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What Richard saw:
Category: 2 races
Result: 2 top tens
A local criterium and my first race wasn't until 10am - Luxury! I did
two races. Brian J. was noticeable by his absence - I got home to find a
message from him explaining that he had been called into work. Pity, as
we had a good showing - Ziggy has a good tale to tell.
Elite 4
Matt Idler also rode this race. We didn't get an opportunity to discuss
tactics before the race which is a pity. I think the best time to do
this would be before we begin our warm-ups, as the warm up is usually
finished close to the start of the race, and today I was pre-occupied
with visiting the restroom and getting my wheels to the pit once my
warm-up was complete.
I was caught out at the start. I was expecting "riders ready..." before
the whistle and was drinking from my bottle when the whistle sounded.
Ooops, so I held the bottle with my teeth while I got up to speed,
completely losing any advantage I had gained from starting on the front
row.
I found this a quick, hard race. Maybe this was because my stomach was a
little unsettled and I was bringing up the odd mouthful. Yuk. It took a
while for my insides to settle and I was struggling for first half of
the race.
Matt was riding strong close to the front, mixing it with the
short-lived attacks and generally showing the colours. Nice riding. I
was hanging on and slowly beginning to feel human. With about 6 laps to
go, I took advantage of a slowing on the home straight to motor to the
front and drive the pace for a little way. After my pull, I slotted in
close to the front and it was time to maintain position in preparation
for the sprint.
I was able to stay pretty close to the front and was reasonably well
placed on the final lap. Coming out of the final corner, I did 2 things
wrong: jumped too soon, and in too big a gear. I struggled to turn the
thing, but did manage to roll over in 7th place. Not bad for a race
where I was almost throwing up. I had achieved the bare minimum result
for the day.
Masters 30+ 4/5
I ate something and span the legs gently on the trainer between events
after I had checked that the judges did place me 7th in the 4's. Eugene
and I were in the the masters race. It felt a lot smoother and easier
than the 4's. I think everyone was tired from racing the 4's and I
wasn't complaining - I found it much easier to sit up near the front.
So much so that in the early laps, my thoughts turned to contesting a
prime. When the bell went for the second prime, I was near the front and
was on the lookout for the riders who were interested in going for it.
There were several likely candidates, including one guy who was being
led out by a team mate. Ok, let's follow them and see what happens.
I had chosen wisely. I came round the final corner close to them, but
was a little slow in responding to the jump for the prime. It was clear
that I wasn't competitive, so I shut down well before the line. As we
rolled across, the bell was run for the third prime. Three of us were
off the front as a result of the recent sprint and I tried to get us
organised to stay away to contest the next prime. It didn't happen, but
I slotted myself in near the front, again looking for wheels.
This time, I paid more attention through the final corner, coming
through in 3rd place. The riders in front of me started their sprint and
so did I. Bye folks! I got a good gap and was able to shut down and roll
easily over the line to take the prime. Irving Arguello tried to come
across to pip me, but he had left it too late and I saw him coming.
Cool, a prime!
Now it was time to recover in the shelter of the bunch. While I did
this, Eugene was going off in breaks, hammering at the front and
generally having a good time.
As the laps counted down, I got myself onto the tail of the 4-man Fusion
leadout train. This was a good place to be, as they were clearly
planning to do something in the finale. I just had to stick close and
this I did. At the bell I was behind them in the middle of the bunch and
getting swamped, but my leadout train didn't disappoint. They picked up
the pace and our whole file moved smoothly forward, clear of the
swamping. Beautiful.
I was close to the front through corner 3, a little swamped in turn 4,
bided my time perhaps a little too long in the sprint, but started in
the correct gear this time and wound it up to cross in 6th place.
Awesome, 2 top tens in two races to match my Burlingame double. And a
prime too!
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What Matt I. saw:
Category: 4
Result: Mid-pack
The number 15 must be my number because that is what my placement has
been twice in two weeks of racing.
The race was pretty uneventful from the start. Most of the attacks came
and went, but no one got too far ahead. I got a tongue lashing for not
pulling on one particular section...Sorry! I pulled shortly thereafter.
I put my face in the wind a few times and was constantly looking over my
shoulder for the attacks that were coming. I think I learned that from
watching Ziggy :)
Towards the end, there was more swarming and it was then I started to
pick it up a bit. I looked for richard and spotted him and moved over to
him. Told him I'd help and that my legs were feeling good. We lost each
other again and I was hoping I'd get to help him some at least.
I've got in the habit of not looking at my computer or HRM during the
race and I must say I think it helps. When I saw the lap cards at 5, I
was like " wow " time flies. When I look at the computer, it seems to
take forever!
So now at 5 to go, I kept telling myself don't get swarmed
stay near the front...stay at the front. It was quite hard as some
attacks were going off too. I got pushed back to about the middle when I
felt a big NEED to get to the front, I sprinted down the homestretch to
get myself up at the front. I found a wheel and sat there anticipating
the fury that was going to come in the next few corners.
Approaching
turn 3 I was about the 6th to 8th position and the guy in front of my
suddenly slowed. Almost clipped my front wheel. Before yelling at him
his handlebar completely came off! Don't ask me how, but the whole half
of his handle bar came completely off and was in the palm of his hand.
He looked at it like what!? It was a bit of a chuckle for me and I was
happy he didn't clip me. That threw me off and I dropped a few places
after he pulled off.
Coming into turn 4 and on to the final sprint, I
tried to make up some spots but realized I was in too big of a gear. I
managed to pass some, but it wasn't what I wanted. Richard was blazing
ahead and had a nice finish. I rolled in at 15th unable to do much more
as my legs took a beating with all the chasing.
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What Ziggy saw:
Category: 3
Result: 2nd
No report.
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Pictures
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