August doesn't disappoint
After nearly 8 weeks without racing coming into the State TT weekend I had no idea what to expect for the month of August. Midway through my solid block of late Summer racing I can say things are going great and getting better. Going back in time for a second, I won the Driveway crit the Thursday heading into Criterium Nationals. Last time I got top 10 at nationals I went into the weekend coming off a Driveway win. Aside from the fact it was a smaller field and our team stacked the break I took it as an indication I should expect nothing less than another top 10.
Three days later and two Sundays ago Crit Nats was held outside of Chicago. In dry, sunny conditions (unlike 2007) this race is a real joy… for about 45 miles. The last 5 one-mile laps are truly nervous and aggressive and every year I have done it since 2005 is where the real racing starts. This year the windup started even further out. I recall seeing about 7 to go and already there was lots of bumping and riders chopping corners and inevitably hitting the deck. With every passing lap though there are fewer riders truly in with a chance of winning. At the very nose of the race there are 20 riders swarming and bunching but beyond that as my teammates can attest, it’s lined out single file with little opportunity or room to advance. In the sweet spot things are equally claustrophobic as the nation’s top crit racers all try to ride in the same spot. As we passed through the final lap to go teams had the field lined out as best they could. In this case three teams had between 3-4 riders a piece and then following them the free-lancers like myself. One of the most successful free-lancing amateurs in history washed out right in front of me with only a half-lap to go. I had to adjust then ride the adrenaline rush back on the wheel as the front of the field was cresting the hill in full flight. Ideally I would have been countering over the hill instead of reaching the back of the contenders in about 20th place. From the top of the hill to the bottom is pretty much a blink of the eye and though I was able to move up a lot of placings in the final 500m I simply ran out of room and settled for 10th. Considering about 170 cat. 1 riders line up to contest nationals I have to at least be content to be within 3 bike lengths of the jersey. Unfortunately at this level there are ten others that are equally close.
Following a very abbreviated work week my teammates and I lined up for the Hotter ‘n Hell crit last Friday night. After about 45 minutes I found myself in a very select group with equal representation from teams. I loved my chances in the group especially after watching others racing so hard for primes. I prefer to race for wins not watches… Alas with all the poor cooperation in the group, likely due to the absurd frequency of the primes, we were all absorbed with three very short laps to go. I still went for the finish but like the would-be winner of the race, sprinted for the GIANT INFLATABLE BANNER instead of the inconspicuous tape line 50m beyond it. Instead of a top five finish, all of a sudden I was knocked back to top 10. Hats off to those riders attentive enough to know the finish line. I have no excuse for my mistake. The next morning before 7am we departed for a 100 mile jaunt through the quaint towns of Iowa Park, Burkburnett and of course Wichita Falls. Sometimes races end up less aggressive and selective than expected and any chance of a result is up the road. Unfortunately this scenario happened for me and a list of other top riders who marked each other right out of contention. I regret the way this race turned out but am thrilled to report I finished the race with 2 full bottles of water!? Dean, TX has historically been my competitive Waterloo. Out of water and thoroughly dehydrated, I have found myself riding out the final 10 miles even if I’m still racing for a top 5.
Next up we head to Gateway Cup and if we’re really lucky I will have a long-winded write up for that race as well. Four days of crits in urban St. Louis. I couldn’t be more excited. I’m looking to turn my excellent sensations into SOLID RESULTS. I can honestly say last Saturday I was the fittest rider ever to place 28th in a regional race. Anyways, wish me luck.