He's not just a pro bike racer. He's one of the top workers on one of the top teams (Telekom) in the world, and has been for quite a few years. But he differs from some of the others who've gone from cycling to the Ironman, in that he's not at the end of his cycling career, he's still smack in the middle of it. So here's the first real look our sport will have of a genuine human motor on Hawaii's bike course.

DAN EMPFIELD: How are you going to go on the bicycle? I'm sure you're tired of this question, you're probably thinking about the swim and the run, but I'll ask it anyway.

UDO BOLTS: Sure. I have experience at 60- or 70-Kilometer time trials in the European races, but not for 180-kilometers. The biggest mistake I could make is go out there and give it everything I have and then suffer in the running. I really have to go with some tactics, probably slow down on the descents, just go without pushing. I don't know. I have to se e how it is. Definitely can't go 100-percent from the start like I do in Europe.

DE: Do you have a time in mind for the swim?

UB: No, no. You cannot compare it with pool swimming at all. Here you make no turns. It's open sea, some waves. It's different. If it's 1-hour-10 I'm really happy.

DE: How long have you been swimming?

UB: I've trained for this triathlon 4-weeks now.

DE: Really?

UB: Because my season was going 'till the 17th of September.

DE: It must be very difficult to train for triathlon when you have a season going with Telekom.

UB: It is very difficult. It's very hard to prepare for a marathon run in 4-weeks. If I come through [the finish] I'll have done most of it with a strong mind, not because of the body.

DE: Why did you have an interest in the Ironman? Of all the people, of all the races, it seems so funny... I mean, let's put it this way. We have Lance Armstrong, Chann McRae, Spencer Smith all going from triathlon to cycling, the last time a cyclist came to triathlon was 20-years ago, and that was after John Howard's career in cycling was finished. Same thing with Steve Hegg this year. But you're still in the thick of a cycling career.

UB: Yes. It's another kind of physical pain, another kind of physical boundary for your body. I know how it is to climb a 25-kilometer alp in the Tour de France, but I don't know how it is to cycle after a 3.8-kilometer swim, and run after it.

DE: I guess you'll find out.

UB: I will find out, it's the reason I'm doing it. Most are scared to try another sport, but it's good for your mind, it's good to get to know other people and be in contact with other sportsmen. It's the real nice thing of it.

DE: Two or three questions about your bike if you don't mind. First of all, is this the same bike you would use in the time-trial during a bike race.

UB: This is a time-trial bike for the spring season. During the summer season I get a carbon fiber bike. This is an aluminum frame. But I changed the position, I raised the bars just a little, because I want to be more relaxed, more comfortable for riding 180-Ks. The frame is the same as I ride in the road racing time trials.

DE: I notice you're using a lot of Profile Design equipment on the front. Carbon-X bars, Quick-stop brake levers. Are they a sponsor? Or did you buy it?

UB: I'll tell you the truth, Lothar Leder, he organized it for me. He gave me these things and I put it on.

DE: It's not an agreement between you and Profile?

UB: Lothar got from Profile for me, and I'm really glad that they support me a little bit. For me it's a real nice thing, it's a carbon fiber handlebar and everything works perfect together.

DE: How 'bout the wheels.

UB: It's German. Lightweight. A two-man company, they work in a little store in Bavaria.

DE: Well, very good luck. I think you'll enjoy it.

UB: You think so?

DE: I think you'll enjoy it in a strange sort of way.