Frank Pipp Interview

05/24/04

Q: Frank, congratulations on your recent win at Joe Martin! Winning stage at a major NRC race is a real breakthrough. How does it feel?
FP: Thank you! It's always a great feeling to come across the line first. The bigger the race, the better the feeling.

Q: How did the race develop and where did you find yourself heading into the finale?
The race itself was pretty steady. My job, along with a couple of my teammates was to cover the early moves for our GC guys. I guess I didn't quite do my job right as a break went without us, but once we saw no one else was really represented (the break was one dude) we just sat back and let the major team chase. For the sprint the guys were just trying to keep me up there. I felt like I was a bit too far back in the last km, but the guys found a hole for me.

Q: John Lieswyn mentioned the Endeavour Racing Team favorably in his Cycling News Diary. How is the team progressing?
After a tough 3 weeks of racing in the spring out in CA, we are actually just getting back to racing again with the full squad. Everyone was doing there own thing in April and doing it well. We were hoping for some good results this past weekend and we achieved that I think. I am super-excited to get back to racing with them in a week or so.

Q: What is your role on the team?
In any stage and hilly one-day races I ride as support for Carlos or Bryan, who have been riding awesome. For the crits or flat races, I get my chance to shine.

Q: As we’re getting into June, what are your plans for the summer and fall campaigns?
Endeavour is planning on a great Memorial Day Weekend at Quad Cities, where I hope to pop off something good. Then we head to Nature Valley and Elite Nat's. The latter half of June will probably be some local racing. July is of course Super2weeks. I'm really excited for that, as always. That's about as far as I am looking right now.

Q: Were you happy with the spring?
For the most part. CA was tough, as I expected. I thought I was in better shape than how I felt out there (or maybe it was that hard.) But I was sort of using that to improve my fitness for the latter half of April and beyond. I think I had some good races down in Athens, SC and Roswell. I just couldn't quite make that big-time move though. But I was definitely happy with that trip.

Q: Your brother Darren is an avid rider, right? Did he get you into racing?
For sure. He got me started about 5 years ago. He gave me a road bike for my college graduation present. I moved in with him and his family for uh, a while when I first moved to WI (THANKS!) and he put me on the training program- Dr. Pipp's Prescription for Power. hahahaha. Serious though. He was just kicking my ass early on, but I slowly gained ground on him. There was just a little bit of competition between us. He's just the fair-weather rider now though, living vicariously through me (that's a quote from him.) I think that has something to do with having a wife, two children, going through two kidney transplants, and being an ER physician. You know, if not for him, I wouldn't even think about shaving my legs or wearing spandex.

Q: What about training? Any tips you want to pass on?
Nope. All my training is super-secret, cutting-edge stuff. I have a shed out back guarded by dobermans where I keep all my info.

Q: Tom Schuler has been a strong director over the years with a knack for picking top talent. Do you see yourself moving up in the next few seasons?
Who knows?!?! I am just glad to be a part of Team Endeavour. Randy (Rothschild) Roth, Mr. Endeavour tomost, and Tom have put together a great squad for thisyear. We have had great support and enthusiasm so farand I am just enjoying myself.

Q: Anyone you want to give a shout out to?
Gotta thank Endeavour, Mr. Jones and Smess (for giving me a place to live here in the good land), my bro Darren, and my parents who are always so damn supportive (so proud of their 26 year-old son who has no job and no home.)

Team Endeavour has a roster of 12 men and is backed by Endeavour Group, an urban real estate developer and Randy Roth. The team is managmed by Team Sports.