gummibear Posted August 28, 2015 Posted August 28, 2015 It’s the end of an era for ‘The Caveman’ – South Africa’s Conrad Stoltz says he’ll retire after Xterra UK this weekend (29-30 August). “I’m pretty sure this it,” says the four-time Xterra world champ. “I don’t have regrets. I’m 41, I had a fantastic career, have lots of memories and have done a lot of neat stuff.” The most successful off-road triathlete ever, Stoltz has racked up 51 career championship wins (53 if you count Buffelspoort cross triathlon) and seven world titles, including four Xterra world titles and three ITU Cross Triathlon world titles. Stoltz says the best thing that ever happened was the birth of his baby girl Xena in the off-season. “She changed our lives in a huge way. Everything else pales in comparison now that we have this little bundle. My retirement means we can really spend a lot of time with her and we literally have her with us all the time. Being a Dad is indescribable. It’s awesome.” http://www.220triathlon.com/news/images/10514534_10153141015056110_5988928769210212899_n.jpg Hugely respected for his fearless downhill skills, fierce competitive streak and warm demeanour, Stoltz will be hoping to bow out with a win at Vachery Estate in Surrey this weekend – he won last year’s event by nearly three minutes. Over the past 15 years racing Xterra, The Caveman has become known as one of the most approachable and generous athletes in the sport – from signing autographs and providing simple words of advice to full-blown mentoring gigs and visiting sick kids at children’s hospitals.
Lance Cruz Posted August 28, 2015 Posted August 28, 2015 Next to Minnaar, the other MTB legend for SA. Nice bloke too. And he can ride an MX bike properly.
Rocket-Boy Posted August 28, 2015 Posted August 28, 2015 Caveman will always be the no 1.I love his approach to races, from cutting off the knobs on his tyres to using empty 2lt coke bottles in fat bike tyres.What a champ.
travisza Posted August 31, 2015 Posted August 31, 2015 https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/trs-radio-triathlon-interviews/id924700468?mt=2 Cool interview with Conrad (from last year)
Andrew Steer Posted August 31, 2015 Posted August 31, 2015 Bloody legend!It get's thrown around a lot, the word... but it's never been truer!Athlete of note, but also an incredible character
SwissVan Posted August 31, 2015 Posted August 31, 2015 Brings a lump to my throat... Legend and someone most can look to for an example of a true professional
nochain Posted August 31, 2015 Posted August 31, 2015 Ended with 2nd place in he's last race?Not bad for a 41 year old!Must be one of the strongest all-round athletes around!!Remember when he decided to give the TT thing a go at SA's a couple of years ago? Think he got 3rd Elite at like the age of 38.Never got to meet him at any of the races...
Shebeen Posted August 31, 2015 Posted August 31, 2015 It get's thrown around a lot, the word... but it's never been truer!Athlete of note, but also an incredible character +1. wonder what will be next?! (he won't fade quietly into the background!)
Shebeen Posted August 31, 2015 Posted August 31, 2015 i think the first time i had heard of him was the 2000 olympics - he got into a 2man break and pushed out to a minute lead going into the run. was flipping exciting at the time! and here it is on youtube. his exploits are legendary, amazing that he actually ended up racing so far into his career - even outlasted young buck dan hugo by a year!
Shebeen Posted August 31, 2015 Posted August 31, 2015 here's the final race report. and it's oh so typical! In a funny side story, Stoltz woke up this morning to his watch set on South Africa time (which is an hour earlier) and ended up rushing to the race site thinking he was late. Instead, he was an hour early, the first to set up his transition, and had plenty of time to pose for photos with his wife Liezel and baby Zena, talk to friends and fans, and speculate on the day. Also of note, he was the last to leave the site, standing on stage and greeting the amateur champions until the very last award was handed out. Clearly the depth and impact of his retirement decision was not lost on anyone. http://www.xterraplanet.com/2015/08/ruzafa-paterson-win-xterra-european-championship/ I'm a big fan.
Andrew Steer Posted August 31, 2015 Posted August 31, 2015 +1. wonder what will be next?! (he won't fade quietly into the background!) He should host Survivor
reteid Posted September 1, 2015 Posted September 1, 2015 I have always been a caveman supporter from the first time I met him as a 16/17 year old.one of the few people I would call legend.i think he will still be a major influence in tri sport for years to come.i do not think the general public or sportsfan has a clue as to what he did for the sport.the newspaper would rather print the result of kraaifontein 3d team rugby results than his results over a weekend.
Shebeen Posted September 1, 2015 Posted September 1, 2015 https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/trs-radio-triathlon-interviews/id924700468?mt=2 Cool interview with Conrad (from last year)shot. don't do itunes, so here is the direct link http://trstriathlon.com/radio/ it's episode #5
Shebeen Posted September 1, 2015 Posted September 1, 2015 I'm going to have to ask him to sort his blog out. there are GEMS lost in some redesign. i had to use the internet wayback machine to find this https://web.archive.org/web/20101229071025/http://www.conradstoltz.com/in-just-4-airline-meals/
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