Our race began 40 minutes late because the Cat5 race prior to ours had a bad crash in it and EMS was called to the scene. While waiting around, the weather turned worse and worse. We now had sprinkle and a rumble in the distance.
Finally, we lined up and were off. Lap 1 was a neutral lap because EMS was still on the course at the last km of the 2 mile course. Once we passed, the hammer dropped and we were strung out. There were a couple teams represented out there including Team Paisa, Colavita, and AJ's bikes. I stayed towards the front the first 7-8 laps as I needed to if a group were to break away. The sky just openned up and we were being shot at by the torrential downpour. But the race continued on. About lap 9, I just missed the break and was doing most of the chasing myself with one other guy. I was doing long pulls and was starting to feel the affects of the hard work. About lap 12, the Pros caught up with us and absorbed our field and I had a sign of relief that we would be able to pull back alot of time from the break group and I wouldn't have to do as much work although the pace would be higher. I stayed towards the middle-front of the giant Pro1/2 and Cat3 field and kept positioin. In the final lap, I slowly tried to work my way closer to the front and ended up 12th for the Cat3.
A very solid effort for my priority B race and my training focus since the last race about 1 month ago really paid off. I felt strong and was able to hold long pulls. I was agressive when needed (although I missed the break), and held confidence when surrounded by a large field. I didn't get discouraged when Colavita was soft pedalling to increase the gap with their man in the break. I would have like to have placed higher, but I would call this race a success. No crashing with standing water turns, wet roads, and the downpour. This has been the 1st crit since last season where I crashed in the 2 crit prior.
Thanks to my dad for coming out and supporting me in the rain, and of course Desiree who ended up treating me to California Pizza Kitchen! I love that place.
Finally, we lined up and were off. Lap 1 was a neutral lap because EMS was still on the course at the last km of the 2 mile course. Once we passed, the hammer dropped and we were strung out. There were a couple teams represented out there including Team Paisa, Colavita, and AJ's bikes. I stayed towards the front the first 7-8 laps as I needed to if a group were to break away. The sky just openned up and we were being shot at by the torrential downpour. But the race continued on. About lap 9, I just missed the break and was doing most of the chasing myself with one other guy. I was doing long pulls and was starting to feel the affects of the hard work. About lap 12, the Pros caught up with us and absorbed our field and I had a sign of relief that we would be able to pull back alot of time from the break group and I wouldn't have to do as much work although the pace would be higher. I stayed towards the middle-front of the giant Pro1/2 and Cat3 field and kept positioin. In the final lap, I slowly tried to work my way closer to the front and ended up 12th for the Cat3.
A very solid effort for my priority B race and my training focus since the last race about 1 month ago really paid off. I felt strong and was able to hold long pulls. I was agressive when needed (although I missed the break), and held confidence when surrounded by a large field. I didn't get discouraged when Colavita was soft pedalling to increase the gap with their man in the break. I would have like to have placed higher, but I would call this race a success. No crashing with standing water turns, wet roads, and the downpour. This has been the 1st crit since last season where I crashed in the 2 crit prior.
Thanks to my dad for coming out and supporting me in the rain, and of course Desiree who ended up treating me to California Pizza Kitchen! I love that place.
Next race- Webster Roubaix- Saturday 4/3/2010
Tune in for details.
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