A new ride for Mirinda Carfrae

2010 Ironman World Champion Mirinda Carfrae 2011 has a new partnership with Felt bicycles through the year 2014 and she had a few words with slowtwitch about the changes.

Slowtwitch: Happy New Year to you and congrats on the new partnership with Felt.

Mirinda: Happy New Year right back at ya and thank you. I am pretty excited to be teaming up with Felt in 2011 and beyond.

ST: After your win in Kona did you have quite a few brands come knocking?

Mirinda: There were a number of bike companies interested, and at first I was committed to staying with Cannondale, but after chatting with Felt I had a little thinking to do. Felt was actually the only other company we negotiated with. I wasn't interested in getting into a bidding war, money wasn't my main focus - I wanted to make the right decision for my future in the sport and in the end Felt was that perfect fit for me.

ST: The ink on the contract is most likely barely dry, but when would you say will we see you first time competing on a Felt?

Mirinda: At this point my first race on the Felt will be Ironman NZ, I would love to have a shorter race before the IM but think I will be flat out trying to get in shape by March the 5th.

ST: It appears there will be a 650c version of the DA. Has that all been confirmed with you?

Mirinda: Yes, the DA will come with 650c, after riding 650's in Kona this year I wouldn't go back to 700c.

ST: Have you gone through bike fitting with Felt already or seen any geometry numbers yet?

Mirinda: I have sent through a bunch of measurements and Jim (Felt) has been pouring over bike photos from Kona, he has lots of ideas for my fit on the Felt but we will not be doing anything too dramatic until I get into the wind tunnel. Jim wanted me in there immediately but it looks like we may have to wait till April or May for a date that fits my schedule.

ST: When was the last time you actually were in the wind tunnel, or will this effort with Jim Felt be a first?

Mirinda: This will be my first time in the wind tunnel. I'm excited about the opportunity to learn a little about aerodynamics & of course, improve my efficiency on the bike.

ST: Do you consider yourself a numbers person when it comes to you fit on the bike or are you relying on outside help?

Mirinda: I usually leave bike fit up to the experts. I've have been working with Mat Steinmetz from Retul for the past year.

ST: What other bikes will be part of your new Felt quiver?

Mirinda: I am also looking forward to climbing aboard the AR1 road bike and definitely one of their cruiser bikes - they have so many cool cruisers to choose from.

ST: Once you get your cruiser, you can challenge Julie Dibens to a cruiser triathlon challenge.

Mirinda: That is a great idea, are there triathlon races with cruisers or will we have to make up our own? This could be a fun summer challenge - we just need Trek to send Julie a cruiser (don't think she has one) & not a fancy aero one either. Dibens are you game?

ST: Is your race schedule for 2011 completely dialed in?

Mirinda: Yup, I like to plan out my race schedule well in advance so that I can map out my training blocks and ensure I am getting the optimal amount of work leading into Kona.

ST: Ironman New Zealand is new for you this year. Is there anything else on that schedule that we might be surprised about?

Mirinda: No not really I only put IMNZ in the schedule so that I could secure my qualification for the Ironman World Champs, after that I will settle back into my usual race schedule starting with Oceanside in early April.

ST: Anything else new?

Mirinda: I am re-signing with Gu and have a couple of other exciting partnerships in the pipeline. Other than that my coach and I are just getting ready for an amazing 2011.