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 TWINCAM/Salomon speedster Eddy Matzger made a daring break and captured a coveted podium spot at the Innsbruck Roller World Cup Marathon in Innsbruck, Austria, on August 15, 2002. Pumped up by the announcer as the American "superstar" from Berkeley, CA, Matzger became the race's major animator when he bolted from the gigantic pack early in the 26.2 mile race. Eddy stayed clear for 3 laps with a maximum lead of 40 seconds before being chased down by a group of 4 skaters representing three major European teams and one independent: Salomon, Rollerblade, Sport XX, and a Slovenian skater. "I attacked early to avoid all the customary scuffling for position," said Matzger when asked to recap his race. "Luckily I wasn't completely blown up when the chasers caught me. I was just able to jump on and work with them to keep the peloton at bay," said Matzger, who managed to regroup before forcing the pace again as the finish drew near. "It was actually a relief to have had company because the wind was ferocious and even a wildly cheering crowd can't keep your legs fresh forever," admitted Matzger, who was barely nipped at the line by an ecstatic Christian Luginbuhl (Team Sport XX). The race took place in the staggeringly beautiful surroundings of Innsbruck, Austria, site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Bar and cafe patrons were treated to the spectacle of inline racing and responded with resounding applause every time the inline competitors whizzed by at breakneck speeds. Eddy's lust for battle did not go unnoticed by the race organizers either. "Many thanks for being a part of our race," wrote race director Lisi Schrenk, who also captured second place in the pro women's division. "Now you have many more fans-- the Austrian people like you so very much . . ." Inline One Eleven race winner Tristan Loy tried to bridge to the leaders but was unable to break free and clear and ended up in fifth. Up on the podium, the winners Christophe Luginbuhl, Eddy Matzger, and Markic Urban received giant checks for their hard work well done. Eddy is no stranger to climbing the podium in Europe, having been the first American to win two international competitions in the Netherlands, birthplace of inline skating (Dutch ice skaters rolled on wooden thread spools during the summer months in the early 1800's). Win or lose, Matzger always endears himself to the crowd with his affable nature and accessible human qualities. |