Iron Maiden Eve

The fatted calf has been slaughtered and the race socks have been hung by the chimney with care. IT's IMT EVE BOYS AND GIRLS!!!!!

The media buildup has been hitting a fever pitch this past week as teams prepare for the "Queen of the Classics", the "Summertime Showdown", The "Beast of the East", The "War up North"....(alright...you get the point.) HURT Nordic has long pegged the IMT as the most important race of the summer and it has been through continuous focus, "Stanley camps", rollerski sessions and secret HURT training that this year's squad feels more fit, more powerful and more geared up for the win.

With hopes of repeating as IMT team champions, HURT will field a tough team of Austin Huneck, Brian Halligan, Dave Kvam and Tim Huneck. (plus...perhaps one or two secret competitors that the Director is keeping close to the chest). With new IMT team scoring and valuable points preems littered around the course this year's IMT looks to be one of the most intriguing competitions of the season.

We sat down with the fearsome foursome to talk about their thoughts on the race and some team strategy.

HRT: So what do you think of the new team scoring this year?

Tim Huneck: I think this bodes well for our team score. If we can get a group coming fast off the run there is a real potential to group up and fly through the bike course gobbling up the preems. HURT has done a nice job off the run in the past and it may play to our advantage.

HRT: So Kvam....where's your head at? Are you prepared to finish this time or are you yet again channelling your inner Andy Schleck?

Kvam: wow.....ouch.....Where's my brother?

Halligan: HEY NOW! Look....I know what your getting at....He hasn't been able to put together a complete race. But remember....we are team! and a really fit one at that. If Dave collects preems and is able to work together with Austin and I on the bike perhaps he sets us up perfectly for a 1-2-3 podium? If we all go out fighting each other it may leave gaps for Rose and some of the other Peru powerful. I think the team win is way more important to Dave.

HRT: Well...Dave...is it?

Kvam: ummm....Where's my brother?

HRT: uhhhhh.....ok.

Austin: Bottom line.....we want the team win, we all want the individual win, we want the 1-2-3. It's gonna be a war and you don't want to miss this. We'll see you there!!!!

HRT: Well...you heard it hear folks. That's the report from the HRT news room. We are packing the van and heading up north. Tune in for full reports and team interviews post race. Don't forget to tune in to our new post race segment "Ask HUR-BKE" where we answer your questions about the Iron Maiden and the Hill Of Death.


Can Schleck....I mean Kvam....wait, I mean Schleck....NO KVAM! Can Kvam finish off the race and sit atop the podium?