Two years ago pro cyclist Saul Raisin had a horrific accident during the Circuit de la Sarthe and was in a coma for several days. Many then thought he might not survive, but this tenacious young man is now raising hope and a few eyebrows in a different sport.
ST: Saul, you had a life changing experience, can you tell us how you are feeling these days?
Saul: I feel great!! I have now the chance to start my life over and what else can a person ask for? I also am fortunate enough and time to devote my time and efforts to the Raisin Hope foundation to help others who have acquired a traumatic brain injury. I now can reach out further too and affect people’s lives more than I could have ever done on a bicycle. I also have some worries and doubts, as my future is uncertain as far as not having a good job for 2009. I need to find a job to help support my family in 2009. I would like to do something that sparks my interest. I do not know yet what it will be but one thing is for sure. The best is yet to come.
ST: We would like to know more about the Raisin Hope foundation.
Saul: I have created the Raisin Hope Foundation to help transform hope into knowledge. My goal is threefold: (1) Raise funding to support brain injury research, (2) Connect individuals and families whose lives have been affected by a brain injury with support and information regarding medical, physical, and emotional recovery and (3) to promote public awareness and understanding of people with disability as a result of brain injury.
ST: You recently received Toyota’s Engine of Change Award at the 16th annual Competitor Endurance Sport Awards. Tell us about it.
Saul: It was a real honor. My award symbolized someone that is making a change in the sporting world. It makes me feel good to know that I recognized for all my hard work to do the US Pro time trial championships. For me, I hope I can be an example for other athletes. Being a professional cyclist is more than just winning. It is being a good role model for others. Last September I was in last place on the overall classification at the US Pro time trial. But for me, my team and many others I had won that day. All this is what makes Toyota’s Engine of Change award so special.
ST: The manager of Team Credit Agricole Roger Legeay has been very supportive of you. Are you still close to him and your former teammates?
Saul: Yes we are still very close. One thing that makes my team so special is that we are more like a family. We are good friends and we look out for each other. I talk with Roger and several of my teammates weekly.
ST: Not too many people know about your first "almost life ending" cycling accident that actually got you on Credit Agricole in the first place. Can you talk about that?
Saul: That incident happened in the race called Trans Alsace. I was just 3rd in Ronde de l’Izard and best young rider. I had a few top ten places in several U23 world cups. The day of the race at the start, the Credit Agricole Espoir team director Lionel Marie offered me a contract to race with them. I told him that I was interested and I would let him know. We started the race and about half way through the first stage one of the best guys in the race attacked. I followed him and he clipped a metal roadside barrier. I ran right into the barrier and flipped over it and crashed into a cement wall. Lionel Marie was the first car behind the race and as he drove by he saw a Team USA guy laying in a pool of blood. He jumped out of the car did and not even stop it. The car ran in to a ditch but he could care less. He ran over to me and I noticed that I was not breathing. So he tried to open my airway and I spit up a lot of blood and bit him in the finger. I had knocked out several teeth and my face was huge and swollen. I went back to the USA and exchanged some emails with Lionel. Two weeks later I went back to Belgium to the national team house. I signed the contract with the Credit Agricole Espoir team and did two races with them. Then I flew back to Canada and I did the world championships. Lionel is now a team director for team Slipstream. He and I are still very good friends and to this day he has trouble feeling the finger I tried to bite off.
ST: Rumor has it that you have been seen running and swimming, is that true?
Saul: Yes. I have huge blisters all over my feet from running. I went to my doctor to see what was wrong and he said. Well Saul, most people when they start to run they start off with a couple miles. You did your first run and did 9 miles. You have to pace yourself. Running is my weakness as I have not done is since I was 10 years old. I love to swim and I try to swim 3 times a week if I can work it in. Like I said: I am worried more about running.
ST: So will we see you in a triathlon some time soon?
Saul: Yes. I will start and do them for fun. Triathlon’s are a wonderful sport and I want to give them a go.
ST: What is your training volume these days and how does it compare to before the accident?
Saul: I do on average 15-17 hours a week of endurance sports (running, biking, swimming), as compared to before my accident when I was doing on average 30hours+ weeks of just cycling. That is a big change.
ST: Is there anyone you train with on a regular basis?
Saul: Yes, I have a few friends I run and swim with, but no one at this moment except for a few young guys are crazy enough to ride with me in this cold weather here in Salt Lake.
ST: How were you set up on your TT bike?
Saul: I actually need to work on my position bad. Right now I am set up high for comfort and power. I need to move my position down low so I can work on speed and still have power.
ST: Can you tell us how many bikes you currently have and what they are?
Saul: I have 2 of the best bikes on the planet. I have the LOOK 595 and LOOK 496 for time trials. Both bikes are seriously the best bikes I have ever been on. I have seen and rode almost every bike. The craftsmanship that goes into a hand made carbon LOOK bike is amazing. It takes roughly 32 hours of work to finish each hand made frame.
ST: Do you follow any other sports?
Saul: Not really, I know I am boring.
ST: What sports did you take part when you grew up?
Saul: I wrestled, swimming, La Foot (soccer), football American, Rock climbed, I did one triathlon, karate, baseball, roller hockey, not sure what else.
ST: What is your favorite and least favorite food?
Saul: My favorite food is Sushi and my least favorite is fried food and ground up meat products.
ST: What about music, what do you like?
Saul: I love all music but it depends what kind of mood I am in. If you were in the car with me you might be listening to 2pac, Bone Thugs or Garth Brooks as I listen and love everything.
ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?
Saul: I want to be a role model for any one with TBI to show them and their families that they can overcome it. Please visit my website for more information about me, the Raisin Hope Foundation and even to donate online.
www.saulraisin.com
