<p>Specialized is pleased to announce the rebirth of Mike Montgomery. After suffering from a shattered thumb, Mike Montgomery is finally back on the bike and ready to ride. Mike injured his thumb while filming an edit in Malibu and crashed on the landing shattering his thumb between his bars and a rock. Mike will be competing at ATs Showdown next weekend in San Francisco, his first competition since his injury mid-season.</p><p>
</p><p>
After getting multiple surgeries and suffering from an infection, Mike got back on his bike and picked up right where he left off.</p><p>
</p><p>
Being back on my bike feels like a huge weight is off my shoulders. I never knew how much I took riding for granted until this dumb injury. Riding feels fun again and I have a ton of new tricks in my head that need to be taken to dirt! During the injury I couldnt really do anything because of the meds I was on for the staff infection. What I did do was watch all the events closely throughout the year picking runs apart and watching how certain tricks were judged to figure out how I could adapt my riding. I feel like a lot of riders were screwed in judging this year, and I know it will probably always be that way, so I figured it would be a good idea to watch and fin/67e6858735_n.jpg" />
<author>Specialized</author>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:58:29 +0100</pubDate>
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<title>Wells in second place after day 1 at La Ruta</title>
<link>http://www.i-am-specialized.com/xc-mtb/news-article/wells-in-second-place-after-day-1-at-la-ruta</link>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Specialized Racing's Todd Wells is back in Costa Rica trying to defend his title at La Ruta de los Conquistadores mountain bike stage race. The US marathon national champion finished second in stage 1 on Thursday and sits second overall in the general classification.</p><p>
</p><p>
"It was a hard day for me today," said Wells after the finish of a first stage that was shorter than in recent years. "Last year was longer by almost an hour and a half, and I gained 10 minutes. This year, it was an hour and a half shorter, and I gave up two minutes. I gave everything out there, and I was almost cramping for the last 10 or 15km."</p><p>
</p><p>
It was a hot, humid and sunny day in Costa Rica. Back for his second time at La Ruta, Wells said the prior experience was useful, but it didn't make it easier. "I felt like the Carara National Park jungle section was similar to last year, but I don't think knowing it helped at all."</p><p>
</p><p>
Racing on his Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper 29er hardtail, he stayed near the front for the first half of the race as attrition slowly slimmed down the lead group to about five men. Then things got tough.</p><p>
</p><p>
"In the middle of the race, I had some bad moments and dropped back to maybe fifth or sixth place," said Wells. "I ran out of water after one of my bottles floated down the stream when we crossed it. Last year, I took more bottles in the feed zone and this year, I didn't, so I was running out of water most of the day."</p><p>
</p><p>
"I rode the hardtail because today's course isn't too rough, and there was a lot of climbing. We had to push the bike a lot."</p><p>
</p><p>
Eventual stage winner Paolo Montoya attacked mid-race and got away. Although Rom Akerson and Roberto Heras would chase him, no one would catch the Costa Rican.</p><p>
</p><p>
"When Rom and Roberto followed Montoya, I got dropped," said Wells. "I ran out of water and got dehydrated. When we got to the feed zone before the pavement climb, I got some more water and was able to eat some gels and was able to pass Roberto and catch Rom toward the top. I got a small gap on Rom over the top, then he came back to me on the descent."</p><p>
</p><p>
On the rolling dirt road in the last 15km, Wells put a small gap on Akerson and would go on to finish the 110km stage from Herradura to San Jose alone. He crossed the line 2:08 behind Montoya.</p><p>
</p><p>
"I was happy to come back and only lose two minutes to the leader," said Wells.</p><p>
</p><p>
Wells' comeback on the lengthy road sections was helped by his choice of tires. He used Specialized Fast Trak tires - S-Works on the front and Control on the rear - both at 27psi. "Last year I ran a more aggressive mud tire, and it made me a little better in the Carara jungle section, but 90 percent of the course is either pavement or dirt and the Fast Trak tires roll a little faster than the mud tires."</p><p>
</p><p>
Stage 2 on Friday will feature 79km from near San Jose to Turrialba over the Iraz
More...
