CAT 4 Race
25 guys lined up to kick off my 2012 racing season. Since I was doing 2 races I was going to try and get a good result in the first race and then race aggressive and see what happens in the second race. I tried to show extreme patience, wait my turn while sucking as little wind as possible in the 4’s. it was an uneventful race. With 2 to go a pair of riders attacked; a the pack lightly chased; but in my mind these attackers couldn't hold on. I decided I would wait and try and either bridge; chase or attack on the bell lap. The guys up the road faded, then another rider attacked. This guy was dangerous; I chased and took the field with me. As I started to fade on the back stretch a young ISCorp rider surged on my left, as the gap grew I tried to grit my teeth and bring it back but the race was his. As we headed into the final turn riders surged on each side of me and I faded back. A rider from Half Acre clipped a pedal and hit the ground hard. I was behind the crash and stopped safely. It’s too bad a crash happened, but swarming into the final corner 3 wide is a recipe for disaster. I sat up, rolled in safe and sound, no result to note.
CAT 1/2/3 Race
With the extended delay due to the crash in the prior race the Cat 3 race and Cat 1/2 race were combined. There were about 20 or so starters. The race started with the normal attacks and chases. I threw in a few, but Jason Mesberg (Flatlandia & one of the evil minds behind The Lelend Kermesse) made one stick. His wife Kristen guarded the front as others tried to bring back Jason. After a few laps his break was over, wonderful panache was shown. After a couple more attacks a group of 3 broke away including an ISCorp Rider, Kristen Meshberg (Spidermonkey), and another strong rider wearing a skinsuit (very aero). They were going to make this break stick and I asked Konrad Witt (team?) if he wanted to get into the break, I told him I would get him half away and he would have to do the rest. I took Konrad across the gap and he joined the break as I faded. I regrouped at the back of the main group for a couple laps. Coming through the start / finish with about 15 minutes left in the race I saw some guys bitching about pulling through and what not at the front. They were not peddling; I put it down through the gutter on the right side and was clear through the first turn. I had a sizeable gap and I buried myself and when I looked back a lap later I didn't see the group. On the next lap Jason Meshberg bridged and worked together on and off. With 2 to go a group of two bridged and a group of 4 formed. There was only 1 Cat 1 in the group Rob Springer (Wheel and Sprocket). He agreed to lead out the sprint for the 4 man group as he had clinched his race (1’s were scored separate). I was second wheel and he had us geared out and flying into the home stretch, with about 150 meters to go Jason Meshberg came around me, I finshed 6th or 7th in the race, not sure on the official results.
Great fun, great workout and I got to wear my skinsuit.
Thanks to my cheering section (Maggie and Peanut)
