Mike Maiers

What is your favorite sport and why? Cycling, because of the team environment. I love the racing, training, watching cycle races on TV and local races and of course all the 'Bling' that goes with the bikes and gear
How did you get into this sport? I was previously into Triathlon so the whole cycle thing was still fairly new to me having been a track runner in the early years. Due to injuries and time issues I took up cycling to keep fit and ended up loving it.
Your favourite sporting person and why? That's a hard one. Having been committed into the running, triathlon and cycling I will have to give one from each. For Running it is Wilson Kipketer. He was an 800m runner that was so dominant in the 90's and held the world record for so many years that has only 'just' been broken by the smallest of margins recently. For Triathlon it would have to be Chris 'Macca' McCormack. An outspoken Aussie Kona winner who can back up his brash comments and was pretty much a champion at every other distance in Triathlon. For cycling it is Eddy Merckx. A true pioneer in his day having won all three Grand Tours multiple times and a number of other classics to name a few.
Who or what do you find yourself searching for on YouTube most often? New songs from my favourite musical groups and or course 'bike bling'.
Your best sporting achievement/highlight? During my short cycling career I would have to say winning my first ever amatuer stage race in Bintan with my mates from HK. I ended up winning stage 1 and placed highly in stage 2 & 3 to secure the General Classification Jersey and as an added bonus took out the KOM (King of the Mountains) jersey as well.
Your most embarassing moment in sport? Would have to be the ITU triathlon in HK a few years back when I was winning the race overall and trying extra hard to run a decent 10k run time. I just pushed into the red zone a little too much and collapsed and passed out 200m before the finish. I didn't end up finishing the race but finished up in the back of an ambulance on the way to the hospital.
Your ultimate dinner party guest? After having just read David Millers book "Racing Through The Dark" I would like to have him come and tell me his story. For those that don't know, he was pretty much raised in HK and became a pro cyclist only to be brought down by doping when he was arrested in Paris. Since his recovery he is now racing again and is a dominant figure for anti-doping laws in cycling in his current pro team. I guess having been through all the turmoils he would be a good influence on the younger generation of riders to deter them from doping due to his experiences.
Favourite holiday destination? Italy. Went there two years ago and loved everything about it
Do you have a phobia? Heights!!
Who would you most dislike sitting next to in a plane for 2 hours? Someone with bad manners and worst of all bad body odour. It seems when people travel these traits seem to emerge.
Favourite music of the moment? Incubus. Just got their latest album "If not now, when?" and its an easy listen that's a little mellow but with at times an Incubus style rock feel.
You have a few hours to totally unwind. What do you do? Sleep, which is not often on the contrary to popular belief.
Your future sporting goal? Having just joined an amatuer cycle team here in HK "Team Directasia.com" I would love to dominate the local races here in HK with the new team being our first season together. This would be great for the team and our generous sponsors.
Best book you've read recently and why? I am into cycling autobiography's at the moment and just finished Cadel Evans book "Close to Flying". It's a great insight about Cadel how he came from the top end of Australia and got into cycling and became a world champion and a dominant figure in the current pro ranks of today. As the book was written before his recent Tour de France Win this leaves another opportunity for a great story to be told.
What does adrenalin mean to you? Pumping through your body at a critical moment in time whether it be a race or a situation and feeling fast and no pain.
What have you got stashed under your bed? My Mac computer box and my files. Nothing too exciting!!
What do you do to recover after a big session of exercise? Try to have a massage, hot bath, stretch and of course wear my 2XU compression garments, all in that order. FYI my wife thinks I am crazy wearing the compression to bed at night and she says "Oh no, not the space suit again" . Committed!! :o)