to Nico, we both have similar strengths. On a steep climb I'm not going to get away from Nico. I'd actually get away on a more sustained climb. I kind of fall in between those two ends of the spectrum.
ST: What about the run course?
Josiah: As far as pitches of the climb, the pitch on the run here is pretty similar to some snowshoe races I do back in Colorado.
ST: Steeper pitches on the high part of the course, not the flatter lower end?
Josiah: Right. Up a little higher on the course you will find some steeper climbing. Lot of hands on the knees and a lot of hiking. So that sort of slow paced grinding up a really steep climb is something I am familiar with.
ST: This race seems wide open. Looks like 10-12 guys can win. You have former champs like Conrad, Eneko and Nico. You have XTERRA USA National series stalwarts like yourself, Dan Hugo, and Branden Rakita. Then you have proven top European XTERRA stars like Michi Weiss, Olivier Marceau. Then there are top Euros in their first XTERRA — Ivan Rana and Jan Frodeno. And of course this Texan with seven Tour de France wins.
Josiah: I agree. We can speculate about who the course suits. But we won’t know for sure until we get out there. The course does have a fair amount of variation to it. I wouldn't count anybody out. You may see some new faces in the top five.
ST: Maybe Conrad wasn't at his best in Ogden?
Josiah: Nico had a great race winning Ogden. Conrad was off form in 4th. He will be in a little better form for this race. Nico has been coming into form all year. He is in the upper trajectory. I don't think anyone peaked at Ogden. But we saw some people on top of the game and some people not . What we didn’t see was some Europeans.
ST: Who are they?
Josiah: Michael Weiss [2nd at 2008 XTERRA Worlds, 3rd at 2009 XTERRA Worlds, 3rd at 2010 XTERRA Worlds) Eneko Llanos [won 2009, 2004, 2003 XTERRA Worlds] Olivier Marceau [2nd at 2004, 2006, 2007 XTERRA Worlds- and Jan Frodeno [2008 Olympic triathlon champion].
ST: You know about Frodeno's bike handling?
Josiah: No. But apparently he spent some time in South Africa.. So he knows how to ride. And 2004 Olympic champion Hamish Carter won this race with little XTERRA background
ST: This time you will face a better prepared Lance?
Josiah: Supposedly he was not in form in Ogden. Which is to be expected when you don't race. But I've heard he has done some intervals and some hills and he should be ready for this race.
ST: With his top five swim and ride at Ogden, he should be in the hunt here?
Josiah: He will be in the race without a doubt. If his bike form is a lot better than Ogden, yeah he could be starting the run at the front of the race. It will be exciting.
