After considerable effort, the Flyers were finally able to locate Yawn Uhlrich for an in-depth interview about his thoughts regarding his career, Tour victory, and life after the Tour.

FF:   Yawn, it's been two weeks since your astounding victory. What do you think was the difference this year that put you on top?
YU:   "My friends call me Rick but you can call me Yawn. I give all the credit for my victory to the folks at Karo syrup and Hammer Gel. Until a test is developed to detect the use of either one I should be set to win for years to come."

FF:   I haven't heard of using Karo syrup, but I've heard of Hammer Gel. What flavor and concentrations do you recommend?
YU:   "Karo is a pre-sleep drink, about half a cup before bedy-by and you're all set ... unless you plan to sleep in late then you'll need a full cup. Hammer Gel is new to me this year. My trainer, Mark Painter, turned me on to it. He has me using it for a massage cream and as a treatment for cramps. It's amazing what a little on the quads during a really tough climb can do for you. Some of the uses not listed on the bottle are chain lube, car wax, dessert topping, birth control, sunscreen, bug repellent, and a tire sealant.

FF:   Everyone associated with the Tour always raves about the organization and what a class event it is. Which city stood out for you during the 97 Tour?
YU:   "I was going to Disney Land after the Tour but that's where they started one of the stupid stages. They really ruined it for me."

FF:   With your current race resume, every team in town is after you. With that in mind will you be riding for the Flyers again next year?
YU:   "I want a team that shuts the phone down at 9:00pm. It's so rude to call after 9:00. It's important to me, I have a very strong work ethic."

FF:   Do you consider yourself the heir to Indurain's throne?
YU:   "We can afford our own toilets. Turbo says the throne is not so important for the team, just the win."

FF:   Stage 12, the time trial, you won by 3 minutes. Was that a surprise to you or was it evident that things were going that well?
YU:   "I knew that three weeks of training with the Washington State hill climbing champ would pay off."

FF:   Did your director tell you that Barney was going to throw his bike in the time trial or was that something they kept to themselves?
YU:   "I was disappointed for Barney, he was getting a full 25 meters in practice. The throw was only 8 meters. Panty's worst throw is 15 meters and he's bald. Where did that Panty guy finish anyway? He's got pimples behind one ear but you don't really see them unless you look real hard."

FF:   Stage 14, you were dropped like a rock on the first climb by Verock and the Fester boys. Was that something you planned or did the race just get away from you?
YU:   "Barney was crying like a baby so I dropped back to help the little whiner."

FF:   You've recently moved to the mountainous region of Wenatchee at the base of the Cascade Mountains. Was this to improve your climbing or do you like the chicks in the region?
YU:   "Have you been to Wenatchee? Give me a break, it's the climbing!"

FF:   On the 11th stage, Barney stopped to pee only to have Verock and the Fester boys attack. What was he thinking?
YU:   "Hammer Gel, sometimes it works like a diuretic."

FF:   It was obvious that you were holding back, waiting for Barney to make his attack. When did you decide enough was enough and attack yourself?
YU:   "Somewhere in the Pair-a-knees the team car pulled alongside and told met Barney had popped a vein in his forehead."

FF:   Some riders think your big weakness is descending.
YU:   "I got some Hammer Gel in my eye, it's not easy going 70 kilometers an hour with one eye attracting lazy honey bees."

FF:   Equipment certainly played a part in your success. What type of bike frame material do you prefer?
YU:   "Titanium. It's the wave of the future."

FF:   What is the best wheel, Shamal, Spinergy, Specialized, or Mavic?
YU:   "I prefer a wheel built by someone that's been racing and winning for 17 years. It's also important to use someone else's for racing, especially on some of the rougher roads."

FF:   How long do you think your cycling career will last?
YU:   "I'm not going to kill myself at this, I just figure to win seven or ten Tours before retiring."

FF:   What do you plan to do after cycling?
YU:   "My long term goal is to become CEO of Hammer Gel. I just can't get enough of it. I start every morning with pancakes smothered in Hammer Gel!"

FF:   Now that you've got the Tour dialed in, what's next?
YU:   "Well I'd really like to win a classic like the Spokane River Roubaix, then I'm going to upgrade to a Cat III.

Editors Note: For those of you who don't know, Jan Ulrich won the '97 Tour de France. Rick "Yawn" Uhlrich is Jan's spiritual brother. Yawn currently resides/trains in Wenatchee. For more info on riding in Wenatchee with Yawn, click here.

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