| 20ish Questions with Paul Esposti |
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Name: Paul Esposti (Spoti, The Mailman, The Welsh Tornado) Team:BCV/Scion & Wales Age:37 Years Racing:20 Type of Rider:All rounder FtC Resident Since: 2003 Occupation: Student & Stay at home Dad Understanding wife: Melisa Great Kids: Ben and Ewan Whatever you call him, Paul Esposti is wrapping up his best racing season in a decade. He’s won nearly every 35+ race he’s been in and has placed in the top 5 of nearly every Pro-1-2 race. He spent the early season getting results in the UK and will be spending the next few weeks training there as preparation for the Common Wealth Games in Oct. 1. So where the heck are you from anyway? You talk funny. Born in Cardiff the capitol of Wales and raised in a town called Beddau. 2. You obviously raced competitively before you came to the US. Tell us a bit about that. Were you a full on pro back then? How did you start racing? I started on the track at 14 years old then took up road racing seriously at 16. I competed at National Junior level at 17 in the UK. By age 18 I had my 1st cat license and road my first 200Km Pro-Am. I went to France to race at 23 and had the biggest win of my career by age 24 (Paris-Auxerre). I finally cracked after 4 years in France, the mid/late nineties was a challenging time. I turned pro in 1999 in the UK and had a great season only for the team to fold before season was over and stopped racing. Started racing in Colorado again in 2004 and had a great 2005 followed by injury, 2010 has been a good season. 3. You are notorious for being able to come into form quickly. Do you do specific intervals or just get out and ride hard? I think so many years of riding day after day has helped, I tend to do all my training by myself and will only compete when I feel ready. I'm not a fan of intervals although there are many spikes in my training which replicate hard efforts. I'm a believer of developing the aerobic engine first; I did 89 hours on the bike in march. 4. What's your favorite workout? A good 4 hour zone 2 ride around the foothills and Carter lake. 5. What’s next season looking like for ya? I will stay with BCV/Scion they have really helped me to make this opportunity possible. 6. Got any crazy secrets for training when you have a wife and kids? It's difficult to take time away from the family, especially with young children. When I worked full-time I got up at 5 am to train before work and only rode Wednesday Worlds occasionally. This year with the support of the family and being a student I have been able to train more volume. I believe balance is the key. 7. You took some time away from racing. Why the break and what got you back into it? I was devastated after losing everything I had worked so hard for in 1999. I found myself wanting to socialize as I had never done that when younger. I got back into racing in 2004 after a friend came to visit from Wales. We did a mountain bike ride over Vail pass together and he trashed me. He told me to buy a bike, I did and then rode the triple bypass 3 weeks later in under 6 hours, I figured it was time I started racing again. 8. So, tell us about these Commonwealth Games. Where are they? Who’s doin’ ‘em. What’s their story? The Commonwealth Games is the 3rd largest sporting event in the world. It occurs every 4 years and contains multiple disciplines of sport. It includes all former British Empire notions such as; India, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and many many more. 9. Favorite local race? I enjoyed Steamboat the most this season. If Koppenberg was a proper race as in over 150Km then it would be my favorite! 10. Favorite race in the US? Cascade Classic 11. Favorite local climb? North Dam 12. Favorite local ride? All the dams, Mosonville, Eden Valley, Carter lake, Eden Valley, Masonville, and then the dams!!! 13. Favorite FtC restaurant? The Rio for Mexican, Backcountry for sandwiches, East Moon for Asian. 14. Give us a run down of the biggest races you’ve done. Commonwealth Games Tour de l'avenir Tour de l'ain Tour de Normandie Tour of Britain Milk Ras Commonowealth Bank Classic (Australia) Peace Race 15. What’s your best result? Winner Paris-Auxerre 16. You quit your HVAC job to go back to school. Has that had an effect on your training? (Where are you going to school and what degree are you working on. How much school do you have left?) I've had more time to recover between training now that I'm in school. I go to Front range and I'm working on an Associates Degree in AutoCAD, I should be done next Fall. 17. Favorite pre and post ride meals? Pre: Oats, honey, raisins, blueberries, almond butter, made with soy milk. Post: Cold pizza & chocolate. 18. We’ve got the USGP in town, are you racing any cross? Most likely not, but will be watching. 19. What other sports have you been involved in? Athletics & Rugby. 20. When it’s time to hang up the bike, will you stay involved in the sport? Yes, I really want to develop young riders on the track and progress them on to the road. I would like to coach local riders, let me know? 21. Who has better food America or Wales? Indian food is better than both, the quality is better in America. |
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