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Jon Ortuondo, from L’Uomo col Martello

In the imaginary world of superheroes, ORTU would be the perfect name for Jon Ortuondo alter ego. Lives cycling like few others. He enjoys it, he practices it in a radical way and he works it, before at 3T and now in his new and ambitious project at the Tete de la Course. In Milan he is the star and pioneer of what was / is the fixed gear movement in Italy, and in 2010 he won the RHC by beating one of the best like Neil Bezdek. Well, we’ve talked a lot, now lets give the floor to Jon.

1. Who is Jon Ortuondo?

One can safely say that he is passionate about cycling, so someone having fun, socializing, traveling and generally grows and lives on the bike. In addition to meeting these typical characteristics of “passionate” Jon is doomed to cause (that doesn’t mean that he’s unlucky) also in the professional field, working for the technical development of cycling, as a designer (Tetedelacourse) and biomechanic (Fit4Bike). Working for your passion is a double-edged sword.

2. How’d you get involved the world of fixed gear?

I remember perfectly but I have a terrible memory. The crush was in a movie theater in Milan back in 2006, and it was the Bicycle Film Festival and they were projecting Mash SF. I was surprised to meet other fixed gear enthusiasts who I don’t know. When I left that room just wanted to make me a fixed gear bike which was not nearly as easy as it is now. There began a long history of material wastage, and it looks like it’s simple … I’m riding bike that will be my sixth fixed-gear bike in 8 years, which I think says something about the level of waste. With the amazing experiences I have lived on these five bikes will be hard to leave, though admittedly not live with the same intensity as when I lived in Milan.

3. What training do you follow during the year?

Training … like as any other rider that still likes him self what we call training I don’t train, in case for the Red Hook. First of all I always try to have fun, I have to be careful with this, because if I look back at my relationship with the bike if I get disgusted with all I have to completely change my life and it’s a little to tiring to do that. For fun especially riding with friends and I try to change. Chronologically; I start the year with a bicycle lethargy for a couple of months, in January I start rolling road especially with groups on Sunday, alternating with some MTB for more adrenaline and fun. In spring marches start both road and MTB ‘s start a little more serious bites, say a little more serious because I always peak bitten but not appropriate for training. I guess it’s one of the many advantages of not being a pro. In summer, looking at the at the fixed gear criterium I begin training. The circuit last year and probably this was and is: Oñate , Gijon, RHC Barcelona and RHC Milan.

4. Crits. How do you prepare before a race?

I do not think that I’am the best person to answer… I guess with many series, changes of pace and power series. In the latest edition of RHC Milano, the fastest one I’ve raced, I was impressed with the solicitation of my upper body, with arms, abs… were busted. When the crits start showing up I usually go to the velodrome to do specific work outs and especially hard MTB rides. We you go out to have fun you always can give more of your self.

5. Red Hook Crit is becoming a global phenomenon, how do you see the future of this competition?

Buff, it’s difficult to predict. Personally I would like it to stay more or less as it is now, you can say at a level that it keeps it fun and pure. And although it seems a delicate balance, I think the danger will beavoided, at least in the short term, it’s absorbed by the road racing. Although aesthetically it’s like road crits, I think it’s closer to MTB as a discipline. Of course it will be difficult to keep RHC as the only international competition reference.

In 2010 the RHC was not nearly what it’s now even thou it was in relation to our fixed gear world. That’s what I think we can say that the races have been grown along with the movement. Back then I tried a media presence and recognition that had never lived, that I wish to everybody that tries to get there goal. I think as humans we need that recognition when normally is given less than what we need, so we better start learning to recognize our self ;)

6. In 2010 you won the 2010 RHC Milano. What memories do you have from your victory in Milano? And what do you remember about that time in your life?

Those years were fixed and only fixed, everything we did it was around the fixed gear scene, we were part of something important and real, and the time shows me that it was so. My experiences and more intimate with the city went through the fixed gear and certainly the most important friendships I have today, I met them on the bike. There are things in time that will always remain in my memory, things like that though PipeGang and rarely can be found in the streets of Milan, remain safe in our hearts and some tattoos. Yes, I get melancholy.

