A chat with David Zabriskie
David Zabriskie will race in 2008 for the professional continental team Slipstream powered by Chipotle. He had a somewhat up and down season in 2007, and is looking to fly high this year.
ST: Dave, you'll be on a new team in 2008, are you excited?
Dave: Yes, I am really excited. We have already gotten together and everyone is really motivated to perform their best this year. I haven't been this excited since the big game in 82…
ST: During the season, what workload do you have during a typical week?
Dave: During the season it really depends on how I am feeling. If I am tired, I will rest. If I feel good, I will try to do some solid maintenance work to hold onto my form. In a week, I'll do at least 15-20 hours.
ST: You are an amazing time trial rider, how do you hone these skills?
Dave: I don't really do a lot of specific time trial work. I just make sure I'm in shape. For me, the most important thing before a race is to be in the right frame of mind while warming up on the trainer.
ST: You recently went to the wind tunnel with your new team. Did you learn something new?
Dave: Not really. I might drop the stem on the bike a tiny bit. Not much needs to be changed.
ST: Tell us how you are planning to spend the off-season.
Dave: I spend the off-seasons relaxing at my house and doing quite a bit of mountain biking.
ST: What are your plans in terms of racing for 2008, or let’s say, what has the Team planned for you?
Dave: The first part of my season should go something like this: Tour of California, Criterium International, Circuit de le Sarthe, Tour de Georgia, and then the Giro.
ST: Can you tell us about your athletic background? What sports were you involved with in high school?
Dave: My athletic background was nothing serious. I was an active kid but I never thought I would be a professional athlete. High school days were dark days for DZ. I was not involved in anything; you can't even find me in my senior year book. Actually, when I found out I could graduate early, I took full advantage of it. When I was getting my papers to leave, the secretary asked me if I was coming back in 6 months for the graduation ceremonies. I said no. I remember walking down the hall taking my last few breaths of the strange smell that filled the hallways, touching the cold steel bar and pushing the door open. Then, I ran towards my freedom with a few fingers in the air to the buildings that had held me prisoner for 12 years. A few months later, I was asked to join the Olympic Training Center to pursue a career in cycling…
ST: Do you do any cross training such as swimming and running?
Dave: I'll hike and run a bit on the trail, but not too much as it's hard on a leg I injured a few years ago.
ST: How many bikes might we find at your house if we came by and looked, and what are they?
Dave: I have seven bikes among them are a Felt F1, a Santa Cruz Blur XC, and a Niner.
ST: Can you share with us some of your food likes and dislikes?
Dave: I like egg-nog and latkes. I dislike pasta for breakfast.
ST: What about music? Anything you listen to more often?
Dave: I have a lot of music. I have always had a big collection, but, with the emergence of the digital age of music, my collection has gotten out of control. I never thought I would be a Kid Rock fan but he has been on my shuffle for 4 years and I never really feel the need to change that.
ST: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Dave: I see myself as the most powerful man in the chamois cream business.
ST: I there anything else we should know about you?
Dave: I believe cars are the new second hand smoke.
