A Sunday Conversation with Tom Zirbel
Tom Zirbel has become a household name for cycling fans across the country the past few years, and slightly a household name for some of the world wide fans after a little race back in September. Tom had stormed the national race scene the past two years. Originally from Clear Lake, Tom has made us proud of the local talent. He finished second the past two years at the USPRO National Time Trial Championships - both times to little known TT part timer, Dave Zabriskie. He finished second overall at the Nature Valley Grand Prix, only losing on the last "mountain goat style" crit stage. Tom finished fourth overall at the Tour of Missouri, won the overall crown in the Nation Racing Calendar and held the fast time for hours at the UCI World TT champs in Switzerland, before being bumped by small time straight line racer Fabian Cancellara.
Tom had just signed a contract to ride with US based Pro Tour super team Garmin Transitions - and things were looking like the sky was the limit for young Tommy Z. Then a bomb fell on our hero, as a doping test from the US National TT Championship came back with a positive test for DHEA.
Everything has been turned upside down for Tom as he awaits the results of the "B" sample. If the "B" comes back positive, he would be looking at a two year suspension from the sport. Never the less, Garmin has a very strict zero tolerance policy, and has terminated Tom's contract.
At the time NIBU requested the interview with Tom, the news of the positive test was not public. Our own Scoop Ferguson spent some time with Tom at his Boulder home, and was able to ask the questions we had always wanted to know from Tom, and unfortunately had to ask some questions we hoped we never would have to.
Scoop Ferguson - By now, most everyone knows that you have spent the past few years as a pro cyclist. I'd like you to enlighten us as to how you got here. How did you get into bike racing"
Tom Zirbel - I needed cross training because a running injury kept me from logging more than 50 miles in a week running - so I needed something to supplement my training. Then I started to kind of like that riding business and started entering local races for fun.
Scoop - As you worked your way through the category ranks of USA Cycling, when did you know that going pro was a possibility?
Tom - Well, I made the "time to sink or swim" decision when I dropped out of grad school for chemistry at CU - Boulder during the winter of 2003-04 to train full time. I wouldn't have done that if I didn't think that I had a future in the sport.
Scoop - I had heard about bike racers strapped for money on road trips stopping at fast food restaurants and taking ketchup packets and mixing them with water to make free tomato soup. Do you have any similar stories about your days on the road?
Tom - I have some fond memories of just me and my '86 Honda Accord, tent, and sleeping bag. But mostly I think about how I lived in basically a boiler room for 3 years for cheaper rent. I delivered pizzas at night for money - all with a college degree and having gotten into grad school, etc. There were definitely times when I had to take "time outs", step back and remember why I was doing this and keep my vision/dreams at the forefront of my mind.
Scoop - What do you think the biggest misconception of the average Joe - Cat 4 bike racer, when dreaming about the pro cyclist life?
Tom - That it is completely different. It's really not. Racing is racing at every level. We're still out there try to push ourselves as far as possible for the best outcome. When you hit that moment in the race when you want to quit, no fancy bike, special lycra, or soigneir is going to help you get through it. It's still full of the internal battles we've grown to love.
Scoop - When you signed that first contract with Bissell, how did you celebrate?
Tom - It was Priority Health then in 2006 and '07, but the celebration was mostly internal, that feeling of "wow, this in many ways vindicates my decision to drop out of grad school and give this sport my full attention." But you have to remember even as a first year pro my financial troubles did not disappear. In fact, over half of our team that year made little or no salary and lived primarily on prize money. But even so, when I got that first monthly salary check of $300 back in Jan. of '06 - I was in heaven!
Scoop - What about when you signed with Garmin?
Tom - It was "Holy Shit - I'm going to one of the best teams in the world to potentially ride the biggest races in the world." Then, "Holy Shit - this is going to be hard. What if I can't hack it?"
Scoop - I check out all the pro bikes that Cyclngnews and Velonews reports on, and find myself dreaming of what they ride like. What has been your favorite team bike to ride?
