Justin Morris of Team Type 1 at a US criterium earlier this year
Marathon mountain-bike races draw a broad crowd and race fields are often peppered with biathletes, triathletes, pro roadies or marathon runners, all of whom can justifiably rate their chances of a good result. It’s a point well proven by top road professionals like Levi Leipheimer, Lance Armstrong, Gilberto Simoni, Alexander Moos, Udo Bolts and Jan Kirsipuu, who have all enjoyed considerable levels of success in top-level marathon races.
After a season racing the US road circuit with the US Continental Pro Team Type 1, Sydney local Justin Morris told MarathonMTB.com that he’s looking forward to the opportunity to pedal in anger on the dirt at next month’s Highland Fling.
“The prospect of racing the Highland Fling has been exciting me for the last few months and has helped keep my mind in the game,” said Morris, who has recently completed his first season as a full-time cyclist. “It had threatened to wander late in the season; it was a case of crit after crit after crit. The Fling has been a goal of mine for a few years now but I haven’t been able to start it due to university exams.”
Morris knows he won’t be the only roadie on the startline with McDonagh Blake-Witness rider Sam Moorehouse also scheduled to take his place in the elite field. Ex-pro Brent Dawson has also been heard to be getting a ‘cross bike together for one of the only marathon events to offer a cyclo-cross category.
Unlike some road-based pros who have made the switch off-road, Morris’ own career had its genesis in the dirt. “My started mountain-bike cross-country racing as a junior and I loved it to bits,” explained the 23-year-old. “I have spent the last few years racing on the road, but after a long season of road racing I am excited to spend more time on the mountain-bike. I competed in an 8-hour event with Garry Millburn a few weeks ago and we had a ball. There is something pure, authentic and fun that I find very appealing about mountain-bike racing. It’s welcome relief from the often contrived, serious, political and frequently cut-throat nature of the road racing scene.”
While he’s pleased to get back to his off-road roots at the Highland Fling, Morris faces his own challenges in such a demanding event. His US team this season is composed entirely of riders who, like himself, have Type 1 diabetes. In fact, the entire Team Type 1 project – which includes five road teams and a triathlon team – is composed primarily of athletes who have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Outside of their sporting objectives the aim of the teams is to promote the message that living with diabetes need not stand in the way of a person pursuing and achieving their goals.
“It’s been a powerful message to advocate this year,” said Morris. “I’ve certainly relished it and the other racing oppurtunities the team has offered.”
For more information about the Team Type 1 project visit www.teamtype1.org