Q&A with Conrad "The Caveman" Stoltz

NAME: Conrad Stoltz
NICKNAME: The Caveman
BIRTHDATE: 10/23/1973
BIRTHPLACE: Lydenburg, South Africa
CURRENT RESIDENCE: My bag? 6 months in USA (Reno), 6 months in South Africa. Eternal summer….
WEBSITE/BLOG: www.conradstoltz.com, www.stoltzracing.com, www.stoltzdesign.com

Proudest athletic accomplishment?
Winning (3rd) XTERRA World title in 2007 after overcoming a huge crash with broken wrist & back in 2006.

Superstitions for training or competition?
Nope.

Funny racing/training story?
I was showing Anke Erlank (2001 female XTERRA World Champ) how to take your wetsuit off quickly. I explained about getting the top part off while running to your bike, and then I demonstrated, "With your wetsuit around the hips, you take large handfuls of material … and rip it off in one fell swoop." Of course I accidentally hooked my thumbs into my speedos and ripped them off with my wetsuit! Anke laughed so hard she fell off the pier into Big Bear Lake.

What's the most shocking thing a spectator has ever said to you while you were racing?
"Why don't you f- off back to South Africa?! He (Tim DeBoom) is going to catch you anyway." He didn't catch me, and I went to look for those guys after the race, but they must have f-ed off… (Not sure if you want to print this.)

What characteristics do you most respect in your competitors?
Humbleness/Honesty/ Serious winning.

If you could only do one of your three sports, would you choose swimming, biking or running?
Technical/ scenic MTB.

If you were not a pro athlete, what would you do professionally?
Tiddlywinks champion? I was going to study Industrial design after high school, but I went racing triathlon in France instead! I also enjoy farm life. My dad is a cattle herdsman.

When you were a kid, what did you dream of becoming when you grew up?
A rally driver and/or game warden. Triathlon and mountain biking didn't exist back then.

Song title that best fits your personality/spirit?
"Sometimes I Feel Like an Animal Again" - don't know who sings it.

How do you reward yourself when you reach a key goal?
Dirtbikes!

If you were a flavor of GU, which would you be (existing flavor or create your own)?
Beer?

If you were a contestant on Survivor, what would be your one comfort item from home?
A mountain bike.

What's the most creative way you've ever carried your GU?
I use it as a mount to strap my Suunto to my bike's handlebar.

Personal causes you're involved in?
Currently I'm helping my moms' construction worker with a bike and riding kit. He started cycling recently on his own steam, and shows great talent. He fled the violence in Zimbabwe (escaped with machete wounds to his face and back) and worked for $8 a day when my mom hired him. It feels great to be able to help realize peoples' dreams.

Three things people don't know about you?
I speak fluent French. I try to eat 8 potatoes a day. I'm actually a softie. But it's a secret.