Snelling Road Race

Think i had better write this down before the next event...

E3 race, 63 miles, with Bill and Richard
47 o/o 93 starters

I was excited to do this race, feeling confident in my training to date. Thus i did not sleep well the night before.
Richard picked me up at 5:15 and away we sped. Got down in plenty of time to make the most of the 3 lines we had to queue up in (reg, time chip and porta potty). The chip line was huge, VP had better sort that out before the next event that they decide to use it in (me thinks that will be Madera stage race). Then back to the car and change and decide on clothing choices. I went with short sleeve undervest, race jersey, arm warmers and BKW's. Finally I packed my picnic in the pockets.
A small warm up on the rollers, maybe 10 minutes and then over to the staging area where we wait.
Finally the whistle and we roll out at a dismal 15 mph behind the moto ref.

Our team plan was to do nothing on laps 1, 2 and 3. On lap 4 we were to start covering moves, with hopefully Bill getting into the good one. If that plan went south, the plan B was a lead out for Richard who seems to be able to dredge up a good turn of speed from little training. We also intended to ride top 20 the whole race. This is just good practice for any event, but on a circuit were it can be windy, this is doubly so.

Lap one
No wind, so no worries. We ride swiftly along Keyes and make the usual high powered show thru the feed zone. The zig-zag turns are negotiated safely and then over the small rollers to the back side of the course. All the corners have sand on them, less each lap, but it does not stop the pack slowing. I only saw one rider skid out, but it was no drama. A couple of half hearted attempts are made by several teams but nothing sticks. Dave of Metromint is busy, he will not want a field sprint. Onto bumpy Olsen road and at the end of that road my seat tube un-used drinking bottle flies out. Dang.

Lap two
As lap one minus the water bottle loss. the overall speed is not as fast as it can be. No one has railed it and thus the field is very dynamic, more like a crit race. It was incredibly difficult to maintain good field position (top 20). As soon as we got there another surge would occur and your 20 spaces back again.

Lap three
As above.

Lap four
Getting closer to the front, but still no moves to worry about, but then an attack and some riders peel off the front. All Team Integrate riders are out of position to respond.

Lap five
Still no speed. The last time down Olsen it still stays tempo, and the remaining field of 70 dudes all think they can win. After the last turn, the field sprint is 3 deep and gutter to gutter, there is no way thru so i roll in. Apparently, but this is not confirmed, there was a small break that stayed the course and made it in 20 meters ahead of the field.

Epilogue

Good legs, but bad head. I was not very happy with my performance and will endeavor to improve next Sunday. Hopefully the conditions will inspire a better race.

Thanks y'all

http://ronaldmariano.smugmug.com/gallery/7420578_xQim7#478240371_TgVt4

Garry