Ah the cozy confines of an office park crit...always good for some type of obstacle. In this particular one, the Tractor Trailer parked between turns 3 and 4 was our nemesis.
I was super nervous since I have not really done a race since September and have not done any real intensity or sprint work but I figured this would be a good way to get my feet wet again and see where I am at. Plus since it was a 3/4 35+ race, it would be a bit less crazy. It proved a good first test.
As usual I started in the back because I like to do circles while i wait for the race to start. But there were plenty of laps to move up. After 3 laps ˆ decided it was time to do just that. I moved up and stayed near the front of the 95+ size field. I also
identified a few guys and teams to watch and it paid off. Most of the race was typical, an early crash, no breaks getting away and a bunch of flats. With 5 laps to go thats when it starts to get interesting and this was when I really focused on who to follow. With 2 to go, I was sitting top 15 and just paying attention.
Coming to the bell lap it got a bit strung out which was good to prevent bunching and a crash. As we hit the back straight I was feeling really good but was looking for a wheel to follow. Then off the front a Metromint guy shot. A bit early I thought and so did everyone else because no one gave chase and he had a good lead by turn 3 & 4. This proved critical because
if you remember the tractor trailer...well everyone did and that meant the speed going into that turn 3 was slower than last year giving the Metromint guy all he needed to hold off the bunch in the LONG straightaway sprint to the finish.
In the end it was a clean race, a good work out and I snagged 10th. Either way its a top 10 and just like that, I'm racing again!!!
Monday, March 12, 2007
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