Category: B
Result: Did not finish

I felt pretty good about the course. They ran it opposite of race 1. It was fast and I could easily handle the technical sections. Had a long, straight, fast pavement :) I was able to get enough pre-riding in that I had my gearing down pat. The course did have one seriously soupy section that was switch back In my pre-ride I was able to watch the A's take the best lines and had mastered what I would do. I got in a pretty good warm up, was eager and pumped to start the race.

Only one goal, that was to start at the front. (In a CX series they have a roll call for the top 10 guys. They get to start in the front...lucky bastards). Soon after the top 10 were called up I stuck onto a pretty fast guy's rear wheel.(Just like Biker Bob) They blow the whistle and we are hammering. Things got pretty hairy fast, as two guys crashed into each other and the barrier, holding up a good chunk of the field. (ala sprint finish crash in LeTour). Because I was at the front I missed it. I was in the top 7 going onto the course. First time at the front in the beginning of a CX race. Things are a bit hairy.A bit of traffic. People act stupid. Guys that shouldn't be there are slowing you down. So to be aggressive pays off. I was caught up by two different guys that just couldn't ride the course.

Going into lap, 2 I almost blow up. I pushed it a bit too hard on the straight. So I loose just a couple of spots. I'm about 13th at this point. Make a strong move in the soupy section, move up to about 8th. Punch through towards the paved straight. Go through an "S" curve....while blasting through a corner I hit a rock and blow out my tire.... At the furthest point away from any spare wheel...(Insert foul language here >:o ) I start running hoping there is a spare at the start/ finish.(which was a good half lap) The field blows by me...I get to the start/finish and no wheel. I left mine in my car....won't do that again...(Insert foul language here with term: I'm Stupid >:o ) So there you go. Had I not had the flat I'm sure I would have top ten. I was feeling too strong to not move up.

Lessons learned:
1. Where to put a hidden spare
2. Stick on a fast wheel asap and be a bit more aggressive at the beginning...

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