In the P-1-2 race were myself, Matt W., Cory, and Patrick.  Patrick had called an audible at the last minute and switched from the masters' race into the regular one.  Before the race started Matt and I were spinning around Columbus and Balbo, and we saw Patrick coming the other way.  He was chatting with none other than Frank Pipp of HealthNet...I had no idea we had such well-connected teammates!  Meanwhile back at camp, apparently Chris Horner stopped by for a chat.  I wasn't there so I don't know the story but it sounded cool.  He's the man.

 The race started.  The pack started, but the pace car stayed still.  I thought the race might be neutralized or something, but it wasn't.  I assumed my usual position of chilling at the back.  Up front, a substantial break had gone up the road.  About a quarter of the way through, I figured I was missing some of the action, so I decided to move up.  It took me a lap but by Michigan Avenue I was at the front.  All the major teams were up there, but they let a Rite-Aid guy and someone else go to try and bridge to the break.  I sensed I missed my opportunity to bridge, but I wasn't willing to give up.  Going into the last turn, I dove hard to the inside, and drilled it as hard as I could.  I didn't think about looking back until I'd gone a bloc for a good 200 or so meters.  When I did finally peek back, I saw that a Jelly Belly guy had grabbed my wheel, and the pack was strung out behind him.  Do'h!  I had gotten to within 10 meters of the Rite-Aid guy and the other dude.  I figured that since my team didn't have a guy up there, I might as well keep chasing Chris Horner, Fred Rodriguez and company.  When I pulled off, the pack kept chasing hard for another three or four laps.  I shot like 50 places back.

The break continued to gain ground, and eventually came close to lapping the field but started losing time as the finish approached.  As the pace quickened a few gaps opened up but I was never in any danger.  Before the race, I thought it would be the coolest thing ever if I managed to get Ivan Dominguez's wheel toward the end.  Dominguez didn't make the move, and had nothing to sprint for, but, since I was just basically a tourist in this race, I figured, why not go for it.  I rode up to some Toyota United guys, one of which was Dominguez. I sat on his wheel coming out of the final turn as we were getting the bell.  I happily pointed this out to my teammates, literally, by happily pointing to Dominguez as we rode by them.  Now, you're likely thinking, "that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard in my life.  Why bother to do that?"  Well, here's why:  (ahem)

"This one time, I had Ivan Dominguez's wheel on the bell lap of a crit."

 See?  I think that's cool.  Obviously it needs an asterisk.  It's not like I'm capable of winning or anything, so I have to have something with which to amuse myself for an hour and three quarters.  Thanks to everyone who made this race a success, and to all the friends and family who showed up. Especially thanks to Cory's family who bailed me out when the Mayor wouldn't let me out of the parking garage!