|
|
Geneva Mills Race Cyclery Criterium, a 6 turn, 0.8 mile course in downtown Geneva that included a slight and tight downhill into turn 3 and a gradual rise between turns 4 & 5. This was the first cat 3 Superweek race of the 2010 season. Burnham Racing rolled up 6 deep for this race: Eric, Andy, Jeff, Nate, Jason M, and myself.
The plan is always to win, but today called for somebody else. Nate, one of our resident sprinters, dubbed himself Mark Renshaw for the day and was ready to give an amazing leadout if the time came for Jason and Jeff. Eric, Andy, and I were given the clear to get into a break.
“Today you have free reign to do all the stupid stuff you want!” These were the first words that Eric said to me when talking about the race. “Sweet!” was my response. Today wouldn’t be any different than how I normally race, on or near the front, even if I don’t need to be there. My goal for the race was to get into a break and see what would happen after that.
Starting position was terrible. I had trouble clipping in and found myself near the back, exactly where I didn’t want to be, once the whistle blew. I waited until we hit the slight uphill and started to move up. By the time we crested the hill and made the right turn, and I slotted in top 10. Attacks came quick and often but nothing stayed away for too long early on.
About 10 laps in of the 35 lap race, a group of four got off the front with Eric in the break. Burnham Racing took position near the front to help keep it away or go with chasers. A couple of laps later two riders bridged up and a lap after that Andy followed Al Urbanski and they made it to the break. Awesome! Burnham has two guys in an eight man break. As the laps counted down, the field slowly caught up. If they got caught, I wanted to be the next to go.
With 9 laps (7.2 miles) left the field caught the break just after turn 5. I was near the front and after catching them, shifted and put in a little dig. Before the final turn, I looked back to see if anyone was with me. No one. This would be interesting. I dug a little harder and after the slight downhill into turn 3 I looked back and my gap had increased. It never occurred to me that I could stay away for the last 9 laps with the field hot on my tail. But looking back a few times, I saw the entire field together and no one giving chase.
At 5 laps to go, I was in the fields’ sight only on the 2 long straights. This was a nice cushion. I heard Nate and Jim Scott (Project 5) on the side of the road telling me to keep pushing and settle in. I was settled in alright. I rented a room in the Pain Cave Motel for the next 5 laps. Rates were reasonable: sweat, dry mouth, and of course pain, lots of it.
The laps slowly counted down. At one point, I looked up and saw 3 laps to go. I tried to keep my mind away from the hurt I was dishing to myself. 2.4 miles left; you can do this; breath; drink; breath; steady your breathing; drink. Through the start/finish line on the next lap, the announcer says “3 laps to go!” Crap! It was 3 laps the last lap. Ok, reset the thinking. 2.4 miles to go. I look back and see two riders bridging, but the field wasn’t close to them. They catch me with 2 to go and I sit 3rd wheel for the next lap. As the lead rider pulled off, I slid back and let him slot in 2nd wheel, just wanting a chance to recover a bit.
The bell lap. I chose my spot to start my sprint if we were still together. The street before the final turn was it. Turn 1 done. Turn 2 done and down through the choppy turn 3. Turn 4 and up the hill still sitting 3rd wheel. After we crest the hill and make the penultimate turn, my focus is on my mark.
The lead rider pulls off and we are nearing the beginning of my attack. As this rider slots in behind me, my mark was hit and off I went. Over the bricks and through the turn, dancing on the pedals like a Pro Tour sprinter does. I look to the left, then right as the line nears and the other two guys are not there. I cross the line and throw up one arm for my victory salute. This was my second career WIN and first as a Cat 3. It couldn’t be any better.
I rounded corner one and rolled up to a shady spot, unclipped, dropped the bike and laid on my back, trying to catch my breath. The team came up to me and patted me on the chest. I stood up, thanked and hugged everyone of them like Mark Cavendish does to his guys after he wins a sprint. Because of their work, I was able to stay away and I appreciate all of their help. This was a total team effort. Thanks guys! And thanks to Geneva Mills Race Cyclery Criterium and Superweek for a great race.
|
|
Print this
|
Send this
| Hits:
381
Archive |
|
More by
Nick Gierman
|
RESULTS
|
|