</p><p>
After getting multiple surgeries and suffering from an infection, Mike got back on his bike and picked up right where he left off.</p><p>
</p><p>
Being back on my bike feels like a huge weight is off my shoulders. I never knew how much I took riding for granted until this dumb injury. Riding feels fun again and I have a ton of new tricks in my head that need to be taken to dirt! During the injury I couldnt really do anything because of the meds I was on for the staff infection. What I did do was watch all the events closely throughout the year picking runs apart and watching how certain tricks were judged to figure out how I could adapt my riding. I feel like a lot of riders were screwed in judging this year, and I know it will probably always be that way, so I figured it would be a good idea to watch and fin/67e6858735_n.jpg" />
<author>Specialized</author>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:58:29 +0100</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Wells in second place after day 1 at La Ruta</title>
<link>http://www.i-am-specialized.com/xc-mtb/news-article/wells-in-second-place-after-day-1-at-la-ruta</link>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Specialized Racing's Todd Wells is back in Costa Rica trying to defend his title at La Ruta de los Conquistadores mountain bike stage race. The US marathon national champion finished second in stage 1 on Thursday and sits second overall in the general classification.</p><p>
</p><p>
"It was a hard day for me today," said Wells after the finish of a first stage that was shorter than in recent years. "Last year was longer by almost an hour and a half, and I gained 10 minutes. This year, it was an hour and a half shorter, and I gave up two minutes. I gave everything out there, and I was almost cramping for the last 10 or 15km."</p><p>
</p><p>
It was a hot, humid and sunny day in Costa Rica. Back for his second time at La Ruta, Wells said the prior experience was useful, but it didn't make it easier. "I felt like the Carara National Park jungle section was similar to last year, but I don't think knowing it helped at all."</p><p>
</p><p>
Racing on his Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper 29er hardtail, he stayed near the front for the first half of the race as attrition slowly slimmed down the lead group to about five men. Then things got tough.</p><p>
</p><p>
"In the middle of the race, I had some bad moments and dropped back to maybe fifth or sixth place," said Wells. "I ran out of water after one of my bottles floated down the stream when we crossed it. Last year, I took more bottles in the feed zone and this year, I didn't, so I was running out of water most of the day."</p><p>
</p><p>
"I rode the hardtail because today's course isn't too rough, and there was a lot of climbing. We had to push the bike a lot."</p><p>
</p><p>
Eventual stage winner Paolo Montoya attacked mid-race and got away. Although Rom Akerson and Roberto Heras would chase him, no one would catch the Costa Rican.</p><p>
</p><p>
"When Rom and Roberto followed Montoya, I got dropped," said Wells. "I ran out of water and got dehydrated. When we got to the feed zone before the pavement climb, I got some more water and was able to eat some gels and was able to pass Roberto and catch Rom toward the top. I got a small gap on Rom over the top, then he came back to me on the descent."</p><p>
</p><p>
On the rolling dirt road in the last 15km, Wells put a small gap on Akerson and would go on to finish the 110km stage from Herradura to San Jose alone. He crossed the line 2:08 behind Montoya.</p><p>
</p><p>
"I was happy to come back and only lose two minutes to the leader," said Wells.</p><p>
</p><p>
Wells' comeback on the lengthy road sections was helped by his choice of tires. He used Specialized Fast Trak tires - S-Works on the front and Control on the rear - both at 27psi. "Last year I ran a more aggressive mud tire, and it made me a little better in the Carara jungle section, but 90 percent of the course is either pavement or dirt and the Fast Trak tires roll a little faster than the mud tires."</p><p>
</p><p>
Stage 2 on Friday will feature 79km from near San Jose to Turrialba over the Iraz
More...