Feb 25, 2023
Welcome to Episode #376 of the 303 Endurance Podcast. We're your hosts Coach Rich Soares and 303 Chief Editor, Bill Plock. Thanks for joining us for another week of endurance interviews and discussion.
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In Today's Show
Endurance News:
PTO's Recent Changes: Who Do They Benefit?
AMANDA WENDORFFWed Feb 22 2023
On Monday, the Professional Triathletes Organization (PTO) issued a press release announcing a new event - the European Open, to take place in Ibiza at the same time as the ITU Long Course World Championships on May 6, 2023. Further down in that announcement, however, were some quieter announcements that immediately ruffled the feathers of many professional triathletes.
Specifically, the PTO announced that in 2023, the starting fields at the PTO Tour events (the European Open, the U.S. Open and the Asian Open) will be tightened up, with only 30 athletes per gender on the start line for the European and U.S. Opens, and 20 athletes per gender at the Asian Open, down from 40 starters for the Opens in 2022, for the purported reason of needing to “establish[] a more regular consistency of ‘world championship level’ events.” At those same events, the overall prize purses are being lowered from $1 million to $600,000. The winning prize of $100K remains, and every finisher will be paid.
Most notably, though, the PTO’s $2 million end-of-year bonus pool remains, but the bonuses previously paid to athletes ranked 51-100 are being eliminated and redistributed to increase the payments to those ranked 13-40. In the press release itself, the PTO acknowledged that “some members will be unhappy,” but was quick to point out that the changes were unanimously approved by the Athlete Board and necessary to protect the future of the Organization and its long-term vision.
What's New in the 303:
Bicycle Colorado Declares 2023 as Year of the eBike
Bicycle Colorado is declaring 2023 the Year of the eBike. Bicycle Colorado is thrilled to continue growing the work we helped seed to expand access to eBikes to lower-income Coloradans. In 2020, they managed the Colorado Energy Office’s Can Do Colorado eBike pilot project, and in 2022, they supported the passage of SB-193, the Air Quality Improvement Investments bill that will support a variety of expanded eBike access programs, including a Community Access to Electric Bicycles Grant Program. This grant program will provide funding for the development and implementation of projects to provide access to eBikes for income-qualified individuals in communities around the state. Bicycle Colorado provided technical assistance to the applicants for this most recent grant, and served on the grant award selection committee.
The Colorado Energy Office just announced the winners of 2023’s funding for this program. There is approximately $1 million for 2023 and $1 million for 2024 available, so this program will fund projects next year, too. Seven applicants received a combined total of $908,700 in funding this year: 4CORE (Cortez), CLEER (Garfield County), Community Cycles (Boulder), Fort Collins, Fort Morgan, PikeRide (Colorado Springs) and Routt County Riders. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s grant funding!
This is a full-blown 3-day weekend adventure bringing together Rocky Mountain beauty, high-country camping and stunning trails that sells out year after year.
Start early with camping on Thursday night; you can even upgrade your camping experience with Ragnar Glamping. If air conditioning is more your style, enjoy world-class lodging right at Snowmass Village.
On Friday, your team of 8 friends will begin your journey of three challenging trail loops that start and finish back at Ragnar Village. When the sun sets and the moon comes out, the party keeps going as runners head to the trails in the dark for a spirit-quest, soul-searching, star-fueled night of running.
Experience true mountain running with snow-capped peak views, blooming wildflowers, ridge running, buffed-out trails, and even a little climbing (with a BIG pay-off). With its incredible views, the altitude definitely won’t be the only thing taking your breath away. Your whole team will finish together on Saturday, triumphantly, under the Ragnar arch with unforgettable memories and a bond to last a lifetime.
Video of the Week:
Descent Disciples ||Vol 13|| Tom Pidcock vs. The Fish
https://www.instagram.com/tompidcock/
Thomas Pidcock MBE is a British cyclist who currently competes in the cyclo-cross, mountain bike and road bicycle racing disciplines of the sport for UCI WorldTeam Ineos Grenadiers. Wikipedia
Born: 1999 (age 23 years), Leeds, United Kingdom
Weight: 128 lbs
Height: 5′ 7″
Nationality: British
Medal: Cycling at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's cross-country
Date joined: 2021 (Ineos Grenadiers)
Current team: Ineos Grenadiers
Closing:
Thanks again for listening in this week. Please be sure to follow us @303endurance and of course go to iTunes and give us a rating and a comment. We'd really appreciate it!
Stay tuned, train informed, and enjoy the endurance journey!