by Neil Schirmer
Caleb Thompson may be relatively new to Masters racing, but he seems to have the masters training secrets down pat.
As the latest 35-39 age-group champion told Cyclocross Magazine in an interview immediately after his big win in Lakewood, Washington a few weeks ago, he had to find a way to manage injury and adversity to make it come together at the right time. In a follow-up interview, Thompson confirmed that time management skills played a part, stating, "I rode less than 3,000 miles this year, half of what I normally train."
Other Masters champions—including Masters 65-69 champ George Smith—have echoed the same "quality over quantity" philosophies that are oftentimes borne out of necessity for managing common life, work and family factors which extends to both training and racing days for many. Between a few local training races and his regional championships, Thompson raced just a handful of times leading into Nationals in December.
That training plan proved successful as Thompson captured the Masters 35-39 win at Fort Steilacoom Park.
Caleb Thompson celebrates his win after a patient race. Masters Men 35-39. 2019 Cyclocross National Championships, Lakewood, WA. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Thompson's winning ride in Lakewood was a model year 2017 Scott Addict CX. We took a closer look after his win.
Caleb Thompson's Masters 35-39-winning Scott Addict CX Cyclocross bike. 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships bike profiles, Lakewood, WA. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Caleb Thompson's Masters 35-39 Scott Addict CX
While Thompson’s frameset may not possess the same sparkling finishes that adorn the newer Addict CX models such as Vincent Baestaens’ profiled Addict from Rochester in September, his bike bears many similarities to Rebecca Fahringer’s Addict CX we profiled several seasons ago and Jake Wells' Addict CX he rode to his first Singlespeed National Championship in Reno in 2018.
Noticeable about the frameset is that although it has the "modern" 12mm thru-axles, it still features post mount disc calipers that have since—with a few exceptions—been replaced by flat mounts.
Starting with the contact points at the saddle and bars, stock components dominate Thompson’s Addict CX build. Scott’s in-house Syncros branded parts kept him seated and steered toward his first Stars-and-Stripes jersey. He ran a Syncros RR1.0 carbon handlebar and FL1.5 stem up front.
Scott's in-house Syncros-branded carbon stem and bars help keep weight down. Caleb Thompson's Masters 35-39-winning Scott Addict CX Cyclocross bike. 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships bike profiles, Lakewood, WA. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
And a carbon FL1.0 seatpost and FL2.0 saddle with titanium rails in the rear.
No need for after-market upgrades to keep weight down on the Addict - a Syncros carbon seat post and Syncros saddle with titanium rails do the trick just fine. Caleb Thompson's Masters 35-39-winning Scott Addict CX Cyclocross bike. 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships bike profiles, Lakewood, WA. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Neon yellow Syncros bar tape kept things matchy-matchy with the rest of the bike.
Black and yellow Syncros bar tape helps keep things matchy matchy. Caleb Thompson's Masters 35-39-winning Scott Addict CX Cyclocross bike. 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships bike profiles, Lakewood, WA. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
For pedals, Thompson opted for a popular choice with Crank Brothers Eggbeater 3s, which offer a mud-shedding, four-sided design that increases opportunities for engagement over two-sided designs such as the company's Candy pedals.
Eggbeaters are like licorice—you either love them or hate them. On either side of that, there is no denying the mud-shedding benefits of the design. Caleb Thompson's Masters 35-39-winning Scott Addict CX Cyclocross bike. 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships bike profiles, Lakewood, WA. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
SRAM Force 1 components handled shifting and braking duties, and a Wolf Tooth protective decal on the drive-side crank arm both obscures the Force 1 crankset and simultaneously tips off the customized addition of a Wolf Tooth direct-mount chain ring that sports the company’s patented "Drop-Stop" narrow/wide technology for chain retention on 1x setups.
A Wolf Tooth direct mount chain ring and protective decal on the crank arm provide a few custom touches. Caleb Thompson's Masters 35-39-winning Scott Addict CX Cyclocross bike. 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships bike profiles, Lakewood, WA. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Thompson opted for a combo of a 42t ring and an 11-32t cassette for the course in Lakewood.
Mud was not a problem for Thompson or his SRAM Force 1 shifting—he didn't pit during his race. Caleb Thompson's Masters 35-39-winning Scott Addict CX Cyclocross bike. 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships bike profiles, Lakewood, WA. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Last but certainly not least, Thompson opted for a unique wheel and tire combination for his title bid in Lakewood. He chose Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL tubulars which happen to have wonderfully matched stickers with the yellow and black Addict CX frameset.
A unique wheel and tire combination help Thompson's bike stand out. Caleb Thompson's Masters 35-39-winning Scott Addict CX Cyclocross bike. 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships bike profiles, Lakewood, WA. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Finally, the distinctive green hues of the FMB Super Mud all-weather treads (similar in color to the infamous Michelin Mud tread) proved to be a winning choice for the muddy Pacific Northwest conditions. He ran the front at 19 psi and the rear at 19.5 psi.
The green tread on the FMB Super Mud all-weather tubular tires stand out anywhere. Thompson ran 19.5 psi rear / 19 psi front in Lakewood. Caleb Thompson's Masters 35-39-winning Scott Addict CX Cyclocross bike. 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships bike profiles, Lakewood, WA. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
For a closer look at Thompson's Addict CX, see the photo gallery and specs below.
Photo Gallery: Caleb Thompson's Masters 35-39 Scott Addict CX
Eggbeaters are like licorice—you either love them or hate them. On either side of that, there is no denying the mud-shedding benefits of the design. Caleb Thompson’s Masters 35-39-winning Scott Addict CX Cyclocross bike. 2019 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships bike profiles, Lakewood, WA. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
