Submitted Story
Defending World Masters Champion Shaums March is, once again, the world's fastest dinosaur.
On Saturday (Aug. 18), March won the World Masters Champion title for the second year in a row, this time in Pra Loup, France. With 101 competitors in his class - aged 30 to 34 - March finished his qualifier seven seconds off the top time, seeding him third.
"I was happy to see that I was at least in there," said March. "I knew there were some sections that I hadn't pedaled so could use them to make some time up in the actual race."
He did indeed make up the time. In fact, not only was he .36 seconds ahead of second place Glyn O'Brien of Ireland, but he was also the fastest competitor on the mountain.
His result at Sun Peaks in 2006, where he was also fastest on the hill, was impressive, but this time he said he felt the win was really hard-earned.
The terrain was less familiar and the range of competition in Europe, where downhill is not a sport taken lightly, was more of an unknown.
"It was so cool coming here," said March.
"In Europe you always feel that you are at a major event - a world class competition. When we arrived here there were rows and rows of support trailers and a pit area. It was a true World Cup race and they're so serious over here about the sport, the opening ceremonies felt like the Olympics."
After a long journey, March managed to squeeze in seven training runs.
The competition was weighted with riders who have the opportunity to ride the course regularly, so he needed to quickly familiarize himself with the course.
Part of the trouble was the enormous number of competitors waiting to ride. The line-ups were so long that he was only able to get a couple of runs per day, he said.
"It was kind of confusing because the course was super dusty and looked the same in so many sections."
March said he therefore decided to practice what he preaches and, just as he instructs his Mad March Racing team of young racers, he drew the course out on a piece of paper and studied it every night.
Take note, all those who scoff at visualization, the method obviously works.
After the race, March gave away his gloves and goggles to young fans and signed autographs for over an hour. In the middle of the melee, he noticed a boy propped on crutches watching with excitement.
After learning that this young man had been fighting and winning a battle with cancer, March quickly arranged with the announcer that following the podium and awards, he would give the boy the only thing he had left - his MMR jersey.
A nice dollop of icing was added to the cake with a third place finish, in the Masters 35 to 39 Category, for the latest addition to the Mad March Racing coaching staff, March's friend, Lars Tribus.
"When you coach, it is really great to be able to still pull in a few medals," said March.
"It reminds you what it's all about. Why we all do this with such passion and excitement and then when everything comes together... now that's sweet!"
March arrived back in Squamish Tuesday (Aug. 21), World Masters Champion title in hand, to help local Canadian national team member Miranda Miller prepare for her Downhill Cycling World Championship race in Scotland before the Canadian National Team departure date, Thursday (Aug. 30).
