International Marathon Popobike

Michel Awad, Miguel Martinez, and Emil F. Awad

The International Marathon Popobike offers two general categories, full and half marathon, and neither are intended for children under 15. Emil F. and Michel ran the half marathon, 32K. They started in the last category, beginners 20. I ran with Michel and Emil F. did it alone. This was great training and we had a lot of fun. Emil F. (10) did it in 2:31, 374/873 of all 32K categories; and Michel (7) did it in 3:04, 577/873 of all 32K categories!

Thank you Gilberto Soliman for organizing such excellent races!

Over 1600 racers in  Popobike 2010

Emil F. passing in the last  hills.

Walking competitor forces Michel to take an uncomfortable line

Michel passing

Michel closing the day with strength and honor to the National Champion Jersey

Michel passing

Michel in the last hill

Michel finishing the last hill

Miguel Martinez comments on the performance of  Emil F.

Emil F., Johnny Cattaneo (winer of the full marathon) and Michel

Michel enjoying a good meal

An excellent end of season for Emil F.

Popobikito, National Children's XCO Race

Five time World Champion and Olympic Champion  Miguel Martinez with Emil F.

The new track laked steep hills, but it required skill to maintain a good rhythm. Best of all was to count with Miguel Martinez as guide to the track; the time he gave to the children is an invaluable gift. Emil F. started very well and stayed close to Miguel Martinez. Emil F. imposed a rhythm that separated him from the rest of the group, and he arrived in first place with ample margin. The handling and technique lecture he received, by following the wheel of Miguel Martinez, is bound to stay with him for life.

Thank you Miguel!

Emil F. First Place

An all Veracruz Podium

Michel raced for the first time with his 26' bike. He had some trouble at the start and was boxed. After working his way around several competitors, he arrived in third place.

Michel pressing on.

Michel third place

Emil F., Miguel Martinez y Michel

Emil F. Awad Wins Fifth Place Overall of the National XCO Series, Infantil C

Emil F. with his grandmother

As a runner-up of the National XCO Series 2009 Infantil B, Emil F. finished the 2010 season strong, and managed to defend the fifth overall in the Infantil C category. His placement in the general classification was jeopardized when we decided to not attend a race added by the National Federation in the middle of the season. As a team we protested this irregularity by not showing up, a feeling shared by many other teams.
Emil F. did an extraordinary race in Rancho Santa Elena, host of the last race of the season, and secured the fifth overall.

Emil F. in front of the chasing group

Final lap

Great finish of the 2010 XCO series

Michel Awad, Overall Champion National XCO Series 2010

Like most young MTB riders, due to the age category margin of two years, Michel enjoys one good year and one bad year. His last good year was 2008, were he was also overall  champion of the National XCO series and runner-up in the XCO National Championships, Infantil AA. His bad year was 2009, were he ended third overall in the national series and fifth in the championships, Infantil A. 2010 is a very good year and he has won the overall in the series and the championships.

Emil F., Ignacio Torres (multiple national champion) and Michel

Michel negotiating traffic

Michel chasing after traffic

A Race is Added to the XCO National Series, Disregarding All Regulations

A race is added to the XCO National Series, in San Luis Potosi. As a team, just as most riders of the XCO National Series, we are overwhelmed by the lack of ethics and vision displayed by the Federation.  To promote the sport, it is indispensable to have a calendar that is dependable. It is not acceptable to add races once the season is almost at the end, since this has an impact on annual training plans, budget, and race strategies.

Ocelot Cycling will not participate in the SLP race, as a form of protest, putting at risk the general classification of Emil F. for the overall title in the series.

Michel Awad, XCO National Champion 2010, Infantil A

It was an uncharacteristically dry afternoon in Tapalpa Jalisco. The start of the Infantil A starts with a false start by a competitor that is not sanctioned by the judges.

Michel concentrated

At the bottom of the first downhill, Michel's chain pops out and he is passed by most competitors.

Michel (in yellow) starts to move to the head of the race.

Michel takes the lead.

Michel reacted rapidly, fixing his chain and, in an impressive attack, runs part of the hill passing some riders; then mounts his bike in cycle-cross style and continues passing riders, including the one with the false-start, to cross the finish line in first place.

Michel arrives to the finish line with ample margin

DUATLON HEART BREAK 2010 XALAPA, Preparation for the Championships

It is our first duathlon. Michel wins first place and Emil F. third in their respective categories. Emil (bike) competed  with Guillermo de Leon (run) to a fourth place in the combination open category.

We hope that Michel and Emil F. get proper preparation for the Championships next week in Tapalpa Jalisco.

Leon, Sixth Round of the XCO National Series

La dolce vita

Leon organizers appear to be more concerned about the UCI inspectors than about the actual competitors. The children's track was not marked in time, it was changed at the last moment and, of course, only local riders knew the real track.

The track had a downhill in uncut grass, with holes, and there were many riders using wheels biger than the reglamentary 20'. Big wheels have a clear advantage in these conditions. Michel was able to secure fifth place (highest pleasing with 20' wheels). No one knows why the judges allowed bikes that did not conform to regulation.

The fifth place gives Michel the overall win in the XCO National Series. He is getting set for the National Championships in Tapalpa Jalisco. Emil F. is in fourth overall. Good year for the team.

Emil F. in front of the chase group.

Michoacán, Fifth Round of the XCO National Series

We use to live in Morelia thirteen years ago, since I worked at Conservatorio de las Rosas. It is fun to comeback after several years. Again, the children's track was not properly marked, but someone nicely offered to showed us the track--except that was not the track... Michel had a good start similar to Monterrey, but after a turn he did not expect the guide to take, most racers passed him.

Upset, he advanced and waited until the line broke in the final hill. Michel charges passing all but one, geting to the finish line in second.

Emil F. has a worst time, since he suffered a fall due to a similar surprise. Emil F. continue getting points for the overall classification.  Emil F. was racing his new 26' wheel bike for the first time--he has raced in 24' for the las two years.

Emil F. makes a great effort to recuperate.

Emil F. passing.

Michel designing with stones and wood.