Besides Proctor, this race was probably 2nd on my list of races to do well in.  My family and a few friends were there to cheer me on.  I have been looking forward to this race since Peoria.  The course, very familiar, a rectangle with smooth corners, a slight downhill on the back side and a petite rise to the finish. 

I did a little recruiting for today's race.  Nate (Spidermonkey) and I talked at Proctor and I asked if he would lead me out, I would return the favor at our next race, and he agreed.   Before the race, I asked Chris (Pegasus) if he would help me out under the same conditions, and he agreed.   

I lined up at the front with Nate and Chris up there too.  xXx had a couple of riders, Met Cycling had 3 guys, but the field was relatively small, only 25 riders.  This might be due to the 4/5 field and the Masters 4/5 field before and after the Cat 4 race.  

The race started slow, and I thought this might be due to the length of the race and it would pick up after a few laps.  This, however, did not happen.  It seemed like everyone was content to let it go slow and save themselves for the sprint.  These were the exact words I heard from a couple of riders in the field.  

There were a few flyers.  An IIT rider went off the front early, but the field brought him back.  The field didn't let anything get off the front too far.  I took a few pulls at the front to get the pace up from the 20-22 mph monotony, kicking it up to 28+ mph.  Nate and Chris did a lot of work covering gaps and attempted breaks and I owe them a huge thanks.  Both did some work at the front dictating the pace, as well.  

So the plan was to stick in the top ten and not expend too much energy before the final sprint, to where Nate would lead me out; Chris and Nate would be on the lookout for riders going off the front.  This worked out very well.  I didn't do a lot of work, and it showed when looking at my PowerTap numbers post race.  I did get antsy in the pack and and to control myself from getting on the front to do a longer pull to get the pace up.  The slow pace of the race made a few guys impatient.

About 8 laps in, a group of 3 riders goes off the front.  Nate bridges up to them and the 4 riders were off the front for about 5 laps.  Nate did a great job at making the break not stick (at least that is what it looked like from the field).  We brought them back and Alex (Spidermonkey) attacked and was off the front for about 5 laps solo.  We brought him back and the field settled for a while.  

With 8 laps to go, a Met Cycling rider rode off the front on the back stretch.  Coming into turn 3 he opened up a 10 bike length gap and gaining space.  I decided I would make the jump.  There was another Met rider on the front and he let me go.  I caught the Met rider about half way down the finishing straight and we had a pretty good size gap.  I let him know this and we go.  We were caught at turn 2 and then settled back into the field for the rest of the race.  

I figured the pace would pick up with 5 to go, but it didn't until 3 to go.  Chris was on the front dictating the pace the last lap and a half.  Coming into turn 4, Nate jumped (as planned) from 3 back.  I was not on his wheel (not planned), but 5 back from the front.  I was one rider back from him and when Nate jumped, the rider in front of me opened up a gap.  Turn 4 approached and coming out of it, Johnathan from xXx was up in front of me.  I made it up to him and followed his wheel to Pablo's.  

When I hit Pablo's, I laid it all on the line.  Nate was right ahead of me and I was closing on him.  However, the line was closing on both of us.  I was yelling for him to slow down, but I didn't expect him to, and I don't think he heard me.  I got to his rear wheel right when he crossed the line in first.  Doh!!!  

I was very pleased with the result.  It would have been nice to take victory in my hometown race, but a podium in front of family, friends, and teammates was awesome.  This was a great way to start off Superweek.  Congrats Nate on the win, that was a huge jump.  A great race once again to all.  Chris and Nate, I will return the favor to both for your help.