What a year it’s been!

You know, even though I’ve only seen the boys race at a handful of
occasions, I still feel like I’ve been there in spirit most of the time. It
could be the relentless phone calls to my BFFs Andrew Randell and Andrew
Pinfold, I guess. It could also me making the Cunningham house my second
home several times this year.

But man, how about 2007? I’ve never been so excited to be a spectator as when
ol’ Dwayne won the US Open Champs. It’s hard sometimes, as a former racer,
to be a true spectator, getting the same energy as someone who never has.
But man, when I saw the Bearded Wonder ride away on the final cobbled climb
I couldn’t help but sound a muffled scream. Kevin was upstairs watching on
his TV, I was in his living room.

(Yes Pinner, I was excited to see you get fifth too. I admit it.)

I think I really am a closet case fan. I was flying back from New York City
the day of the National Championships, and I actually found an internet cafe
in the airport, sat down, paid the 9.99 and watched the live coverage on
CanadianCyclist.com. I kept hitting refresh over and over, waiting for some
indication of what would happen next as Randell and Cam Evans tagteamed the
break. Part of me was thinking, “Oh man, they can’t screw this up. They
can’t lose this. Come on. Win dammit. Win.” The other part was just pissed
off that I had to pay 10 bucks for ‘net.

I did a few spring series races this year, and once again I found myself to
be the closetcase fan. Riding at the back of the pack, suffering to finish
in the A group, but amazed at how far these guys have come.

I remember having first met Kevin in 2004, through Pinner. The team has
really changed. Back then the focus was more on BC and Canadian races. I
don’t think Kevin or Mark would have thought for a second we’d be talking
about Svein winning the UCI America Tour. Or the dominance the team has
shown in North and South America. Everyone has grown on the team—grown
stronger, more confident. As a family, the children have become adults.

Even surly Christian has become a happy espoir. Things change. And here I
am, finally coming out of the closet: I am a fan of the team, and proud of
these chumps.

Go S-Team Go.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 28th, 2007 at 9:43 am and is filed under Matt Hansen. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.