After my Sunday crit I was mad about my strategy so I was just looking for a race that wasn't so serious. I started on the front as usual and saw a oouple of guys I hung out with from another team Sunday so we talked and warmed up together Tuesday. I was jumping off one of the corners just to mix it up but after a couple of laps of no one taking off with me I just pulled up and let the pack take the lead.
About halfway into the race we're all pretty tight and some dude in front of me actually locks up his rear wheel. Accordion ensues and I about rammed the guy and of course I probably would have lost that battle. I ended up getting around the guy and with about 4 laps left a couple of guys get off the front. We reel them in and I bridge the group up about a 5 second gap. I was spent after that since we were flying at that point. Well we bridge successfully and I have no real recovery going. I see a few people moving up on the last lap and we're strung out in single file.
Around the last corner I start diving into the corner and as the lead group of about 10 or so goes a little wide due to speed and the sprint ensues.
I power up the diesel and stroke it to the line. As I'm hammering I'm picking people up one by one and I see a guy on a Tarmac that is Hammering the sprint. he's my only real threat on this day. I'm maintaining my sprint and can not squeeze the turbo any tighter. I'm making ground up on the power Tarmac as this guy is laying it down and we both pick off everyone. I know the line is coming and this guy isn't getting any weaker but I'm strong in the sprint and we're grinding it. Up to the line, I see the officials and with a throw of the bike, I knew I lost it and came in even with his back wheel. Dammit!!! I'm happy with the finish since I was out of position and impressed with my sprint and this other guys. I'll watch him from now on. As we coast from the sprint I of course catch the guy, slap him on his shoulder and say, "great finish, strong sprint" and he returns the compliment as we cool down.
Had a great ride today in the wind and dropped everyone except a Cat 4 kid that works at the shop and he put the afterburners on with 5 miles to go and I'm not going to lie, I tried to stay with him but he hammered me off his wheel.
60 miles tomorrow and I'll update with the results from Tuesday. I'd like to score some more points this week and am looking forward to Memorial day weekend since I'll have 3 days of racing.
Wow, I felt good Saturday, decent Sunday and just spun around a little on Monday but when I raced Tuesday....ouch. I was gasping for breath, legs felt like they were running on empty and just didn't have any kick. I took fifth after one of the sketchy dudes rubbed my forks trying to jump back into the pack. My sprint is okay but my carry speed seems to be tough right now. I'm not sure what's going on but I'll get it figured out.
I wasn't too upset with my 5th considering some of the guys ahead of me are fairly strong but I always want to do a little better. Anyway, I'm just going to train a lot of intervals and sprints for Memorial weekend since I have 3 races that weekend.
Here's a pic of us coming up the last stretch. Unfortunately there were 3 guys off the front that the pack decided not to chase down last night. I didn't do the work since I ended up pulling the entire pack with me on a bridge last week. I have to remember to do a flyer off the side instead of just grinding from the front to the lead group.
Hope everyone is doing well.