You could say that 2010 represents RHC Milano for my other stadium in Milan with that relationship with, let’s say a city that doesn’t stand out precisely for their hospitality and ease of integration. The 2010 RHC Milano made me feel for the first time at home. The home side put nervous about the arrival of a generous group of Americans, could not allow a foreigner to win a race at home, a home with such cycling tradition… The funny thing was that as the race unfolded I was increasingly seen more like the local candidate, I felt the support of the public as never before, because I have never felt a support that made me feel confident and capable of doing it. No doubt it had much to do in the win over Neil, as soon as we recovered a little breath told me (…) and look that they told me to keep an eye on you (…). After the race many friends and acquaintances showed me there satisfaction that victory that staid home, and although it seems contradictory I also see it that way, and I feel “at home” every time I race in Milano.

7. L’Uomo col Martello. How was it born and who formed part of it?

It was clearly born from Pipegang, the crew that we were apart of the firsts couple of years of fixed in Milano. Born of the geographical dispersion of that group and the desire to maintain that relationship, as to get back together every once and a wile to delve on those bikes that made us know each other and that united us strongly. L’Uomo col Martello is primarily a project, a brand, ideals, and if we understand it as a group, then it’s an inclusive group. The core of this group is created by Antton Zubia, Francesco Dolfo, Mickael Colautti and a server.

8. Which is the essence of the LCM?

LCM is a means of finding the perfect cycling experience, a tool in search to pure cycling and it’s values, such as sacrifice, challenge, friendship… Our core business missions are generally routes with historical collections, interesting cultural features and beautiful sceneries.

9. Were does the name l’Uomo col Martello come from?

We like the extreme, the limit, because as you approach it all becomes more crucial and intense, the emotions, relationships, memories .. but on the other hand, if you want the limits from time to time you get to it, which is not exactly pleasant. Here as in so many aspects of cycling we could draw a parallel line and compare it with life it’s self.

L’Uomo col Martello, also known as “man with the hammer”, “mace man” or “Monsieur Deck” like Perico would say. Of all the limits is when your burnout is perhaps the most popular for cyclists. Popular and intimate becomes the perfect thread to start a conversation between two cyclists who they barely know. Therefore it’s the name of our blog.

10. Know that you are also with Tete de la course, could you explain that about?

In early 2012 I decided to go home after spending nearly 6 years in Italy, which wasn’t compatible with my job at 3T. So I had to leave as 3T and I didn’t find a local option to continue working in the bicycle industry I was forced to create that option, that is, auto hire myself as a designer/engineer for the bike industry. Shortly thereafter, Antton Zubia, friend, former classmate and component PipeGang decided to embark on the same adventure. Antton’s designer and engineer and, like me, had previously worked for the sector, first Milano (Italy) and then at Nomad Cycles. We were thinking about doing something together some time ago, so immediately we combine forces to create “Tete de la course” a common brand that represented us and allow us to make a living with what we really like. Product and graphic design for brands in the industry and offer courses of mechanical and other materials related to the use of the bicycle.

Many people told us that we are fortunate to do what we like, and honestly without trying to be presumptuous, don’t think so. But I feel fortunate to do it the way that I like, and most of it I think I owe it to those people that I work

11. Future projects?

In referenc to the L’Etape du Tour this year, in late May will make a kind of trip preparation called 3Boundaries. It’s primarily a stage passing through three countries: Italy, Slovenia and Austria234 km and 7.500 m of positive slope, a stage from the past, of the days when cycling was perhaps the best approached by the character mountaineering expedition and the adventure that had stages.

Later on, we have another mission scheduled for July 19th – 20th. On the 19th  we will participate in the Critérium on fixed gears in Oñate that we will have good post race atmosphere to used for race and after changing bikes to depart for France in order to be at the start of L’Etape du Tour on Sunday morning. It will be an intense 24h.

On the pipeline there are a lot of missions pending on some help to make it come true.

12. Among the bike you’ve got, which one’s your favorite?

Uhmmm’s it’s like when people ask me about my favorite hero… Do I have to feel weird not having one? Normally my favorite bikes are the ones I don’t have… I have maybe thats why my job is “designing bikes.”

13. Small phrase of your passion for cycling.

Let’s burry the one of “passion is a double-edged sword” and change it for “anything is possible if there is passion.” And I mean it.

14. Thanks to…

Thank you guys for that passion, because it’s also good for us that are around it. I hope we can ride together soon.