Tom - I've been lucky with sponsorship, we've ridden some cool bikes. My favorite has been the Pinarello Prince just because it is made to race. It's so responsive and stiff in the front end that even I feel comfortable at my weight cornering and descending with it. Though I could use a cm or two bigger frame but we made it work.
Scoop - Being in the industry, I know about riders who run products (wheels, bars, and so on) that have their original stickers removed, and branded as another manufacturers products. With sponsorship issues being important for a team's financial support - how much flexibility do riders get in choosing products they like using - even if they are from a sponsor's competitor?
Tom - There isn't much leeway there. We get what they give us - very few exceptions.
Scoop - Riding for a team like Bissell, or riders with a team like Garmin, how many styles of kits or team gear do they issue you?
Tom - On Bissell, we got 5-7 regular kits, 4 different jackets, 2 different vest, bib tights, leg warmers, knee warmers, yada yada. A LOT.
Scoop - I'm sure that when you didn't renew your contract with Bissell, they didn't ask for your old stinky bib shorts back... But what other gear do you keep as well?
Tom - It depends on each person's contract, but I got to keep all clothing, a couple helmets and nutritional products but no equipment. I think people expect me to say "I got to keep 3 Princes, 2 Montellos, a team van..."
Scoop - Now a couple of uglies... At the time of this interview, we are still waiting to hear about the results of your "B" sample. Are you working to keep your mind off the test and staying away from biking, or are you still on the bike - training?
Tom - My on the bike training as been shit since hearing of the positive "A" in mid-Nov. I just can't mentally get myself chamoised up with all that's going on. Been doing some hiking and other activities but it's not the same.
Scoop - Considering your current situation, how do you see other high positive test results like Floyd Landis and Tyler Hamilton? Has your opinion of their claims of innocence changed by personally going through this situation?
Tom - It has for sure. Especially when I hear from several scientists that Landis' sample lab work in particular was crap. It sounds like those testers had an agenda and were going to find what they were looking for. I don't think that's been the case in my situation though. The lab work done on my sample has been very thorough by all accounts.
Scoop - An Olympic swimmer, Jessica Hardy, was suspended from competing in the 2008 Games due to a positive test at the Trials. It was later found to be the result of a contaminated supplement. Her ban was shortened to the "maximum extent", and was reinstated by USA Swimming in July. In August, she broke a world record. If your "B" sample comes back positive and is proven to be caused by something similar to Hardy's situation, do you think you will be mentally able to come back to the sport?
Tom - If the suspension is shortened to a year or less, I think I would have no problem coming back mentally. I don't feel wronged by any person or organization, I just think the system is flawed somewhat. Most would agree that there needs to be reform in this area.
Scoop - what about being physically able?
Tom - I don't thin I've hit my physical prime for this sport yet, so yes, physically it won't be a problem if I put in the time and effort.
Scoop - And now for something completely different. Jonathan Vaughters has sported some really cool sideburns in the past. Did he have them when you were working with him on a new contract - and if so... Did you find yourself staring at them?
Tom - We did 90% of the contract stuff over the phone, but when I did see him in person or in pictures, the word metrosexual comes to mind. That look didn't just happen jumping out of bed in the morning. I tend to think about how many hours spent staring in the mirror with clippers or gel or eyebrow pluckers, or whatever. Not my thing.
Scoop - Do you have a quick rule of thumb for keeping my "ite", "ate", and "ide" suffixes straight? I keep getting them mixed up, and I'm afraid I might blow up my home chemistry lab.
Tom - It has to do with the # of oxygen atoms, me things. But don't trust me, just look it up on the internets. If you find it on The Google, it can't be wrong.
Editors Note" We are still holding our breath as we await the results of the "B" sample, and hope that truth will prevail. We wish Tom and his family the best during this time. We thank Tom for sparing some time for this interview, and will be reporting on any developments as they are known.
I didn't realize how much Vaughters looks like a Freddie Murcury Mercury Mini Me (without the stache)
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