What I learned from Denis Menchov’s crash
June 1st, 2009 Categories: San Diego County Bike Rides, San Diego County Triathlon Race Reports
CARLSBAD– So I missed the Rock N Roll marathon this Sunday as I had a family birthday party for my niece and then clients. However, I did get to watch the last stage of the Gino D’Italia which was appropriate as I had watched all the other stages.
This last stage of the Giro D’Italia was a time trial. The culmination of over 2100 miles raced over 21 days through Italy, the Swiss Alps and touching France and Austria. The leader of the race coming into this last was Denis Menchov of Rabobank. He had already had the pink jersey for 8 days and coming into this last stage had a 20 second lead over second place Danilo Di Luca and a minute forty three over third. All that separated Denis Menchov from the overall was 8.7 miles. It had been raining slightly earlier and the drops were just starting to fall. All the other riders were finished leaving just Denis and his 20 second lead out on the course. It was his race alone to lose. As Denis comes in to the last 1000 meters, the unthinkable happens and that is when the school bells rang.
1. GET UP!!!
As Denis went down you could almost see that he was waiting for the spill to stop so he could get up. He knew there was only one thing to do and that was to get up. No pouting, no tantrum, no self pity or sorrow. Get up!!
2. Even when things are going wrong focus on the goal
Another aspect of the crash that seems so evident is his desire to get to his bike. He was reaching for it before he even stopped sliding down the road. There is only one way to finish and that requires the bike. He stayed on task. He knew what his mission was and what he needed to accomplish it.
3. Have a great team and trust them
Within 8 seconds of his hand first touching the ground, a RaboBank mechanic had him on new bike and that is where the race was won. He had a great team mate and he trusted him. He did not question the bike or the mechanic’s hold on the bike. He got his butt on the saddle and did his part as the rider.
4. Be ready
Imagine if that mechanic had been texting, tweeting or scrolling through his playlist on the IPOD. Additionally, you never know when general fitness is going to show importance. That mechanic ran for his life for a good 10 seconds which probably felt like an hour. He had the strength to hold up the bike while Menchov got situated and had the engine to run for his life until the rider could ride out of his hand
5. Treat everyone like the hero
Every member of Team Rabobank should have(they may have) paraded that mechanic through the team area ala the movie Rudy. If this mechanic had been treated poorly or less than by the team, the result may have been much different. Disgruntled people don’t perform magic.
6. There are always people on your side
Menchov may not have known it, but the world was with him as everything came back together. For us it may not be the world, but I think we often forget that we have people out there pulling for us. Whether it is family, friends or a stranger, we rarely are alone if we choose not to be.
Lastly, it’s not over if you don’t want it to be.
Now granted, a broken bone could have caused a different result, but in this situation all of the above came together and Menchov chose for it to not be over. In a post race interview he said he knew he had time advantage and that he had a chance, so he chose for it to not be over.
Keep the rubber side down.
great analysis of a profoundly instructive moment: particularly with regard to the mechanic. check out the youtube video of the team reaction: clearly rabobank were riding the falla nd the recovery with menchov.
Leave your response!
Really Simple SyndicationCategories
Clubs
San Diego Happenings
Triathlon Related Shops
San Diego Neighborhoods
Charities
San Diego Dining
Coaching Links
Real Estate
V.I.B.s
Archives